Routine Health Information Utilization and Associated Factors among Public Health Center Managers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Abstract
Background: In many low and middle-income countries (LMIC), the use of routine health information systems (RHIS) for decision-making remains unsatisfactory. In the Contrary, evidence regarding the level and factors associated with use and non-use of RHIS is limited. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the level and factors associated with RHIS utilization among public health centers in Addis Ababa.
Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 49 randomly selected public health centers, from August to September, 2020. A simple random sampling technique was used to identify study participants (health managers). A self-administered structured questionnare was used to collect data. EPI-info version 7 and SPSS version 20 softwares were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify factors associated with RHIS. Variables having a p-value of less than 0.05 in the multivariable analysis were considered statistically significant.
Results: The overall utilization rate of RHIS among health center managers was 66.6%. Use of computer software for data analysis (AOR = 3.76, 95% CI; 1.84–7.65), data analysis and interpretation training (AOR = 3.03, 95% CI; 1.31–6.99), supervisory visit feedback (AOR = 3.07, 95% CI; 1.34–7.02), and information utilization culture (AOR = 2.16, 95% CI; 1.11-4.21) were significantly associated with routine health information utilization.
Conclusions: The rate of RHIS utilization is low when compared to the national target and other data in the region. To boost RHIS utilization, stakeholders could promote the use of computer tools for data analysis, train health professionals in data analysis and interpretation, and provide written feedback. [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2022;36 (SI-1)]
Key words: Routine Health Information System, Health Information Utilization, Health Center, Addis Ababa.