Indonesia’s Sample Registration System in 2018: A Work in Progress

Background The Indonesian national Sample Registration System (SRS) is a source of vital statistical information. This article describes the design of the SRS along with an analysis of its performance during its inception period from 2014 to 2017. Methods The SRS was assessed according to the following criteria: sample size utilisation, population coverage, and mortality recording procedures/data management.International standard mortality indicators by age, sex, and cause, along with an assessment of data quality, were estimated for 2016. Results  The SRS covers a population of 8.6 million in 128 sub-districts (103 rural and 25 urban). Births and deaths are continuously recorded by local community health centres and causes of death are ascertained through verbal autopsy methods. From 2014 to 2017, mortality data completeness ranged from 55-72%, with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and chronic obstructive lung diseases, along with tuberculosis and transport accidents, being recorded as leading causes of death. However, as a result of the low level of completeness, total mortality indicators for the SRS population are questionable. Discussion As of 2018, system strengthening initiatives to increase data reliability and utility and thus to improve SRS performance and enhance its sustainability are being implemented by a collaboration of academic institutions. It is intended that lessons from the Indonesian SRS can guide vital statistics development programs in other settings.