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Table 1 Summary of key data sources for HTA in Ghana

From: What do we need to know? Data sources to support evidence-based decisions using health technology assessment in Ghana

HTA-related information

Data Source

Institution

Collection method

Equity aspect

Website

Comment

1. Epidemiology

Population profile

Census

Ghana Statistical Service

Survey

Yes

http://www.statsghana.gov.gh/

Last census 2010

 Demographics

Vital statistics

Births and deaths registry

Register, verbal autopsy

Unknown

http://www.eservices.gov.gh/bdr/SitePages/bdr-home.aspx

Many deaths not recorded, causes unknown

Burden of Disease

Burden of disease

Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation

Health information system

Yes

http://www.healthdata.org/ghana

Disaggregated data – need to apply for access

DHS

DHS

DHS Programme

Survey

Yes

https://dhsprogram.com/Publications/Publication-Search.cfm?ctry_id=14&country=Ghana

https://dhsprogram.com/what-we-do/survey/survey-display-437.cfm

Latest DHS was in 2014

Current DHS is being validated

MICS

MICS

UNICEF, Ghana Statistical Service

Unknown

Unknown

http://mics.unicef.org/surveys

2011 available

MICS6 (2017–18) is being analysed

Disease profiles

DHIMS

GHS (CHIMG)

HIS

Yes

https://www.facebook.com/CHIMGH/?fref=ts

Access – permission required

Disease surveillance

GHS

Disease surveillance Dept., Public Health

HIS

Unknown

http://www.ghanahealthservice.org/division-scat.php?ghsdid=10&ghsscid=58

Communicable and non-communicable diseases

Ghana HIS indicators

GHS

Measure

Collation

No

https://www.measureevaluation.org/his-strengthening-resource-center/country-profiles/ghana

Some reports published

Raw data may be available

2. Clinical efficacy

Efficacy – trials

Trials of interventions

Industry mostly

Trials

Often sparse (Chiu – Sam)

Published literature (e.g. PubMed)

Few trials in Ghana

Clinical Trials Department

Food & Drugs Authority

Register

No

https://fdaghana.gov.gh/index.php/clinical-trials-department/

Authorisation and monitoring of clinical trials

Pan African Clinical Trials Registry

PACTR

Register

No

http://www.pactr.org/

International Clinical Trials Registry Platform http://www.who.int/ictrp/en/

Regional register of clinical trials conducted in Africa

Efficacy – systematic reviews

Cochrane Library

Cochrane Library, Wiley

–

–

http://www.cochranelibrary.com/help/access-options-for-cochrane-library.html

Access is provided by internet protocol country recognition

Safety

Pharmacovigilance

Food & Drugs Authority

Unknown

Unknown

https://fdaghana.gov.gh/index.php/safety-monitoring-department/

May have adverse event reporting system

Medical research

Division of Research & Development

GHS

–

No

http://www.ghanahealthservice.org/ghs-division.php?ghs&ghsdid=11

–

3. Costs

Health expenditure

National Heath Accounts

MoH

WHO

NHA

Unknown

https://knoema.com/WHONHA2018Feb/national-health-accounts?country=1000200-ghana

Not easily accessible

Medicines prices

NHIS list

NHIA

Central decisions

No

http://www.nhis.gov.gh/News/what-you-need-to-know-about-nhis-medicines-list-4130

Some delays in updating costs each year

Survey

WHO & HAI

Survey

May have data for regions

http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Js18074en/

2004 published, 2018 survey completed (MoH)

Health services

NHIS tariffs

NHIA & GHS

Central decisions

No

Benefits package

http://www.nhis.gov.gh/benefits.aspx

Not current for tariffs, cost manual is underway, based on the JLN model

Private health insurance

PHI bodies

Claims

Possible

http://www.nhis.gov.gh/phis.aspx

–

OOP costs

DHS

–

Survey

Yes

See 2014 report

Unsure if can access raw data

4. Service use

Health services

NHIS

NHIA

Claims

Yes

Benefits package

http://www.nhis.gov.gh/benefits.aspx

Mostly paper-based; 30% electronic

DHIMS

GHS (CHIMG)

HIS

Possible

https://www.facebook.com/CHIMGH/?fref=ts

Centre for Health information Management Ghana

Access – permission required

Annual report

GHS

Report

No

http://www.ghanahealthservice.org/downloads/GHS_ANNUAL_REPORT_2016_n.pdf

Published: Annual report 2016;

Facts and Figures 2018

PHI

PHI companies

Claims

Possible

http://www.nhis.gov.gh/phis.aspx

–

Healthcare Access and Quality Index

GBD study 1990–2015

Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation

Collation

Possible

http://www.healthdata.org/research-article/healthcare-access-and-quality-index-based-mortality-causes-amenable-personal-health

Based on mortality from causes amenable to personal healthcare

5. Quality of life

DALY

GBD study

Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation

Database

NA

http://www.healthdata.org/ghana

No local disability weights

6. Equity

 Epidemiology

DHS

GHS

Survey

Area, gender, income, literacy

https://dhsprogram.com/what-we-do/survey/survey-display-437.cfm

Unsure if access to disaggregated data

Service use

NHIS

NHIA

Database

Districts, gender

Benefits package http://www.nhis.gov.gh/benefits.aspx

Unsure if access to disaggregated data

DHIMS

GHS

Database

Districts

GHS access only

Unsure if access to disaggregated data

Equitable strategies

EQUIST tool

UNICEF

Collation

Districts

http://www.equist.info/en/dashboard

Considering adoption, recent study tour in India

Healthcare Access and Quality Index

GBD study 1990–2015

Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation

Collation

Yes

http://www.healthdata.org/research-article/healthcare-access-and-quality-index-based-mortality-causes-amenable-personal-health

Based on mortality from causes amenable to personal healthcare

  1. CHIMG Centre for Health information Management Ghana, DALY disability-adjusted life year, DHIMS District Health Information Management System, DHS Demographic Health Survey, EQUIST Equitable Strategies to Save Lives, GBD Global Burden of Disease, GHS Ghana Health Service, HAI Health Action International, HIS Health Insurance Scheme, JLN Joint Learning Network, MICS Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys, MoH Ministry of Health, NA not available, NHA National Health Accounts, NHIA National Health Insurance Authority, NHIS National Health Insurance Scheme, OOP out-of-pocket, PHI private health insurance