Utilization of Routine Health Information from Health Management Information System and Associated Factors Among Health Workers at Health Centers in Oromia Special Zone, Ethiopia: A Multilevel Analysis

Mohammed Ahmed Seid; Negalign Berhanu Bayou; Fanos Yeshanew Ayele; Aregash Abebayehu Zerga

doi:10.2147/RMHP.S285604

Utilization of Routine Health Information from Health Management Information System and Associated Factors Among Health Workers at Health Centers in Oromia Special Zone, Ethiopia: A Multilevel Analysis

Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2021 Mar 18:14:1189-1198. doi: 10.2147/RMHP.S285604. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Mohammed Ahmed Seid¹, Negalign Berhanu Bayou², Fanos Yeshanew Ayele³, Aregash Abebayehu Zerga³

Affiliations

¹ Zone Health Office, Oromia Specialized Zone, Kemisse, Amhara Region, Ethiopia.
² Department of Health Service Management School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
³ Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Introduction: Health management information system is a building block for the health system. Even if using health facility data at all levels is critical, it is poorly practiced in developing countries. There is limited evidence about the utilization of routine health information from the health management information system in the study area. This study aimed to assess the utilization of routine health information from health management information system and associated factors among health professionals at health centers in Oromia special zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia.

Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March 2019. A total of 369 health professionals who were the focal person for each service delivery point were taken from the selected health centers. The data analysis was done using STATA version 14. A multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression model was carried out to identify factors associated with utilization of routine health information from the health management information system. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI was reported to show the strength of association. A P-value of <0.05 was used to declare statistical significance.

Results: The magnitude of good routine health information utilization among health care professionals was 52.8%. Training (AOR=2.40, 95% CI=1.35, 4.26), availability of standard indicator definition (AOR=2.01, 95% CI=1.13, 3.57), data analysis skills (AOR=2.59, 95% CI=1.45, 4.62), regular feedback (AOR=2.29, 95% CI=1.29, 4.05), performance evaluation (AOR=2.60, 95% CI=1.19, 5.68) and timely reporting (AOR=2.89, 95% CI=1.54, 5.42) were significantly associated with routine health information utilization.

Conclusion: The overall utilization of routine health information from the health management information system was low. Therefore, the Zone health department and woreda health offices need to give training on HMIS data use, and avail standard indicator definition for all health care workers at all service delivery points.

Keywords: health care professionals; health centers; routine health information utilization.