Abstract:
Background: Poor data quality is a critical challenge to meet the global and national health
goals since performance of the health system cannot be adequately monitored. Despite
significant investments, HIV/AIDS program data quality remains challenging in developing
countries including Ethiopia to make informed decision.
Objective: To evaluate health management information system data quality and information use
in case of HIV/AIDS program in Jimma town public health facilities, South West Ethiopia, 2022.
Method: Facility based case study design was employed from June 22 to July 06/2022 at five
public health facilities providing Anti-Retroviral Therapy in Jimma town. Randomly selected
234 patient charts, ART registration, resources and 17 key informants were included in the study.
Mobile based data collection method was employed. Collected data were exported into statistical
package for social science version 26 for descriptive analysis. Qualitative data were analyzed
manually and the finding was presented by triangulating with quantitative results. Finally,
resource availability, data quality and information use were analyzed separately and judged as
Very Good if scored ≥85%, Good if 70% – 84%, Fair if 55% – 69% and Critical if <55%.
Results: The overall resource availability, data quality and information use were 75.1%, 77.2%
and 70.4% respectively. None of the providers working on Voluntary Counselling and testing
service were trained on data quality. Moreover, there was a lack of SmartCare, internet and
printers in some health facilities. Report timeliness, data completeness and data consistency were
46.7%, 91.1% and 84.2% respectively. Consistency of HIV test report between different service
delivery points was 66.67%. Performance monitoring team meetings were not conducted
monthly and some facilities didn’t use the standard performance monitoring team logbook.
Conclusion and Recommendation
The overall level of resource availability, data quality and information use were judged as good
for each. However, report timeliness, data consistency and information use was below
recommended national standards. Data quality related training should be provided for health care
provides. SmartCare, internet, printers and guidelines should be supplied for health facilities.
