Data quality assessment and associated factors in the health management information system among health centers of Southern Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: A well designed Health management information system is necessary for improving health service effectiveness and efficiency. It also helps to produce quality information and conduct evidence based monitoring, adjusting policy implementation and resource use. However, evidences show that data quality is poor and is not utilized for program decisions in Ethiopia especially at lower levels of the health care and it remains as a major challenge. METHOD: Facility based cross sectional study design was employed. A total of 18 health centers and 302 health professionals were selected by simple random sampling using lottery method from each selected health center. Data was collected by health professionals who were experienced and had training on HMIS tasks after the tools were pretested. Data quality was assessed using accuracy, completeness and timeliness dimensions. Seven indicators from national priority area were selected to assess data accuracy and monthly reports were used to assess completeness and timeliness. Statistical software SPSS version 20 for descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression was used for quantitative data analysis to identify candidate variable. RESULT: A total of 291 respondents were participated in the study with response rate of 96%. Overall average data quality was 82.5%. Accuracy, completeness and timeliness dimensions were 76%, 83.3 and 88.4 respectively which was lower than the national target. About 52.2% respondents were trained on HMIS, 62.5% had supervisory visits as per standard and only 55.3% got written feedback. Only 11% of facilities assigned health information technicians. Level of confidence [AOR = 1.75, 95% CI (0.99, 3.11)], filling registration or tally completely [AOR = 3.4, 95% CI (1.3, 8.7)], data quality check, supervision AOR = 1.7 95% CI (0.92, 2.63) and training [AOR = 1.89 95% CI (1.03, 3.45)] were significantly associated with data quality. CONCLUSION: This study found that the overall data quality was lower than the national target. Over reporting of all indicators were observed in all facilities. It needs major improvement on supervision quality, training status to increase confidence of individuals to do HMIS activities.