Factors influencing quality of health management information system (HMIS) data: The case of Kinondoni district in Dar es Salaam region, Tanzania

Abstract

Objective: A study was done in Kinondoni Municipality, Tanzania, to assess quality of data collected through the HMIS and explore possible associated factors. Method: Using a structured questionnaire, health facility in-charges were interviewed. Attributes of data quality were recorded from health facility data using an observation schedule. A total of 69 health facilities were involved in the study including all (21) public health facilities and 25% (41/164) private facilities. Completion rate of health facility data was used as a proxy for measuring quality of data. Results: Although knowledge on HMIS basic concept was found to be associated with improved quality of data, training in HMIS did not seem to correspond with improved quality of data. Regardless of duration, supervision had no relationship with quality of data thus raising serious doubts on its quality. Presence of a focal person, responsible for day to day HMIS activities, had a positive influence on the quality of data where facilities with a focal person had a higher data completion rate (69.9%) compared to those without (44.7%). Accountability as measured by queries reportedly made by Municipal authorities on data inaccuracies was associated with better quality of data. However, queries on delay in sending report had no influence in quality of data. Conclusion: The study concludes that training, followed by supervision in HMIS, did not result into a significant improvement of the quality of HMIS. There is need to re-examine the current approaches used in training and supervision to focus on actual needs of health workers. As a long- term goal, creation of demand for processed data will serve to enhance ownership of the system by health workers, hence improve data quality