Abstract:
Background: The availability of health workers with capacity to read and understand statistical data
and then use them for work-related decision-making, therefore, supporting their institutions or the
existing health system at large in developing countries is important. However, in some countries,
Tanzania inclusive, this has remained critical. This requires the capacity-building of potential users. The
study aimed to assess individual capacities influencing uses of routine health data for decision making
among Emergency Medicine health workers at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH).
Methods: The study design used was a descriptive cross-sectional using a quantitative approach.
Stratified random sampling was used to sample Nurses, Medical officers, Residents, and Emergency
medicine specialists. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The study involved 76
health workers working in the Emergency Medicine Department (EMD) at MNH.
Results: Results showed 61.6% use of routine health data for decision making. Working experience, job
title, and education level had a statistically significant association with information used for decision
making. There was a statistically significant difference in routine data use between those who had
poor and good knowledge to collect, analyze, interpret, and use data. Also, results showed that there
was a statistically significant difference in routine data use between those who had poor and good
skills to collect, analyze, interpret, and use data. Specialists had good level of knowledge and skills on
data use compared to other health workers.
Conclusion: The study demonstrates partial use of routine health data for decision making with an
interplay of individual capacities. A framework for statistical capacity building in Tanzania need to be
built, by training a cadre of health workers with core competencies and skills in measuring progress in
the health system that could generate a sustainable demand for data use within the health systems of
the country.
