Data for local decision-making, not a mere reporting requirement: development of an index to measure facility-level use of HMIS data

# Background Well-functioning health management information systems (HMIS) enable decision-making at all health system levels. This study develops an index to measure the use of HMIS data at the facility level. # Methods We used two rounds of cross-sectional data collected from 305 health facilit...

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Main Authors: Jiage Qian, Solomon Shiferaw, Assefa Seme, Ousman E. Esmale, Wubshet Denboba, Elizabeth Stierman, Linnea Zimmerman, Andreea A. Creanga
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Inishmore Laser Scientific Publishing Ltd 2023-05-01
Series:Journal of Global Health Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.29392/001c.75141
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author Jiage Qian
Solomon Shiferaw
Assefa Seme
Ousman E. Esmale
Wubshet Denboba
Elizabeth Stierman
Linnea Zimmerman
Andreea A. Creanga
author_facet Jiage Qian
Solomon Shiferaw
Assefa Seme
Ousman E. Esmale
Wubshet Denboba
Elizabeth Stierman
Linnea Zimmerman
Andreea A. Creanga
author_sort Jiage Qian
collection DOAJ
description # Background Well-functioning health management information systems (HMIS) enable decision-making at all health system levels. This study develops an index to measure the use of HMIS data at the facility level. # Methods We used two rounds of cross-sectional data collected from 305 health facilities in Ethiopia in 2019 (pre-COVID-19) and 2020 (post-COVID-19). We constructed a summative, 10-item index using exploratory factor analysis and 2019 index development data; and used Cronbach's alpha to assess reliability. To examine content validity, we mapped items against a previously published conceptual framework and consulted Ethiopian experts. We then employed one-way ANOVA and t-tests comparing the mean index scores overall and by key facility characteristics between 2019 and 2020. # Results The 10-item index loaded on one factor (Cronbach's alpha=0.74), and the index scores did not differ significantly by facility characteristics in 2019. The mean index score increased from 7.2 in 2019 to 7.9 in 2020 (*P*\<0.01). During this period, more facilities received feedback on HMIS reports from facility leadership (19.3% difference); received actionable recommendations on performance targets and resource allocation (7.5% and 12.3% difference, respectively); and reviewed maternal deaths (15.1% difference); conversely, the proportion of facilities that held participatory performance review meetings monthly or more often decreased by 13.8% (all *P* \<0.05). # Conclusions We propose a facility-level HMIS data use index and document an upward trend in HMIS data use in Ethiopia immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic was declared. Future research should further evaluate and refine the proposed index to support the measurement of HMIS data quality and utilization in Ethiopia and like settings.
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spelling doaj-art-5d758c69e6c040bdacd2141b803ef52e2025-08-20T03:20:54ZengInishmore Laser Scientific Publishing LtdJournal of Global Health Reports2399-16232023-05-01710.29392/001c.75141Data for local decision-making, not a mere reporting requirement: development of an index to measure facility-level use of HMIS dataJiage QianSolomon ShiferawAssefa SemeOusman E. EsmaleWubshet DenbobaElizabeth StiermanLinnea ZimmermanAndreea A. Creanga# Background Well-functioning health management information systems (HMIS) enable decision-making at all health system levels. This study develops an index to measure the use of HMIS data at the facility level. # Methods We used two rounds of cross-sectional data collected from 305 health facilities in Ethiopia in 2019 (pre-COVID-19) and 2020 (post-COVID-19). We constructed a summative, 10-item index using exploratory factor analysis and 2019 index development data; and used Cronbach's alpha to assess reliability. To examine content validity, we mapped items against a previously published conceptual framework and consulted Ethiopian experts. We then employed one-way ANOVA and t-tests comparing the mean index scores overall and by key facility characteristics between 2019 and 2020. # Results The 10-item index loaded on one factor (Cronbach's alpha=0.74), and the index scores did not differ significantly by facility characteristics in 2019. The mean index score increased from 7.2 in 2019 to 7.9 in 2020 (*P*\<0.01). During this period, more facilities received feedback on HMIS reports from facility leadership (19.3% difference); received actionable recommendations on performance targets and resource allocation (7.5% and 12.3% difference, respectively); and reviewed maternal deaths (15.1% difference); conversely, the proportion of facilities that held participatory performance review meetings monthly or more often decreased by 13.8% (all *P* \<0.05). # Conclusions We propose a facility-level HMIS data use index and document an upward trend in HMIS data use in Ethiopia immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic was declared. Future research should further evaluate and refine the proposed index to support the measurement of HMIS data quality and utilization in Ethiopia and like settings.https://doi.org/10.29392/001c.75141
spellingShingle Jiage Qian
Solomon Shiferaw
Assefa Seme
Ousman E. Esmale
Wubshet Denboba
Elizabeth Stierman
Linnea Zimmerman
Andreea A. Creanga
Data for local decision-making, not a mere reporting requirement: development of an index to measure facility-level use of HMIS data
Journal of Global Health Reports
title Data for local decision-making, not a mere reporting requirement: development of an index to measure facility-level use of HMIS data
title_full Data for local decision-making, not a mere reporting requirement: development of an index to measure facility-level use of HMIS data
title_fullStr Data for local decision-making, not a mere reporting requirement: development of an index to measure facility-level use of HMIS data
title_full_unstemmed Data for local decision-making, not a mere reporting requirement: development of an index to measure facility-level use of HMIS data
title_short Data for local decision-making, not a mere reporting requirement: development of an index to measure facility-level use of HMIS data
title_sort data for local decision making not a mere reporting requirement development of an index to measure facility level use of hmis data
url https://doi.org/10.29392/001c.75141
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