The role of health information system in health management in Techiman Municipality, Ghana
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Date
2005-11-08
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Abstract
Health Information System (HIS) are designed to produce information for decision making and to enable management ascertain the process made by organization towards achieving its objectives. II aids in allowing optimal utilization of resources, in planning for better inter-sectorial coordination and in monitoring and evaluation of activities. Information System are thus potent tool of management and also essential for initiating programmes in any field. However, lot of gaps in terms of management and usage of health information system exists and pose threat to the health care delivery. This was buttressed by an observation of HIS in the Techiman Municipality which revealed several weaknesses in the system. The study therefore assessed the role of HIS in the Municipality to make recommendations in order to improve health care delivery in the entire district and Ghana as a whole.
Areas of interest in the study include;
-Data collection
-Analysis of data
-The use of data
-Feedback
-Problem with HIS
-Timeliness of reporting
A quantitative descriptive study was used. Validity of data was checked using the face validity method.
Decision making by health care providers should be supported by information that is timely, relevant and complete allowing services to run effectively and contribute to the achievement of policies and planning objectives. Such information also makes it possible to evaluate services, anticipate the needs of communities assess improvement in health and appropriate intervention.
The Municipal Chief Executive, Municipal Director of Health Services and Medical Superintendent were notified through in writing. A quantitative descriptive study was employed to focus on planning and decision-making, information source, utilization and feedback. Data collection technique included the administration of both structured and unstructured questionnaire (open-ended and closed) to key informants; use of checklist and observation, none randomized purposive sampling was employed.
The finding of the facilities level showed that adequate data were collected but some were incomplete while others were inaccurate. There was uniform format for collecting data at the different facilities. Returns were submitted on monthly basis but sometimes late. At the facility level data was analyzed by way of aggregation of data collected on daily bases. Each data prepared for submission to the Municipal Health Directorate. At the district level returns were collected and submitted to RHA. The returns were however not used for decision making hence under utilization of data.
Returns were however not used not being used for decision-making. From the Municipal level, returns were collated and submitted to RHA, however not used for decision-making
for the system to be efficient and operational, an effective supervision and monitoring system need to be in place at all levels of health facilities in the Techiman Municipality. It will also be important to train all health workers on basic concepts and relevance of an efficient HIS.
Description
A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame
Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Health Services Planning and Management, 2005