Health Management Information System which draws data from routine health service records and administrative reports provides an ideal source of indicators that are reviewed frequently to monitor and refine program implementation. The importance of this study was to assess the utilization status of routine health service records and administrative reports for decision making, and identify factors affecting its use in four hospitals of Oromia Region, Ethiopia.
Facility based cross-sectional study design was used to explore the status and factors affecting data utilization for decision in four governmental hospitals of Oromia region. Quantitative data were collected by self-administered questionnaires and qualitative data was collected from hospital management by Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Accordingly a total of 234 participants were involved for quantitative study where as 8 participants from each hospital which accounts a total of 32 participants were subjected to qualitative study. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Odds Ratio and 95% confidence interval was used to identify strength and existence of association between variables. The findings of Routine Health Service records utilization and administrative reports for decision making were presented in tables and figures whereas descriptions were made in frequency and percentage.
The study revealed that, the overall health data utilization for decision making was 56% and there was a difference in data utilization for decision making among study hospitals which was 52%, 55%, 56% and 62% in Goba, Ginnir, Adama and Bishoftu hospitals respectively. Knowledge on acceptable percentage of data Lot Quality Assurance Sample (LQAS), participation in planning and getting feedback from respective HMIS unit were predictors of data utilization for decision making from the exposed variables, [(at p value 0.047, AOR= 0.397, 95% CI; 0.012, 0.744), (p value 0.037, AOR=0.079, 95% CI: 0.011, 0.557) and (p value 0.001, AOR=0.003, 95% CI: 0.000, 0.021)] respectively. Qualitative data also revealed that dalliance in full automation, inadequate supportive supervision of stake holders and interruption of supplies affected the quality of data utilization for decision. Therefore all stake holders and hospitals’ management should improve the knowledge of health professional and management team on acceptable percentage of data LQAS through training, fully implement automated HMIS, conduct supportive supervision, participate health cadres in planning, timely avail of supplies, arrange frequent feedback process from respective HMIS unit and develop information technology infrastructures to strengthen Routine Health Service Records Utilization and Administrative Reports for Decision Making.
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