Abstract
BackgroundHealth care practice relies on evidence-based decisions and needs the use of quality health care data. Health management information system (HMIS) is among the core elements of health system building blocks. In our study setting, there is a lack of adequate information on the quality of health information data. This study aimed at exploring the quality of health management information system data in terms of timeliness, completeness, and accuracy. The specific objectives were to evaluate the quality and use of the health management information system in Primary health care units of East Wollega zone, Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2016 on 316 health professionals/health information technicians. The sample was obtained by simple random sampling technique. Qualitative data were obtained from 16 purposefully selected key informants by Focus group discussion (FGD). We observed 50 selected health facilities using an observation checklist. We analyzed quantitative data by SPSS version 20 using descriptive and logistic regression analysis techniques. we applied a thematic analysis approach to analyze qualitative data.ResultsTimeliness of report, registration completeness, report completeness, and data accuracy level of the selected facilities were 70, 78.2, 86, and 48%, respectively. All results are below the expected national standards. Commonly reported reasons for the poor practice of data quality were; poor support of management, lack of accountability for the false report, poor supportive supervision, and lack of separate and responsible unit for health information management.ConclusionThe Health information management system is poorly coordinated at the primary health units. Accountability should be assured through continuous in-service training, supportive supervision, and concrete feedbacks. Electronic management of health information should be available in primary health care units.
Highlights
Health care practice relies on evidence-based decisions and needs the use of quality health care data
Since the Alma-Ata declaration in 1978, the World Health Organization (WHO), global partners, and nations emphasized the implementation of Primary health care (PHC)
They are embarking on Universal health coverage (UHC); as a means to attain goal 3 of Sustainable development goals (SDG)
Summary
Health care practice relies on evidence-based decisions and needs the use of quality health care data. The specific objectives were to evaluate the quality and use of the health management information system in Primary health care units of East Wollega zone, Ethiopia. Since the Alma-Ata declaration in 1978, the World Health Organization (WHO), global partners, and nations emphasized the implementation of Primary health care (PHC). They are embarking on Universal health coverage (UHC); as a means to attain goal 3 of Sustainable development goals (SDG). PHC promotes equity in health service utilization among populations Despite this fact, there are gaps in evidencebased practice and quality care at PHC level especially in Low and middle-income countries [1,2,3]. Each of the facilities serves 100, 000, 25,000 and 5000 population, respectively [4,5,6]
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