01849nas a2200205 4500000000100000008004100001260003800042653001700080653001300097653003000110653002400140653001100164653001700175100001500192245010800207300001000315520127500325022002501600020001801625 2023 d bSpringer International Publishing10aData Sources10ainternet10aHealth information system10aNational Statistics10aMobile10aSocial Media1 aMakinde OA00aTraditional and Non-traditional Data Sources Useful in Research in African Health and Medical Geography a71-903 a

Population and institution-based data sources have traditionally been the source of data for measuring national development plans including the sustainable development goals. There is an ever increasing need to improve the assessment of the health of people and the social determinants of health, especially as it relates to where people live by national statistical offices (NSOs). Knowledge from these investigations help in understanding diseases, planning for interventions and mitigating the impact of various health risks. NSOs are having difficulty meeting the data needs for the measurement of various health and development interventions including the sustainable development goals. Non-traditional data sources may hold the key in addressing the shortcomings of currently known methods but are still not well embedded in data generation processes by NSOs in low-income and middle-income countries, especially Africa. The non-traditional/emerging data sources include citizen science/crowdsourced data, search engine queries, social media data, mobile phone records and data from sensors. These non-traditional data sources can redefine the measurement of health and development interventions in Africa and require additional attention by stakeholders.

 a2522-8005, 2522-8013 a9783031412677