Assessment of Utilization of Health Information and Associated Factors at District Level in East Wollega Zone, Oromia Regional State, West Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Health Information System in low income countries at all level has an important role to support Ministries of Health and other government agencies for informed decision making at all level. However, its utilization is a challenging task currently confronted by countries throughout the developing world in general and Ethiopia in particular. The main objective of this study was to assess the utilization of health information at district level in East Wollega Zone. Methods: A facility based cross-sectional study with quantitative and qualitative methods was conducted in nine randomly selected districts in east Wollega zone from March 1 to April 15, 2015.  Data were collected using semi structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Both bivariate and multivariate methods of data analysis used to determine the predictors. Results: All of the respondents had training on Health Management Information System, only 36 (11.8%) had in service training.  Based on the criteria 140(45.8%) were not utilized Health Information system, 202 (66.0%) of them utilized Health Information system to prepare plan of action. The independent predictors affecting utilization of Health Information were feedback from respective supervisor [AOR=14.5(6.9-30.3)], types of the decision [AOR= 3.9(1.9-7.8)] and, type of the organization [AOR= 3.5(1.5-8.1)]. The proportion quarterly completeness & timeliness of report were 86% and 89% respectively however data accuracy were not 100% maintained as per guideline. Conclusion and Recommendation: The utilization rate of Health Information at district level in east Wollega zone was found to be very low and training on HMIS was not adequate to implement the new system in line with Health Management Information System standard. Efforts should be made by the Zonal health department to strengthen supportive supervision at all levels and ensure availability of standard reporting formats& registers to maximize the utilization of Health Information.

Keywords: Utilization, health information system