Objective  To compare health risk prevention and control capability of maternal health information system in Beijing and Shanghai and to explore the method for quantitative evaluation on the capability and the feasibility of the evaluation.

  Methods  We systematically collected research literatures and public information on the prevention and control of specific maternal health risks published by government agencies and medical institutions via maternal health information system of Beijing and Shanghai between 2004 and 2017. A comprehensive quantitative method was adopted to assess health risk prevention and control capability of the maternal health information system in Beijing and Shanghai and Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the association of the capability of the information system with maternal mortality of the two cities.

  Results  During the 14-year period, totally 81 literatures or pieces of information on health risk prevention and control were published through maternal health information system of Beijing; from 2004 to 2007, the annual number of the published literatures and pieces of information was less than 4, with a decreased health risk prevention and control capability index from 4.73% to 3.58%; while from 2008 to 2017, the annual number was between 5 and 11, with an increased health risk prevention and control capability index from 5.42% to 7.61%. During the same period, only 26 literatures or pieces of information on health risk prevention and control were published through maternal health information system of Shanghai, with an increased health risk prevention and control capability index from 0% in 2007 to 3.73% in 2014 and a decreased capability index of 3.11% in 2017. There was no correlation was observed between health risk prevention and control capability and maternal mortality in both Beijing and Shanghai.

  Conclusion  The health risk prevention and control capability of the maternal health information system in Beijing and Shanghai were improved slowly, without obvious impacts on maternal health in the two cities, and less improvement was achieved for the capability in Shanghai. The study results highlight the feasibility of quantitative evaluation on health risk prevention and control capability of a health information system.