EXISTENCE OF INFORMATION SYSTEM REPORTS AT ALL LEVELS OF THE HEALTH SYSTEM
THAT SHOW: A) INVENTORY BALANCE FOR CONTRACEPTIVES AND OTHER RH
COMMODITIES, B) QUANTITY OF CONTRACEPTIVES AND/OR OTHER RH COMMODITIES
DISPENSED OR ISSUED
Definition:
The existence of information system reports at all levels of the health system – from the distribution or warehouse
level down to the point of service delivery - that show: a) inventory balance (stock on hand) for contraceptive
and/or other reproductive health (RH) commodities; and b) quantity of contraceptives and/or other RH
commodities dispensed or issued during a specified reporting period. The reports should be completed on a
regular basis according to the design of the reporting system, generally either monthly or quarterly.
Data Requirements:
Information system reports at all levels of the health system
Data Sources:
Reporting forms at each level of the health system; list of existing contraceptive/RH facilities/service
delivery points
Purpose:
This indicator measures whether essential logistics data items are reported and is an important indicator for supply
chain capacity and performance. A program’s tracking of inventory and the quantity of specific commodities
dispensed indicates capacity to conduct physical inventories, monitor forecasts and consumption, and potentially
prevent stockouts at all levels of the health system.
In general, reports generated from an organized and well-maintained information system are a core component of
a functioning health system. They allow information produced from various levels to be tracked, managed and
integrated, in order to: analyze trends; determine system strengths and weaknesses; and maximize effectiveness
and efficiency. Information system reports are also key in assessing whether goals are being reached, and if not,
how to target resources in order to meet them in the future.
Issue(s):
This indicator does not measure the timeliness, completeness, or accuracy of the reports or the quality of the
inventory being referenced. For example, a respondent may confirm that the quantity of products dispensed is
included in their information system reports, however, the quantity in the report may not reflect the actual
quantity at the service delivery point level.
In addition, this indicator does not leave room for nuance or explanation. It requires respondents to classify
situations by answering YES or NO, even if the reality on the ground is not so clear. For example, when asked if
information system reports at all levels of the system show stock on hand, some respondents may answer YES only
if every level of the system does, while others may answer YES if most of the levels (or most of the facilities in each
level) do, biasing the results and making it difficult to compare country outcomes.
This indicator should be analyzed in conjunction with the following other indicators: INCLUSION OF THE 11 KEY
CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS ON THE NATIONAL ESSENTIAL MEDICINES LIST; PERCENT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
FORECASTED CONSUMPTION AND ACTUAL CONSUMPTION; COMPLETION OF AT LEAST ONE PHYSICAL
INVENTORY OF ALL DESIGNATED COMMODITIES EVERY YEAR AT STORAGE FACILITIES AT ALL LEVELS BY THE
PROGRAM; AND PERCENT OF FACILITIES THAT EXPERIENCED A STOCKOUT AT ANY POINT DURING A GIVEN
TIME PERIOD.
References:
USAID | DELIVER PROJECT, Task Order 1. 2009. LOGISTICS SYSTEM ASSESSMENT TOOL (LSAT). Arlington, Va.:
USAID | DELIVER PROJECT, Task Order 1.
USAID | DELIVER PROJECT, Task Order 1. 2010. MEASURING CONTRACEPTIVE SECURITY INDICATORS IN 36
COUNTRIES. Arlington, Va.: USAID | DELIVER PROJECT, Task Order 1.