ORGANIZATIONAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH INFORMATION UTILIZATION IN MAKING DECISION AMONG HEALTHCARE MANAGERS IN MOMBASA COUNTY, KENYA
Keywords:
Data; Decision making; Health Information; Routine Health Information Systems; Healthcare ManagersAbstract
Purpose: This was a study based on Health Information Systems pillar. The objective was to examine organizational factors which influence health information utilization in making decision among healthcare managers in Mombasa County.
Methodology: This was a Descriptive Survey Study design where desired data was obtained from selected respondents by semi-structured questionnaires. The research targeted a total of 303 healthcare managers in Mombasa County which comprised of 21 County Health Management Team (CHMT) members, 56 Sub-county Health Management Team (SCHMT) members from the four sub-counties, 43 facility In-Charges from the 43 public health facilities and 183 Heads of Departments (HODs). A sample size of 91 healthcare managers (30% of the target population) was used in the study with a response rate of 98.9% being achieved. Data was analyzed with SPSS version 23.
Findings: Results revealed that organizational factors (β2 = 0.233; t = 4.552; p < 0.01) were significant predictors of health information utilization in making decision among healthcare managers in Mombasa County. These results imply that improvement in these variables (Feedback mechanisms, Supportive supervision and Resource availability on Health Information Systems) will enhance health information utilization in making decision.
Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Implementation of the study findings will ensure that healthcare organizations have systems and infrastructure for improving interpersonal relationship among healthcare workers and managers, providing clear guidelines and defining roles and responsibilities related to HIS thus improving evidence-based decision making. When this is done, the study will have validated the theory of Evidence Based Health Information System by Carbone, (2009), on which the study was anchored. This theory further explains that there is need for a "catalyst" which is responsible for ensuring that the overall clinical care task is performed. Organizational factors are some of the catalysts referred to in the theory that when looked into will ensure an improved health outcome. The study recommends that the Ministry of Health (MOH) introduces Health Management Information Systems (HMIS) as a subject in the pre-service curriculum of all healthcare cadres in order to improve Health Information Systems (HIS) and facilitate proper prioritization of health needs, interventions and proper resource allocation.
Downloads
References
Carbone, D. (2009). An Evidence-Based Health Information Theory. Melbourne, Australia: University of Melbourne, Australia.
Chaled, M.K., Bellali, H, Alaya, N.B., Ali, M., & Mahmoudi, B. (2013). Auditing the quality immunization data in Tunisia. Tunis, Tunisia: Asian Pac. Publishers.
Chorongo, D.W. (2016). Determinants of effective utilization of Health Management Information for decision making among Health Program Managers: A case of Malindi Sub-County, Kilifi County, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Gopalan, S.S., Mutasa, R., Friedman, J., & Das, A. (2013). Health sector Demand-Side financial incentives in low-and middle-income countries: A systematic review-and supply-side effects. Dar es Salam, Tanzania: Press Publishing Press.
Karijo, E.K. (2013). Determinants of Utilization of Routine Data for decision making in health facilities in Kitui County, Unpublished MSc Thesis. Kenyatta University, Kenya.
Karuri, J., Waiganjo, P., & Orwa D. (2012). Implementing a Web-based Routine Health Management Information System in Kenya: Factors Affecting Acceptance and Use. International Journal of Science and Research, 3(9), 1843-1851.
Kenya Coordinating Mechanism. (2015). Oversight Field Visit Report for Kwale and Mombasa Counties 23-24th Nov. 2015. Retrieved 26th Feb. 2018 at 1920hrs from https://globalfundKCM.or.ke/.../Oversight-Field-Visit-Report-for-Kwale-a.
Kihuba, E., Gathara, D., Mwinga, S., Mulaku, M., Kosgei, R., Mogoa, W., & English, M. (2014). Assessing the ability of health information systems in hospitals to support evidence-informed decisions in Kenya. Global Health Action, 7, e24859. doi:10.3402/gha. v7.24859
Ministry of Health Kenya. (2009). Strategic Plan for Health Management Information System 2009-2014. Nairobi, Kenya: Ministry of Medical Services & Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation.
Ministry of Medical Services [MOMS] & Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation [MOPHS] (2010). Annual Operational Plan. Nairobi, Kenya: Ministry of Health.
Mugenda, O.M., & Mugenda, A.G. (2003). Research Methods: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches, Nairobi: African Centre for Technology Studies.
Njoka, P.M. (2015). Factors Influencing Utilization of Routine Health Data in Evidence Based Decision Making in HIV/AIDS services by Public Health Facilities in Nakuru County, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Nyamtema, A.S. (2010). Bridging the gaps in the Health Management Information System in the context of a changing health sector. Ifakara, Tanzania: Tanzanian Training Center for International Health.
Nzomo, G. M. (2017). Use of Routine Health Information for Decision Making among Health Workers at Coast General Hospital, Mombasa County, Kenya, Kenyatta University, Kenya.
Omole, G. (2015). Health Management Information System for Decision Making in Nigeria: Challenges and Resolutions. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), 4(5), 2968-2974.
Seitio-Kgokwe, O., Robbin, D.C., Gauld, P.C. & Hill, P.B. (2015). Development of the National Health Information Systems in Botswana: Pitfalls, Prospects and Lessons. Online Journal of Public Health Information (OJPHI), 7(2), e210. Doi:105210/ojphi. v7i2.5630.
Shiferaw, A.M., Zegeye, D.T., Woreta, S.A., & Yenit, M.K. (2017). Routine Health Information System Utilization and Factors associated thereof among Healthcare workers at Government Health Institutions in East Gojjam Zone, North West Ethiopia. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 17, 116 doi10.1186/s12911-017-0509-2.
Teklegiorgis, K., Tadese, K., Mirutse, G., & Terefe, W. (2016). Level of Data Quality from Health Management Information System in a resource limited setting and its associated factors, Eastern Ethiopia. South African Journal of Information Management, 17(1), e612. Retrieved 1st Feb.2018 at 1910hrs from http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajjim.v17i1.612.
Transparency International- Kenya, (2011). The Kenya Health Sector Integrity Study Report. Nairobi: Transparency International
USAID/KENYA. (2010). Assessment of National Monitoring and Evaluation and Health Management Information Systems. Washington, DC: Global Health Technical Assistant Project.
World Health Organization. (2008). Utilization of Health Information for Decision-Making: Report of the Regional consultation, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.
World Health Organization. (2014). World Health Statistics. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
