Unlocking the transformative potential of data science in improving maternal, newborn and child health in Africa: a scoping review protocol

Introduction Application of data science in maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) across Africa is variable with limited documentation. Despite efforts to reduce preventable MNCH morbidity and mortality, progress remains slow. Accurate data are crucial for holding countries accountable for trac...

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Main Authors: Eric Ohuma, Agbessi Amouzou, Abiy Seifu Estifanos, Phillip Wanduru, Samson Yohannes Amare, Joseph Akuze, Bancy Ngatia, Grieven P Otieno, Rornald M Kananura, Kirakoya-Samadoulougou Fati
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2024-12-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/12/e091883.full
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author Eric Ohuma
Agbessi Amouzou
Abiy Seifu Estifanos
Phillip Wanduru
Samson Yohannes Amare
Joseph Akuze
Bancy Ngatia
Grieven P Otieno
Rornald M Kananura
Kirakoya-Samadoulougou Fati
author_facet Eric Ohuma
Agbessi Amouzou
Abiy Seifu Estifanos
Phillip Wanduru
Samson Yohannes Amare
Joseph Akuze
Bancy Ngatia
Grieven P Otieno
Rornald M Kananura
Kirakoya-Samadoulougou Fati
author_sort Eric Ohuma
collection DOAJ
description Introduction Application of data science in maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) across Africa is variable with limited documentation. Despite efforts to reduce preventable MNCH morbidity and mortality, progress remains slow. Accurate data are crucial for holding countries accountable for tracking progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 3 targets on MNCH. Data science can improve data availability, quality, healthcare provision and decision-making for MNCH programmes. We aim to map and synthesise data science use cases in MNCH across Africa.Methods and analysis We will develop a conceptual framework encompassing seven domains: (1) infrastructure and systemic challenges, (2) data quality, (3) data governance, regulatory dynamics and policy, (4) technological innovations and digital health, (5) capacity development, human capital and opportunity, (6) collaborative and strategic frameworks and (7) recommendations for implementation and scaling.We will use a scoping review methodology involving literature searches in seven databases, grey literature sources and data extraction from the Digital Health Atlas. Three reviewers will screen articles and extract data. We will synthesise and present data narratively and use tables, figures and maps. Our structured search strategy across academic databases and grey literature sources will find relevant studies on data science in MNCH in Africa.Ethics and dissemination This scoping review does not require formal ethical review and approval because it will not involve collecting primary data. The findings will showcase gaps, opportunities, advances, innovations, implementation and areas needing additional research. They will also propose next steps for integrating data science in MNCH programmes in Africa. The implications of our findings will be examined in relation to possible methods for enhancing data science in MNCH, such as community and clinical settings, monitoring and evaluation. This study will illuminate data science applications in addressing MNCH issues and provide a holistic view of areas where gaps exist and where there are opportunities to leverage and tap into what already exists. The work will be relevant for stakeholders, policymakers and researchers in the MNCH field to inform planning. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, conferences, policy briefs, blogs and social media platforms.
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spelling doaj-art-e7bbb128fb984d16aa066d55fc932ccf2025-08-20T02:36:39ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552024-12-01141210.1136/bmjopen-2024-091883Unlocking the transformative potential of data science in improving maternal, newborn and child health in Africa: a scoping review protocolEric Ohuma0Agbessi Amouzou1Abiy Seifu Estifanos2Phillip Wanduru3Samson Yohannes Amare4Joseph Akuze5Bancy Ngatia6Grieven P Otieno7Rornald M Kananura8Kirakoya-Samadoulougou Fati92 Centre for Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive, and Child Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK9 Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA10 Center for Implementation Sciences (CIS), Addis Ababa University School of Public Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia1 Centre of Excellence for Maternal Newborn and Child Health Research, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda4 Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia2 Centre for Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive, and Child Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK2 Centre for Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive, and Child Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK6 Kenya Paediatric Research Consortium, Nairobi, Kenya1 Centre of Excellence for Maternal Newborn and Child Health Research, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda8 Centre de Rcherche en Epidémiologie, Biostatistique et Recherche Clnique, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, BelgiumIntroduction Application of data science in maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) across Africa is variable with limited documentation. Despite efforts to reduce preventable MNCH morbidity and mortality, progress remains slow. Accurate data are crucial for holding countries accountable for tracking progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 3 targets on MNCH. Data science can improve data availability, quality, healthcare provision and decision-making for MNCH programmes. We aim to map and synthesise data science use cases in MNCH across Africa.Methods and analysis We will develop a conceptual framework encompassing seven domains: (1) infrastructure and systemic challenges, (2) data quality, (3) data governance, regulatory dynamics and policy, (4) technological innovations and digital health, (5) capacity development, human capital and opportunity, (6) collaborative and strategic frameworks and (7) recommendations for implementation and scaling.We will use a scoping review methodology involving literature searches in seven databases, grey literature sources and data extraction from the Digital Health Atlas. Three reviewers will screen articles and extract data. We will synthesise and present data narratively and use tables, figures and maps. Our structured search strategy across academic databases and grey literature sources will find relevant studies on data science in MNCH in Africa.Ethics and dissemination This scoping review does not require formal ethical review and approval because it will not involve collecting primary data. The findings will showcase gaps, opportunities, advances, innovations, implementation and areas needing additional research. They will also propose next steps for integrating data science in MNCH programmes in Africa. The implications of our findings will be examined in relation to possible methods for enhancing data science in MNCH, such as community and clinical settings, monitoring and evaluation. This study will illuminate data science applications in addressing MNCH issues and provide a holistic view of areas where gaps exist and where there are opportunities to leverage and tap into what already exists. The work will be relevant for stakeholders, policymakers and researchers in the MNCH field to inform planning. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, conferences, policy briefs, blogs and social media platforms.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/12/e091883.full
spellingShingle Eric Ohuma
Agbessi Amouzou
Abiy Seifu Estifanos
Phillip Wanduru
Samson Yohannes Amare
Joseph Akuze
Bancy Ngatia
Grieven P Otieno
Rornald M Kananura
Kirakoya-Samadoulougou Fati
Unlocking the transformative potential of data science in improving maternal, newborn and child health in Africa: a scoping review protocol
BMJ Open
title Unlocking the transformative potential of data science in improving maternal, newborn and child health in Africa: a scoping review protocol
title_full Unlocking the transformative potential of data science in improving maternal, newborn and child health in Africa: a scoping review protocol
title_fullStr Unlocking the transformative potential of data science in improving maternal, newborn and child health in Africa: a scoping review protocol
title_full_unstemmed Unlocking the transformative potential of data science in improving maternal, newborn and child health in Africa: a scoping review protocol
title_short Unlocking the transformative potential of data science in improving maternal, newborn and child health in Africa: a scoping review protocol
title_sort unlocking the transformative potential of data science in improving maternal newborn and child health in africa a scoping review protocol
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/12/e091883.full
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