Factors influencing health workers capacity to analyse and use malaria data: a case of Uvinza district in Kigoma region, Tanzania

Abstract

Introduction: The use of data is essential in decision making and holding people accountable. There has been an increase in demand for data use in health programmes. Thus, human and financial resources have been highly invested in supporting data use. However, adequate data use has remained elusive and a subject of continuous research. Objectives: The general objective of this study was to assess the factors influencing health workers' capacity to analyse and use malaria data to make informed decisions in the Uvinza district. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to assess the factors influencing health workers capacity to analyse and use malaria data. A high malaria prevalence rate was used to choose Uvinza DC, whereby nine health facilities were randomly selected. Also, 37 healthcare workers and 3 members of CHMT who have been working on malaria programs or interventions were purposively selected. Data were gathered by in-depth interviews, documentary review data abstraction and observation. A manual data analysis was used, and it was guided by content technique. Results: The results of the study showed that routine data and information are used to make several decisions, including; strategies for quality improvement, resource allocation, assessing the performance of the facility, and plan for malaria prevention intervention. However, it was observed that several factors are influencing healthcare workers to use routine data. Some of the factors are data management and analysis skills, type of health facility, number of HCWs, supportive supervisions, information use culture, the availability of data collection and report tools. Also, individual perception and attitude played a role in determining data use. Conclusion: Data are instrumental in making the decision; however, for healthcare workers to use routine data for decision making, they are influenced by both the technical, organisation and individual factors.