Assessing the management and utilisation level of health information management systems in West Mamprusi District.

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Date
2016-10-05
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Abstract
The study is designed to investigate and analyse the management and utilization of Health Management Information Management System (HIMS) in West Mamprusi District. The objectives are to establish the type of health data/information generated at the health units and how it is processed and stored; describe the levels of utilization of health data/information; assess the level of flow of data/information to and from the health unit; study the main factors and constraints that influences the effectiveness of HIMS in West Mamprusi District; and make recommendations on how to improve HMIS. This study adopted both qualitative and quantitative research paradigms. The study was conducted in the two Health Sub-Districts (HSD) in West Mamprusi. Data collection methods employed are: documents review, key informant interviews and a Semi – structured questionnaire. Findings indicate that most health units inherited a very fragmented paper-based information system. Despite interest in HIMS, Clinics and Drug Shops did not have HIMS in place. Data is collected at the health facility level. All the private practitioners and drug shops expressed interest in HIMS. A computerised HIMS database is being used in the DDHS‟s office. Flow of data from the health units to the district level was improving. All the health units that were visited did not have a resource centre and therefore poor storage of data. HIMS records were used for one or all of the following: reference, management and planning, research surveys, monitoring and evaluation. Major constraints facing HIMS in the District were: unavailability of computerized health information systems, general lack of stationery, inadequate and unskilled manpower, lack of transport, poor motivation and no proper storage facilities and that lead to misplacement of records. From the findings, it is concluded that the management and utilization of the HMIS is still inadequate. Majority of the reporting health units were government owned implying that private practitioners were not represented and yet they have a significant role in health care delivery. Health workers did not appreciate the importance of HIMS. Based on the above issues the study recommends that: there is need to establish record offices/resource centres at all health centres; HIMS focal persons should be stationed at each sub district and provided with computer and transport to facilitate the collection of data and use of simple excel to collect and analyse data for the health facilities under the sub district; the government should take the initiative to recognise and include private practitioners in the HIMS; and Health workers including those in private practice should be trained in data management.
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A thesis submitted to the College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of Masters of Science degree in Health Informatics Institute of Distance Learning June, 2016.
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