United Nations Regional Seminar on Census Data Archiving for Africa
Addis Ababa – Ethiopia, 20-23 September 2011
Boubacar Sow, Ph.D, UNFPA Advisor
I. Context1. Review of the NSI information systems
II. Presentation of IMIS1. Vision IMIS2. Mission of IMIS3. Specific objectives of IMIS4. Emerging considerations5. Benefits of IMIS
III. Conception and implementation1. Conceptual framework: data development2. Some products of IMIS3. Steps for development of IMIS
IV. Uses1. Imis project in the countries2. Country experiences3. Links
V. Conclusion1. Lessons learned2. Perspectives / proposals
Limited interaction between data producers and data users
Poor integration of data systems Inadequate knowledge of existing
data and information Poor accessibility to data and Poor
dissemination of information Inconsistencies of data systems
A reliable one-stop shop national data source with
multiple purposes including generation of indicators for
monitoring development programmes and the MDGs
Strengthening the partnership between producers and users of data
Consolidation of data files available in an integrated and centralized database
Quick and easy access to data by all potential users
Monitoring the development through the generation of indicators (MAP) including the MDGs
Assistance to the NSI to fulfill their role as depositary of data
Create integrated databases complete and coherent
Create a reliable network for sharing data and information
Develop a strong interface (but easy) of indicators calculation
Strengthen national technical capacity in generation and maintenance of databases
Facilitate the development of the culture of using Databases
Development Initiatives : SRP, MAP, .. UN system Reform :
CCA/UNDAF/CPD/CPAP Indicators : SRP, MAP, MDGs, ICPD … decentralization DevInfo ICT : which require the creation of
databases and dissemination by intranet (Local network) and Internet
Easy and rapid access to voluminous micro and macro data
Compatibility with most usual software
Export to dissemination software such as DevInfo
Security : data stored in compressed encrypted format
Original file no longer needed, hence removing the fear to share original data
Selection of universe and a combination of geographical areas for specific analysis
Enhancement of existing data systems
Assistance to NIS to play its role of repository of statistical data
PRS ICPDMDGs
CCA/UNDAF/CPDSWAPs
…..
1. Conceptual framework : DATA for DEVELOPMENT
SOURCES
1- Households-based operations
-Censuses, Surveys (DHS, MICS,
CWIQ, etc), Baseline ... 2- Routine information Systems
- Health, Education, other …..
3- Vital and registration systems
4- Socio-Cultural, Formative research 5- Other available databases
Integrated statistical database Web-based database
(intranet/internet) Set of relevant indicators at national
and decentralized levels Large number of partners using the
database (rapid and easy access) By-products :
harmonization of methodologies of data collection, processing and analysis
Preservation and dissemination of data.
• Analysis of existing statistical system• Interaction between producers and
users of data• Technical capacity building (course of 2-3
weeks)
• Definition and generation of indicators• Establishment of IMIS• Monitoring and Evaluation System• Posting on the Intranet / Internet• Culture of using databases• System maintenance (adding data)
IMIS activities initiated in the countries : Kenya, Madagascar, Comoros, Cameroon, CAR, Gabon,
Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Mauritius, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Rwanda, Niger…
Country Status
Rwanda Online
Cameroon Online
Gabon IMIS developed but not yet online
CAR IMIS developed but not yet online
Kenya --
Burkina Faso
IMIS developed but not yet online
Côte d’Ivoire
IMIS started, no other information
Madagascar
IMIS started, no other information
Comoros IMIS started, no other information
Sierra Leone
IMIS developed but not yet online
Niger IMIS developed but not yet online
Similarities Join local leaders in the project The implementation of the system is usually
defined by following the steps above The system is used for the dissemination of
census and survey indicators, the online processing and archiving
The problems with the quality of the data files is persistent
Loss of some data files and metadata recurring
Differences In some countries, IMIS has been
used for the analysis of the GPHC, including Burundi, Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso
Skills of local teams very different which slowed the progress of the implementation of IMIS in some countries
Challenges: Uploaded IMIS in the countries: the system is developed in some countries but is not yet available online, especially for technical, material and organizational reasons.
Update existing applications
Redatam: http://www.eclac.cl/redatam/
Indicators: http://www.eclac.cl/cgi-bin/getprod.asp?xml=/redatam/noticias/paginas/2/12892/P12892.xml&xsl=/redatam/tpl/p18f.xsl&base=/redatam/tpl-i/top-bottom.xsl
Online Census: http://www.eclac.cl/cgi-bin/getProd.asp?xml=/redatam/noticias/paginas/7/13277/P13277.xml&xsl=/redatam/tpl/p18f.xsl&base=/redatam/tpl/top-bottom.xsl
Cameroon: http://imis.stat.cm
Rwanda: http://www.imisrwanda.gov.rw
To implement IMIS in the countries, it is important to have a local team including computer scientists, statisticians and demographers in charge of calculating and interpreting the indicators, the project leaders and all those resources with knowledge of the surveys or censuses to incorporate into the system.
The posting is a bit difficult in some cases. IMIS is very useful and appropriate to:
Integrity checking and data quality Data analysis of GPHC
The regional office would help countries to the posting of IMIS. To my knowledge, there are only two countries in Africa who have their online system. By cons, in Latin America, all countries have their census online (see links)
Two options envisaged: Use a single host professional with whom we will work
for the online databases of all countries Support at the country level the online hosting using a
technical specific infrastructure or a local host Support for the finalization and validation of
IMIS of countries