Utilization of routine health information and associated factors among health workers in Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: The utilization of routine health information is an essential factor of the structural capacity of health departments and public health performance depends on the effectiveness of information use for routine and programed decisions. Considerable research has been conducted in health data collection and ways to improve data quality, but little is known about utilization of routine health information among health workers in Ethiopia in general and in the study area in particular. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess level of utilization of routine health information and associated factors among health workers in Hadiya zone, Southern Ethiopia, 2019. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Facility-based cross-sectional study design with both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods was employed at the Hadiya zone from March 10–25, 2019. A total of 480 health workers were included in the study and systematic random sampling was employed to select the health care workers in the study. The results were analyzed and presented in tables and graphs. Finally, the binary logistic regression was used to examine independent predictors. RESULT: Good level of utilization of routine health information was reported by 301 (62.7%, 95% CI: 58.5%-66.9%) of the health workers. Training [AOR = 8.12; 95% CI: (4.33–15.23)], supportive supervision [AOR = 2.34; 95% CI:(1.40–3.92)], good perceived culture of health information [AOR = 5.05; 95% CI: (2.99–8.50], having a standard set of indicators (AOR = 2.05 95%; CI: (1.23–3.41) and competence on routine health information tasks [AOR = 5.85; 95% CI: (3.41–10.02)] were independent predictors. CONCLUSION: Good level of utilization of routine health information was noted in less than two-third of the study participants. Further training, supportive supervision, perceived culture of health information, having standard set of indicators and competence on routine health information task were factors that improve routine health information utilization.