From 3 to 7 November 2025, the Countdown to 2030 Country Collaboration in Mauritania, with technical support from the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), convened a national data analysis workshop focused on Sexual and Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent Health and Nutrition (SRMNIA-Nutrition). The workshop marked a key milestone in operationalizing the Mauritania Countdown workplan launched in October 2024.
Why This Workshop Mattered?
Routine health data are central to evidence-informed decision-making. Yet, gaps in data quality, analysis, and use often limit their potential to guide policy and improve service delivery. The objective of this workshop was to strengthen the capacity of district-level focal points to analyze, interpret, and use data from the National Health Information System (SNIS) to inform policies, guide interventions, and contribute meaningfully to the annual health sector review.
APHRC’s support focused on two critical areas such as:
- Strengthening analytical skills for RMNCAH-Nutrition indicators; and
- Improving the communication and use of evidence for policy engagement.
The workshop combined technical discussions and hands-on exercises to strengthen participants’ understanding of the National Health Information System (SNIS) and key data quality challenges affecting SRMNIA-Nutrition indicators. Participants reviewed routine data processes, identified reporting gaps and inconsistencies, and discussed practical approaches to improve the reliability and use of data for planning, monitoring, and annual sector reviews.
Practical sessions focused on data analysis and visualization using Excel, DHIS2, and introductory applications of R and Stata. Emphasis was placed on transforming data into clear graphs, tables, and analytical narratives that can effectively inform policy dialogue and decision-making, while reinforcing the link between data analysis, communication, and action.
The workshop resulted in a clear strengthening of analytical capacities among SNIS focal points, enabling more effective use of routine SRMNIA-Nutrition data for monitoring and decision-making. Participants expanded their familiarity with advanced analytical tools, including R and Stata, complementing existing skills in Excel and DHIS2. Importantly, the workshop also enhanced participants’ ability to translate data into clear, policy-relevant messages, supporting stronger reporting, more informed sector reviews, and improved evidence-based dialogue with decision-makers.
Looking Ahead
This workshop represents an important step in strengthening Mauritania’s data-to-decision ecosystem. By building local analytical and communication capacities, the Countdown to 2030 Country Collaboration is supporting the use of timely, high-quality evidence to inform policies, improve service delivery, and accelerate progress for women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health and nutrition.