Occurrence and motivations for referral and data reporting among informal healthcare providers in urban informal settlements in Southeast Nigeria

OBJECTIVES: Establishing effective systems that enable informal healthcare providers (IHPs) to refer complicated cases and share service data with the formal health system is essential for improving quality services and coordination. METHODS: This qualitative study explored the motivations of IHPs to refer patients and share health information in eight urban informal settlements in two eastern states, Enugu and Anambra in Nigeria. Data were collected through 32 in-depth interviews with purposively selected IHPs. RESULTS: Findings revealed that IHPs refer patients and share some patient information. However, the recording and sharing of patients' data was uncommon among most IHPs. Altruism was reported by IHPs as a motivator for improving care and linking with the formal sector to save lives. However, there are ad hoc and unsystematic links between formal and informal providers. CONCLUSION: Understanding these motivations is vital for designing strategies to strengthen collaboration and establish sustainable referral and data-sharing systems within Nigeria's mixed health system.