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Getting the numbers right: Power, creativity and ‘good’ routine maternal and neonatal health data in Southern Tanzania

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  • Molenaar, Jil
  • Kikula, Amani
  • van Olmen, Josefien
  • Pembe, Andrea
  • Beňová, Lenka

Abstract

What makes routine maternal and neonatal health data to be ‘good quality’? That depends on whom you ask – the people collecting and reporting these data across health system levels have different priorities and face varying constraints. Data are constructed by people, about people, and they both reflect and impact human interactions. This study analyses the power dynamics shaping how routine health data are collected and reported in labour wards of two hospitals in Southern Tanzania. We draw from focused ethnographic observation at these two labour wards and 29 in-depth qualitative interviews with health care workers (HCWs), hospital leaders, and relevant district- and regional-level managers.

Suggested Citation

  • Molenaar, Jil & Kikula, Amani & van Olmen, Josefien & Pembe, Andrea & Beňová, Lenka, 2025. "Getting the numbers right: Power, creativity and ‘good’ routine maternal and neonatal health data in Southern Tanzania," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 366(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:366:y:2025:i:c:s0277953624011225
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117668
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