Key informant perspectives on the challenges and opportunities for using routine health data for decision-making in Senegal

BMC Health Services Research

Pierre Muhoza¹  Almamy Malick Kante¹  Melissa A. Marx¹  Haneefa Saleem¹  Andrea Ruff¹  Abdoulaye Diaw²  Roger Tine³  Adama Faye⁴  Ibrahima Gaye⁴  Alioune Gueye⁵ 

[1]Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA

[2]Direction de la Planification, de la Recherche et des Statistiques/ Division du Système d’Information Sanitaire et Social, Ministère de la Santé et de l’Action Sociale (MSAS), Dakar, Senegal

[3]Faculté de Médecine, de Pharmacie et d’Odontologie, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal

[4]Institut de Santé et Développement, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Dakar, Senegal

[5]Programme National de Lutte Contre le Paludisme, Ministère de la Santé et de l’Action Sociale (MSAS), Dakar, Senegal

关键词: Routine health information systems;    Data quality;    Data use;    Senegal;    Malaria;    Tuberculosis;    HIV/AIDS;    Routine data;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12913-021-06610-1

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundIncreasing the performance of routine health information systems (RHIS) is an important policy priority both globally and in Senegal. As RHIS data become increasingly important in driving decision-making in Senegal, it is imperative to understand the factors that determine their use.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 high- and mid-level key informants active in the malaria, tuberculosis and HIV programmatic areas in Senegal. Key informants were employed in the relevant divisions of the Senegal Ministry of Health or nongovernmental / civil society organizations. We asked respondents questions related to the flow, quality and use of RHIS data in their organizations. A framework approach was used to analyze the qualitative data.ResultsAlthough the respondents worked at the strategic levels of their respective organizations, they consistently indicated that data quality and data use issues began at the operational level of the health system before the data made its way to the central level. We classify the main identified barriers and facilitators to the use of routine data into six categories and attempt to describe their interrelated nature. We find that data quality is a central and direct determinant of RHIS data use. We report that a number of upstream factors in the Senegal context interact to influence the quality of routine data produced. We identify the sociopolitical, financial and system design determinants of RHIS data collection, dissemination and use. We also discuss the organizational and infrastructural factors that influence the use of RHIS data.ConclusionsWe recommend specific prescriptive actions with potential to improve RHIS performance in Senegal, the quality of the data produced and their use. These actions include addressing sociopolitical factors that often interrupt RHIS functioning in Senegal, supporting and motivating staff that maintain RHIS data systems as well as ensuring RHIS data completeness and representativeness. We argue for improved coordination between the various stakeholders in order to streamline RHIS data processes and improve transparency. Finally, we recommend the promotion of a sustained culture of data quality assessment and use.

【 授权许可】

CC BY