Learner's Guide to Indicators¶
ما هو هذا الدليل؟¶
This guide contains all exercises and detailed steps to perform them related to the review of indicators for the Design for Data Use Level 1 academy. Please perform each of the exercises when prompted to by your instructors
الأهداف التعليمية لهذه الجلسة¶
- Define indicators in DHIS2
- Create outputs using indicators and indicator groups
- Create indicators in the maintenance app
- Create indicator groups and group sets in the maintenance app
- Describe the relationship between indicators and analytics
Exercise 1 - Review the different types of indicators via the analysis apps¶
Perform this exercise in the DEMONSTRATION system
Review the chart "EPI - Routine coverage (%), this year"¶
This chart shows us coverage rates, but applies the principles of annualisation. Numerators for the indicators on display are taken from data entered in DHIS2 on a monthly basis, however the denominators are yearly population estimates. In this scenario, the numerator is being multipled by a factor of 12 such that the annualised output can be displayed month-to-month.
Review the chart BCG coverage (%), this year¶
This is annualised as we have discussed, but the numerator for this indicator is actually using the attribute category for results directly in its formula.
Remember, the immunization data is divided into targets and results (you can review in data entry again if needed); so if we make an indicator and do not include our attribute category in our numerator, the indicator is going to give us a value including the targets + results; which would give us an incorrect value.
Create a new chart using indicator groups¶
We have already used indicator groups before to make an output using indicators. It is very useful to have this on hand so we can filter our indicators when we are searching for items. After we make our indicators, it is good practice that we place them in groups so we can find them more easily.
Create a new chart by selecting File -> New
Chart Type - Year over year (line)
Data - Data Type : Indicators - Indicator group: Immunization - coverages - Indicator Name: OPV3 Coverage
It is a lot easier selecting our items from such lists then navigating all data items, particularly if we are not familiar with the data collection or system set up in detail.
Organisation unit - Lao
Series - This year, last 5 years
Category - Months per year
Exercise 2 - Create indicators in maintenance¶
Perform this exercise in the CUSTOMIZATION system
Navigate to Maintenance -> Indicators
You will be provided with a list of 6 modules
- Indicator: Used for creating the indicator itself
- Indicator type: For creating the multiplying factor
- Indicator group: For creating groups for indicators with similar characteristics
- Indicator group set: For creating groups of indicator groups
Program indicators and program indicator groups are for tracker and will not be covered here.
In this example, let us create an indicator for EPI - BCG coverage (%). The formula for this indicator is EPI - BCG doses given <1 year/Live births * 100%. This information is taken from Immunization form section : Vaccine administration children.
Review indicator type creation¶
In order to create this indicator, we will need to make sure the factor of 100 is already there. If we navigate to factor, we will see that it is already there so we do not need to create (it is labelled as percentage with a factor of 100).
If we needed to create an indicator type, the process is very simple. Select the plus button to create the new indicator type then give it a name and factor.
Create a new indicator¶
Now that we checked (or created) our indicator type, it is time to create our indicator. Navigate to the indicator in the maintenance app. This indicator (EPI - BCG Coverage %) is already available but we are going to create it for the sake of demonstration
Select the plus sign to create the indicator.
Give the indicator a name, short name, code and description. Here is the description
The estimated proportion of new students that have enrolled in a primary school within a given period
Also, use the Percentage indicator type, since we will be multiplying this indicator by a factor of 100.
Scroll down to edit the numerator and denominator of the indicator
First the numerator
Search for BCG doses given and select < 1 year.
Then the denominator
Search for GEN - Pouplation Live births.
With this information selected, save the indicator. Note that you won't be able to use the indicator until the analytics process is run.
Exercise 3 - Create an indicator using an attribute¶
Perform this exercise in the CUSTOMIZATION system
Next, let us create the indicator for BCG Coverage <1 Donor 1 (%). This indicator has a couple unique propoerties
- It is annualized
- It uses an attribute category (Results) in its numerator
The formula for this indicator is
- Numerator : BCG doses given < 1, Donor
- Denominator : Total BCG doses given
- Factor/Indicator Type : Percentage (x100)
Navigate back to Maintenance -> Indicator and create a new indicator.
Give the indicator a name, short name, code and description. Here is the description
The estimated % of children < 1 Donor 1 that have been given a BCG vaccination
This indicator should be annualized so it can calculate monthly coverages using yearly population totals. Make sure this item is selected.
Also, use the Percentage indicator type, since we will be multiplying this indicator by a factor of 100.
Scroll down to edit the numerator and denominator of the indicator
First the numerator
Search for EPI - BCG doses given <1 year.
Do you see an issue with this at ths point in time?
The immunization data set is seperated into Donor 1 and Donor 2. If we take the total for this data element without seperating it by these attribute categories, we will get the wrong value. We need to add in the attribute category to our numerator; but there is no option to review the attribute categories whe we are editing the indicator!
We can add this into our formula but it is a bit of a hidden feature. We need to find the id of the attribute category option combination, then we can add it into our indicator.
Search for the category option combination ID¶
In a new tab (do not close the indicator tab) navigate to Maintenance -> Category option combination, and search for results, select the action button and show details
You should be able to retrive the ID of this item. Copy the ID and head back to your indicator tab.
You now need to add the attribute category option combination to your numerator formula.
do this by adding a period after the disaggregate category combination id followed by the ID of the attribute category option combination.
You will see that the description at the bottom now shows "Donor 1" as it has recognized this ID in your formula.
Save the numerator.
Then edit the denominator
Search for Total BCG doses given and add this to your denominator.
With this information selected, save the indicator. Note to the participants that you won't be able to use the indicator until the analytics process is run.
Exercise 4 - Working with logical expressions¶
Create the indicator “MAL - Inpatient cases decline(%).” This is already available but we are going to create it for the sake of practice.
Select the plus sign to create the indicator.
Give the indicator a name, short name, code and description. Here is the description
“Decline in inpatient malaria cases expressed as “cases reported in the previous period minus cases reported in the current period divided by cases reported in the previous period” within a given period”
Also, use the Percentage indicator type, since we will be multiplying this indicator by a factor of 100.
Scroll down to edit the numerator and denominator of the indicator
First the numerator
The numerator description should be “Inpatient malaria cases previous period - Inpatient malaria cases current period”
Search for “MAL - Inpatient malaria cases”, select the total without the category option Combinations, click the .periodOffset( and append to the data element expression with a factor of -1. This will be the expression for “Inpatient malaria cases previous period”.
Add a minus sign after the expression and again search for “MAL - Inpatient malaria cases”, select the total without the category option Combinations, don’t add the periodOffset
Then the denominator
The denominator description should be “Inpatient malaria cases previous period”
Search for “MAL - Inpatient malaria cases”, select the total without the category option Combinations, click the .periodOffset and append to the data element expression with a factor of -1. This will be the expression for “Inpatient malaria cases previous period”.
With this information selected, save the indicator. Note that you won't be able to use the indicator until the analytics process is run.
Exercise 5 - Review the process of creating indicator groups¶
Perform this exercise in the CUSTOMIZATION system
Navigate to Maintenance -> Indicator -> Indicator group
- Click the add button.
- Type in name of the indicator group
- Select and assign all required indicators
- Select the save button
Now that the indicator group has been created, users can now easily retrieve a list of assigned indicators to the above group just by selecting the group rather than going through the entire list of indicators to look for the specific indicators.
Wait for the instructor to run analytics¶
Then you can go to data visualizer or maps and test the indicators you have created.