Strengthening the Utilization of Quality Health Information to Prevent Maternal Morbidity and Mortality.
Abstract/ Overview
Strengthening utilization of quality health information is important for the provision of quality healthcare services. With high maternal morbidity and mortality in Migori County, it was important to undertake a study to improve the utilization of quality health information. This study therefore was to assess quality health information and design framework to address concerns of quality information and healthcare services. The data for the study were both quantitative and qualitative among morbidity and mortality healthcare indicators. Quantitative data were collected from Routine health information soft, hospital registers and healthcare workers, while Qualitative were collected from healthcare workers heading healthcare programs. The study used retrospective and cross-sectional study designs. This study was conducted in 4 health facilities in Migori County; Migori County and Rongo Sub County referral Hospitals, St Joseph Mission and Isebania County Hospitals. The study population included pregnant women attending antenatal healthcare services, healthcare workers among Nurses, Clinical officers, Medical Doctors and In-charges of programs. Cochran formula was used to calculate the population of the study. The sample size was 155, obtained from sample frame of 260. Proportionate and purposive sampling were used to identify and recruit study participants. Data tools for the study were structured check-lists, questionnaires, likert scale and non-structured interview guides. The quantitative data were analyzed using correlation, descriptive, hypothesis or significance tests and qualitative data used thematic analysis. Results for the study were presented in tables and figures. The study revealed that the majority of healthcare workers involved in the study were Nurses. Correlation coefficient tests on comparison of maternal registers and routine health information software (RHIS) data, on preventive health indicators revealed that minority achieved perfect association of 0.900-1.00. The majority of the indicators achieved moderate, weak and very weak positive associations. The achievement in less than 50% of these indicators tested for significance achieved (p<0.05). Meaning good achievement in quality information but insufficient. Most of the indicators achieved (p>0.05), implying poor quality data and information for decision making and interventions. On therapeutic health indicators less than 20% achieved perfect relationship and the majority weak and very weak associations. To determine quality heath information in annual and strategic plans, the highest achievement was in computer knowledge (72%) and training in health information (61%). Financial support was (16%) and electronic system use (32%). Migori County referral Hospital financial support for health information was 2.6%, while Rongo Sub County referral and Isebania Hospitals had 0%. Assessment of the framework achieved 96%-99% quality data. The framework was appropriate for improving information quality and its implementation was necessary due to its effectiveness and efficiency.