Table 5.

Recommendations for improving birthweight data

	Potential approaches
Ensure accurate birthweight for all births
Equipment	Improve availability and maintenance of suitable devices for birthweight measurement in all locations where births occur (facility or community). Establish minimum standards for equipment, including precision and scale type.
Training–human resources	Develop and disseminate protocols and guidelines. Preservice and in-service birthweight measurement training. Promote culture of weighing all babies (including the smallest and sickest). Identify and address barriers to weighing (eg, layout, staffing, etc). Improve awareness of clinical and public health importance of birthweight (eg, local data use in birthweight specific mortality).
Ensure all birthweights captured in data systems
Data management	Standardise and streamline recording process for clinical staff, reduce repetitive recording.
Data coverage	Improve coverage of routine data systems in all facilities (including private) and timeliness of reporting. In settings with high rates of home birth, strengthen weighing in the community (eg, by CHW or TBA and link to health data system). Improve coverage of birth certificates and health cards including birthweight and motivate for birthweight to be included on all birth certificates.
Maximise data quality
Data quality	Ensure minimum data collated (including number LBW, number weighed, number missing birthweight). Data quality checks and feedback as required. Correct data for heaping where required. Promote data literacy so that poor data are recognised and improved.
Use data to inform policy
Data use	Improve timely data availability and use at local, district, and national level for policy, programming, and practice.

CHW=community health worker. TBA=traditional birth attendant.