Challenges in Maternal and Child Health Routine Data Administration in Indonesia: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: Maternal and child health (MCH) routine data is essential in making a good health-related
policy. However, the quality of MCH routine data in Indonesia is doubted, and thus the Indonesian government
relies heavily on the survey data for policymaking. This condition raises questions about where the problems
exist in routine data recording stages. This study aims to explore the barriers and strategies of MCH routine
data recording by the administrators in the primary healthcare center.Method: This study was qualitative
research conducted in Buru Regency, Ambon City, Purworejo Regency, and Surakarta City from May to
November 2020. The data collections were intended to understand administrators’ efforts to deal with the data
recording problems. Data triangulation was performed through in-depth interviews with primary healthcare
center staff and observations on daily routine data administration practices.Results: The study demonstrated
challenges in the MCH routine data administration context. The first problem is behavioral contexts lead to
incorrect input and delay data submission. Second, technical determinant shows the lack of integration that
leads to repetitive data recording and data fragmentation. The third was the organizational problem such
as lack of inter and intra-departmental coordination in data sharing, infrastructure, and human resource
shortage.Conclusion: The findings elucidate the problem of administrative structures in the implementation
of routine data policy. A comprehensive response to cope with routine data policy implementation context
is needed. Existing maternal and child healthcare routine data requires structural administration refinement
that provides a context for implementing reliable routine data recording of maternal and child health.