Utilisation of routine health information system and associated factors among health workers in public health institutions of Gofa zone, South Ethiopia regional state:a mixed-methods study.

OBJECTIVES

Using the routine health data in decision-making improves the health service delivery and health system performance. This study was aimed at identifying the level of information utilisation and associated factors in the Routine Health Information Systems (RHIS).

METHODS

A concurrent triangulation design of a mixed-methods approach was applied from 1 to 30 April 2023. A sample of 304 health workers was randomly selected, and 18 informants were purposefully interviewed. Standardised Performance of Routine Information System Management tools were used. Multilevel linear mixed model regression and thematic analysis were conducted.

RESULTS

The level of good information utilisation in RHIS was 52.0% (95% CI: 46.2%, 57.7%, p = 0.491). Data visualisation (β=0.053, 95% CI: 0.006, 0.101, p = 0.027), data quality assessment (β=0.054, 95% CI: 0.018, 0.090, p = 0.003), supervision (β=0.135, 95% CI: 0.072, 0.198, p < 0.001), management support (β=0.065, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.129, p = 0.045) and data management skills (β=0.070, 95% CI: 0.023, 0.118, p = 0.004) were significant positive predictors of information utilisation. Conversely, information utilisation decreased in health posts (β=-0.082, 95% CI: -0.160, -0.005, p = 0.037). This finding was further supported by the qualitative data.

DISCUSSION

The level of information utilisation was consistent with other studies in Ethiopia, although previous studies excluded health posts. Data visualisation, institutional management support, type of health institution, conducting data quality assessment, supervision quality and data management skills were significant predictors of information utilisation in the RHIS. Differences in health worker skills and stronger district-level monitoring systems likely explained variation in information utilisation across different types of health institutions.

CONCLUSION

The utilisation of routine health information was lower. Providing quality supervision, improving the data management skills of health workers and conducting data quality assessments are essential and suggested interventions for enhancing information utilisation.