Article type
Abstract
Background: HMIS data in developing regions have often been identified as incomplete and inaccurate, which can jeopardise their usefulness in guiding and reaching national health targets. High-quality information is even more important for populations in which the burden of disease and mortality is higher, such as pregnant women and children.
Objective: To assess the quality of MCH data collected through the Ethiopian Ministry of Health’s HMIS in 3 districts of Jimma Zone.
Methods: The World Health Organization data quality report card was used to appraise the quality of MCH data collected from July 2014 to June 2015 for the 26 primary healthcare units (PHCUs) located within 3 districts of Jimma Zone (Gomma, Seka Chekorsa, Kersa). 7 MCH indicators were considered: antenatal care first (ANC1) and fourth (ANC4) visit, skilled birth attendance, early postnatal care, outpatient visits, and Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis first (DTP1) and third (DTP3) dose. Data-quality assessments included completeness and timeliness of reporting, zero/missing values, moderate/extreme outliers, and consistency over time and between indicators expected to correlate (DTP1/ANC1, ANC4/ANC1, DTP3/DTP1).
Results: Completeness and timeliness of facility reporting were highest in Gomma (75% and 70%, respectively), with lower rates observed in Seka Chekorsa (49% for both) and Kersa (34% and 32%, respectively). 4% of MCH indicators were moderate outliers in Gomma, compared to 5% in Kersa and 3% in Seka Chekorsa. Extreme outliers were observed in 4 PHCU reports. Reporting of MCH indicators improved over time for all PHCUs. However, large differences were observed between PHCU- and district-level ratios, suggesting reporting errors. 88% of PHCUs had >10% difference between their DTP1/ANC1 ratio and their district ratio. 5 PHCUs had ANC4 visits higher than ANC1, while 4 had DTP3 doses greater than DTP1.
Conclusion: The quality of MCH data within the HMIS at the Jimma Zone level could be improved. A further assessment of the agreement between MCH indicators collected through the HMIS, and estimates of these indicators obtained from a population-based survey, is planned.
Objective: To assess the quality of MCH data collected through the Ethiopian Ministry of Health’s HMIS in 3 districts of Jimma Zone.
Methods: The World Health Organization data quality report card was used to appraise the quality of MCH data collected from July 2014 to June 2015 for the 26 primary healthcare units (PHCUs) located within 3 districts of Jimma Zone (Gomma, Seka Chekorsa, Kersa). 7 MCH indicators were considered: antenatal care first (ANC1) and fourth (ANC4) visit, skilled birth attendance, early postnatal care, outpatient visits, and Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis first (DTP1) and third (DTP3) dose. Data-quality assessments included completeness and timeliness of reporting, zero/missing values, moderate/extreme outliers, and consistency over time and between indicators expected to correlate (DTP1/ANC1, ANC4/ANC1, DTP3/DTP1).
Results: Completeness and timeliness of facility reporting were highest in Gomma (75% and 70%, respectively), with lower rates observed in Seka Chekorsa (49% for both) and Kersa (34% and 32%, respectively). 4% of MCH indicators were moderate outliers in Gomma, compared to 5% in Kersa and 3% in Seka Chekorsa. Extreme outliers were observed in 4 PHCU reports. Reporting of MCH indicators improved over time for all PHCUs. However, large differences were observed between PHCU- and district-level ratios, suggesting reporting errors. 88% of PHCUs had >10% difference between their DTP1/ANC1 ratio and their district ratio. 5 PHCUs had ANC4 visits higher than ANC1, while 4 had DTP3 doses greater than DTP1.
Conclusion: The quality of MCH data within the HMIS at the Jimma Zone level could be improved. A further assessment of the agreement between MCH indicators collected through the HMIS, and estimates of these indicators obtained from a population-based survey, is planned.