Health management information system data quality in the reproductive and child health programs; case study of mjini district, Zanzibar

Abstract

Background: Health Management Information System data often exhibit problems of quality, and many users do not trust these data. The lack of use of health information or use of poor quality data in health care and systems results in inadequate assessments and evaluation of health care and result in weak and poorly functioning health systems. General Objective: To assess implementation of Health Management Information System data quality in the Reproductive and Child health program in Urban district Methodology: The study design was a descriptive evaluation study to assess the processes of ensuring quality of HMIS data in the RCH services. It used both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis. The study population was health workers who are working in RCH unit both in government owned facilities (primary healthcare clinics) and private health facilities in Mjini district. For quantitative approach, simple random sampling technique was deployed and about 175 health workers were selected out of approximated 286 workers from RCH facilities. Qualitative data was obtained through interview with the key informants who were purposively selected to describe factors influencing data quality in HMIS. Results: Study showed that 68% responded that reporting forms and registers use in their facilities were complicated. About 98.9% in health facilities had inadequate staff for HMIS related tasks. Also association between data quality and supportive supervision were statistical significance ( p= 0.016). However, 65.1% of respondents had low skills of data quality checks and 76.6% of participants responded that responsibilities of data quality in health facilities were not clearly defined. Furthermore, 96.6% of respondents were not motivated to perform DHIS2 Conclusion and recommendations: The study findings concluded that: technical, organizational and behaviour determinants have great influence to maintain data quality in health care facilities. Hence, in the view of the findings this study recommends that; MoH collaboration with local Government to ensure that there is adequate staffing in each health facility and who are trained in HMIS related task with clear structure and responsibilities and if not responsibilities for data quality tasks could be assigned to specific staffs within other health cadres such as health officers. District health managers should conduct periodic supportive supervision and data quality checks in all health facilities, The process of designing data collection tools for HMIS should be carefully considered with due considerations on simplicity of the data collection tools and clarity of data elements in terms of definitions and Staff should be motivated so as to maintain data quality in reproductive health facilities.