Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025)

View Issue TOC

A Time-Series Forecasting Model for Evaluating Efficiency Gains in Rwanda's Community Health Centre Systems: A Methodological Intervention, 2000–2026

Jean de Dieu Uwimana, University of Rwanda Aline Umutoniwase, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rwanda
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18951065
Published: November 11, 2025

Abstract

Evaluating the efficiency of community health centre systems in low-resource settings remains methodologically challenging, particularly for capturing longitudinal gains and informing future resource allocation. This study aimed to develop and validate a novel time-series forecasting model to quantify longitudinal efficiency gains within a national community health centre system, using Rwanda as a case study. We constructed an intervention study using longitudinal administrative data. The core methodological intervention was a Bayesian structural time-series model, specified as $y_t = Z_t^\alpha \alpha_t + \epsilon_t$, $\alpha_{t+1} = T_t \alpha_t + R_t \eta_t$, where $y_t$ is the observed efficiency metric. The model estimates counterfactual trends to measure deviations attributable to systemic interventions, with inference based on posterior probability intervals. The model application indicates a sustained positive trajectory in systemic efficiency, with a posterior probability exceeding 0.95 that the observed gains are attributable to the implemented support structures. A key theme was the critical role of integrated supply chain management in driving these gains. The proposed forecasting model provides a robust methodological tool for quantifying longitudinal efficiency improvements in community health systems, moving beyond cross-sectional assessment. Health systems researchers and policymakers should adopt similar forecasting frameworks for longitudinal programme evaluation. National health ministries should integrate such models into routine monitoring and evaluation to forecast the impact of planned investments. health systems efficiency, time-series analysis, forecasting model, community health, Bayesian inference, programme evaluation This paper introduces a novel Bayesian counterfactual forecasting framework for health systems research, providing a validated method to attribute longitudinal efficiency gains to specific policy periods.

Full Text:

Read the Full Article

The HTML galley is loaded below for inline reading and better discovery.

How to Cite

Jean de Dieu Uwimana, Aline Umutoniwase (2025). A Time-Series Forecasting Model for Evaluating Efficiency Gains in Rwanda's Community Health Centre Systems: A Methodological Intervention, 2000–2026. African Food Systems Research (Interdisciplinary - incl Agri/Env), Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18951065

Keywords

Health systems researchTime-series analysisSub-Saharan AfricaCommunity health centresEfficiency evaluationMethodological interventionLow-resource settings

Research Snapshot

Desktop reading view
Language
EN
Formats
HTML + PDF
Publication Track
Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025)
Current Journal
African Food Systems Research (Interdisciplinary - incl Agri/Env)

References