Remarks

• This recommendation has been adapted and integrated from the 2018 WHO recommendations on homebased records for maternal, newborn and child health (283), where the overall certainty of evidence was judged to be low.
• A home-based record – such as women-held case notes, vaccination cards, child health books or integrated maternal and child health books – is a health document used to record the history of health services received by an individual. It is kept in the household, in either paper or electronic format, by the individual or their caregiver and is intended to be integrated into the health information system and to complement records maintained by health facilities.
• The source guideline notes that there was insufficient evidence available to determine if any specific type, format or design of home-based record is more effective. It noted that policy-makers should involve stakeholders to discuss the important considerations relating to the type, content and implementation of home-based records.
• The following remarks were among those made by the Guideline Development Group responsible for the original recommendation.
• Countries currently using home-based records should consider appropriate use, design and content, as well as sustainable financing, to maximize their use and impact.
• In remote and fragile settings, where health systems are weak or where health information systems are absent or poor, and in locations where caregivers may use multiple health facilities, home-based records may be of greater value than in more developed settings and health systems.