Process factors influencing data quality of routine health management information system: Case of Uasin Gishu County referral Hospital, Kenya

Abstract

Global health agenda faces a challenge of ensuring sustainability of a high performing system in the context of evolving pressures, growing demand for timely and reliable information for planning. Effective and efficient management underpinnings on well-functioning health management information system design and implementation. Lack of strong system processes is a tragedy in achieving right measurement and accountability on health outcomes. The study was carried out to identify process factors influencing data quality of routine health management information system. A cross-sectional study design was employed in this study. Quantitative was used in collating data from health workers who were responsible for data collection, compilation, quality check and feedback while qualitative was employed to generate more in-depth information of the subject matter. The results show that 3(4%) of the respondents knew about system processes through formal comprehensive training with 81(98.8%) response rate. A strong association was found between data collection and collation with a chi-square of X2 (1)=32.934, n=81, p<.05. Data collection (p = 0.000), compilation (p = 0.000), feedback (p < 0.000). The key informant interview confirmed a strong relationship between process factors such as lack of technique for carrying data quality check and lack of data quality protocol place. Consequences of the results could enhance strategic decision in improving the health system process design and implementation