Health Data Quality and Use in the Afar Region of Ethiopia: Practical Challenges, Best Practices, Lessons Learned, and Recommendations

Abstract

Background: Ethiopia has implemented a routine health information system to ensure the production and use of quality data across all  healthcare levels. However, in many low-income countries, including Ethiopia, most Health Information Systems (HIS) provide data that  inadequately influences decision-making. Pastoral regions, in particular, lag behind the national average in health service uptake. There  is a lack of empirical evidence on existing approaches, challenges, and best practices for health data quality and information use in  pastoral regions. This study focuses on exploring these aspects in the Afar region of Ethiopia. 

Methods: A descriptive exploratory case  study design was employed to conduct an in-depth exploration of existing challenges, best practices, lessons learned, and improvement  strategies among eleven health institutions. Twenty-five purposively selected participants from the regional health bureau and local  health facilities were involved. A semi-structured interview guide was used, and verbatim transcription and translation were performed. The translations were coded, and thematic analysis was conducted. 

Results: This study identified three primary themes: challenges, best  practices and lessons learned, and strategies and recommendations to overcome these challenges. Key challenges include poor data  quality and assurance, ineffective data management and use for decision-making, low HIS capacity, a lack of professional motivation, and  insufficient training and human resources. The best practices highlighted include peer-to-peer learning, performance-based  recognition, regular performance review meetings, and experience sharing with a neighboring health facilities. 

Conclusions: Significant  challenges identified include data quality and assurance issues, ineffective data management and use, a lack of professional motivation,  and a shortage of training. Collaboration among professionals, sharing experiences with nearby health facilities, regular performance  reviews, and peer-to-peer learning are noted as effective practices. Therefore, sustaining the best practices, developing, and adapting  training and governance documents, building capacity, advocating for improvement, holding review meetings, and continuously  generating and adapting evidence are essential recommended strategies to improve health data quality and decision-making in the Afar  region.