Addressing Systemic Challenges in HIV/AIDS Data Management: A Study on Personnel Training and Experience in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa bears two-thirds of the global burden of HIV/AIDS. On-going prevention and control programmes generate much-needed data whose quality and value depend on the knowledge and capacity of the health personnel who generate and manage them. This study aims to explore the knowledge of roles and responsibilities of health personnel in HIV data management on matters related to their job description and functions as well as their job-specific training and work experience. Methodology: A qualitative, observational study involving 45 purposively selected participants was conducted among both facility-based health workers and staff of government agencies and implementing partners in the area of HIV/AIDS data management using focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs). Transcription and content analysis were done manually, excel spreadsheet was used for coding. Results: The knowledge of job titles descriptions and functions was found to be adequate among respondents in this study. Experience on the job and job-specific training were also sufficient. The presence of donor-driven activities is still evident. Frequent assignment of ad hoc duties to HIV/AIDS data management staff exists, especially in health facilities. Conclusion: The allocation (assignment) of trained and skilled personnel dedicated to the sole purpose of HIV data management alone is recommended at all levels (from data collection to dissemination), to improve data quality and reliability.