Original Research

Level of data quality from Health Management Information Systems in a resources limited setting and its associated factors, eastern Ethiopia

Kidist Teklegiorgis, Kidane Tadesse, Gebremeskel Mirutse, Wondwossen Terefe
South African Journal of Information Management | Vol 18, No 1 | a612 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajim.v18i1.612 | © 2016 Kidist Teklegiorgis, Kidane Tadesse, Gebremeskel Mirutse, Wondwossen Terefe | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 17 February 2014 | Published: 10 August 2016

About the author(s)

Kidist Teklegiorgis, Dire Dawa City Administration Health Bureau, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
Kidane Tadesse, Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Ethiopia
Gebremeskel Mirutse, Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Ethiopia
Wondwossen Terefe, Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Ethiopia; Department of Biostatistics, Tulen University, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: A Health Information System (HIS) is a system that integrates data collection, processing, reporting, and use of the information necessary for improving health service effectiveness and efficiency through better management at all levels of health services. Despite the credible use of HIS for evidence-based decision-making, countries with the highest burden of ill health and the most in need of accurate and timely data have the weakest HIS in the vast majority of world’s poorest countries. Although a Health Management Information System (HMIS) forms a backbone for strong health systems, most developing countries still face a challenge in strengthening routine HIS. The main focus of this study was to assess the current HIS performance and identify factors affecting data quality in a resource-limited setting, such as Ethiopian health facilities.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted by using structured questionnaires in Dire Dawa Administration health facilities. All unit and/or department heads from all government health facilities were selected. The data was analysed using STATA version 11. Frequency and percentages were computed to present the descriptive findings. Association between variables was computed using binary logistic regression.

Results: Over all data quality was found to be 75.3% in unit and/or departments. Trained staff to fill format, decision based on supervisor directives and department heads seek feedback were significantly associated with data quality and their magnitudes were (AOR = 2.253, 95% CI [1.082, 4.692]), (AOR = 2.131, 95% CI [1.073, 4.233]) and (AOR = 2.481, 95% CI [1.262, 4.876]), respectively.

Conclusion: Overall data quality was found to be below the national expectation level. Low data quality was found at health posts compared to health centres and hospitals. There was also a shortage of assigned HIS personnel, separate HIS offices, and assigned budgets for HIS across all units and/or departments.


Keywords

HMIS; HIS; Ethiopia; Health System

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