Controlled impact evaluation of a birth registration intervention, Burkina Faso

Objective To evaluate the impact of the introduction of secondary civil registration centres on birth registrations within 60 days of birth, in Burkina Faso. Methods The faith-based organization Sant'Egidio supported the inauguration of secondary birth registration centres within seven health centres in Réo from July 2015 and four health centres in Godyr from February 2015, at which delivery and vaccination services were available. We calculated the number of timely registrations per 1000 population before and after the launch of the intervention in both the intervention and control municipalities. We used a logistic regression model to evaluate the probability of non-registration as a function of the health centre services used and various demographic and health characteristics, obtained through health registers data and interviews. Findings Compared with the previous 12 months, the number of timely birth registrations in Réo and Godyr rose from 502 to 2094 (317.1%) and from 267 to 793 (197.0%) during the first 12 months of the intervention. In the two control municipalities, the numbers were unchanged. Infants whose mothers attended health centres for delivery, but did not return for vaccinations, had the lowest proportions of birth registration (69.0%; 294/426; in Réo and 70.2%; 40/57 in Godyr). Infants of mothers who were not interviewed were more likely to not having a timely birth registration (in Réo odds ratio, OR: 6.25; 95% confidence interval, CI: 4.10­9.52 and in Godyr OR: 25.64; 95% CI: 4.31­166.67).Conclusion Introduction of secondary registration centres within health centres increased timely birth registrations

A medical birth registry at kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre

Objective: To establish a medical birth registry intended to serve clinical; administrative and research purposes. Methods: Starting in July 2000; every birth at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC) in Moshi; Tanzania has been recorded in a separate database. The information is obtained through personal interviews with each mother; conducted by specially trained midwives; and supplied with data from the medical records. A secretary enters the data into the electronic file. Data are collected about the mother and father: education; occupation and living conditions; mother's health before and during present pregnancy; expected date of delivery; smoking and drinking (alcohol) habits; use of drugs; plus HIV and syphilis status (if known). This is followed by particulars on the delivery: spontaneous or induced; and complications; the child or children: weight; height and Apgar score; malformations and other diagnoses. Mode of birth: spontaneous or operative intervention. If perinatal death: when? Transfer to intensive neonatal unit? The mother's reproductive history (births; miscarriages; ectopic pregnancies) is also recorded; with outcomes. Results: We describe the process based on more than six years' experience; including obstacles and how they were overcome. The registry serves as a monitoring tool; with a set of key activities and events being issued monthly; indicating changes and trends in; e.g.; bleeding complications; caesarean section rates and perinatal mortality; as early warning signs. Monthly reports on key issues are presented. Confidentiality and data protection are key issues. Day-to-day recording of births is vulnerable to personnel shortage; whether from disease or holidays.Conclusions: Validation and quality checks leave the overall impression that the database is largely accurate and credible. There are plenty of opportunities for research. Clinicians and epidemiologists will profit