Improving Data Quality and Information Use In Maternal and Child Health Departments of Health Centers: The Case of Desire City Administration, South Wollo, Amhara Region
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Date
2017-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background:-. Effective Health Management Information System (HMIS) is essential for setting priority for community based problems, for allocation of budget and human resource and usage of health data that assist decision makers and stakeholders manage and plan resources at every level of health service. In Africa, including Ethiopia there are many problems in data management in the health sector in relation to missing of data in reports this leads to a picture which could not represent the country health information.
Objective: - To assess and improve HMIS data quality and information use in maternal and child health departments of health centers in Dessie City Administration.
Methodology: Pre and post interventional cross sectional descriptive study design was employed using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The project was carried out in the MCH departments all eight fully functional health centers found in Dessie City Administration. World Health Organization (WHO) data quality assessment (DQA) tool was adopted which included data management, reporting system assessment and data verification. Semi-structured interview guide was also used to identify factors influencing data quality and information use. The assessment involved interview of responsible person, source document review and on-site observation. The study was based on eight key MNCH indicators and considered the second quarter data starting from October to December 2016. Based on the pre-assessment finding, the following interventions were carried out: on-job training; strengthening performance monitoring team, mentoring, fulfilling data collection tools/forms, and data audit.
RESULT: - The result of the project showed that proportion of HMIS data accuracy has been increased from about 83 % before to 97 % after intervention which was compared with the Ethiopian National HSDP IV target which was 90%. Similarly, availability of all indicators source documents increases from 87% to 100%. Of the available indicator source documents level of HMIS data completeness has been increased from about 86% before to 98 % after intervention. However, timeliness ranges from 83 % to 100%.Regarding data management and reporting system, these four areas were in turn weighted based on composite sub componentsand are scored between zero and three, with 2.5 - 3.0 indicating full system strength, 1.5 – 2.49 indicating partial strength and less than 1.5 indicating no use system in place. Accordingly after intervention data management and reporting system components complete system strength was documented. M&E structure, function and capabilities scored about from 2.4 to 2.9; use of standard data collection and reporting tools and guidelines scored from 2.2 to 2.8; data management process from 2.3 to 2.5 and information use 1.4 to 2.7at all service delivery points. Lack of continuous training, lack of supportive supervision, lack of HMIS material supply, low management support and lack of feedback were identified as the contributing factors for the minimum use of HMIS information in the department.
CONCLUSION:-For improving HMIS data quality and information use practice in maternal and child health departments;. Simple, strategic and practical interventional activities were carried out throughout the project. The interventional activities of this project on HMIS data quality and information use practice more or less increased the data management and reporting system, the accuracy, completeness and timeliness of HMIS data reporting that paved the way for continuous information use in Health Centers.
RECOMMENDATION:-The health centers management should flow the annual plan to the department and individual level and perform routine performance monitoring per the schedule according to the plan and the health centers employ similar intervention mechanism for the other departments.
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Data Quality and Information Use In Maternal, and Child Health Departments of Health Centers