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Background: Reliable and timely health information is an essential foundation of public health
action and health systems strengthening both nationally and internationally. A well-functioning
health information system is one that ensures the production, analysis, dissemination and use of
reliable and timely health information by decision-makers at deferent levels of the health system.
Objective: The overall objective of this study is to assess the level of HMIS data quality,
information use and the associated factors in public health facilities of Sidama Zone.
Methodology: A cross sectional facility based study was conducted in Sidama Zone health
facilities from February to March 2018. Quantitative data was collected using structured
questionnaires and check lists and while qualitative data was collected using in-depth interview to
complement the findings. Both data types were collected by trained data collectors. The
quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 21 and descriptive and logistic regression
analysis was carried out.
For the qualitative part, thematic analytic method was employed to identify, analyze and report the
themes that are important in relation with the study objective.
Results: The overall proportion of health facilities meet acceptable level of HMIS data quality
was 43.8%. HMIS specific supportive supervision, availability of adequate amount of all HMIS
materials and the attitude of health workers in user friendliness of HMIS tools were found to be
significantly associated with acceptable level of data quality, and their strength were AOR 1.942,
95%CI [1.084, 3.480), AOR=2.136, 95% CI [1.100, 4.147]) and AOR=3.346, 95% CI [1.538,
7.280]) respectively. The level of information use practice was found to be 58%. HMIS specific
supportive supervision, perception of health workers towards the staff in using HMIS data to
manage the facility and gather data to find the root cause of the problem were significantly associated with information use practice with (AOR= 3.070, 95%CI [1.206, 7.816] (AOR= 3.732,
95%CI [1.383, 10.068], (AOR= 3.782, 95%CI [1.456, 9.819] respectively.
Conclusions: The overall of proportion of facilities that met the acceptable level of data quality
was 43.8% ,54.2% for health center, 40% for hospitals and 36.8% for hospitals. The level of
information use practice among health facilities was 58.3%, Health centers (79%), Hospitals (50%)
and Health post (42%).
Recommendation: To improve data quality and information use practice, the higher level should
provide regular support for the health facilities. The Performance review teams of health facilities
should focus on regular self-assessment. Moreover, the availability of HMIS tools should be
ensured in sustainable fashion. Finally, health facilities staff should afford due consideration on
evidences for facility management and to find a root cause for the problem. |
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