Evaluation of HMIS Data Quality and Information Use Improvement for Local Action-Oriented Performance Monitoring in Beghi District in West Wollega, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Introduction: Strong health management information system (HMIS) have been most frequently identified as critical for address­ing health challenges and improving health service delivery at all levels of health system. However, its data is often Inaccurate, untimely, incomplete and inconsistent as a result data are not used effectively for decision-making in developing countries.Methodology: A facility based cross- sectional study design was used for the baseline assessment HMIS performance and then acting to improve data quality and information use for local action-oriented performance monitoring through formulating possible interventions, take those possible actions and review Post interventions changes.Result: The result of the project showed that proportion of HMIS data accuracy has been increased from about 65% before to 87% after interventions. Similarly, level of HMIS data completeness has been increased from about 42% before to 100% after intervention. In addition, encouraging improvement were achieved on information use practice in the Beghi district of west Wollaga.Conclusion: For improving HMIS data quality and information use practice in local action-oriented performance monitoring; simple, strategic and practical interventional activities were carried out throughout the project. As a result, the encouraging improvement were achieved in terms of increasing proportion of data accuracy, completeness and timeliness of monthly HMIS reporting as well as on information use practice for identifying gaps, setting targets, making decisions and give feedback in internal health management for Begi District case. Therefore, health planners and Decision maker would be better to give great emphasis for checking HMIS data quality and use of HMIS information for evidence based decision making in developing countries for better quality of health care system implementation.

Keywords: HMIS data quality and information use practice, local action-oriented performance