Health Information Systems In The Ho District: A Study Of How Health Service Information Is Utilized At The Sub-District Level.

Abstract

Since the Sogakope Conference on the integration of health service, in 1991, the focus has been on the sub-district as the most basic operational unit for health service delivery and management in Ghana. This new role of the sub-districts was reinforced with the introduction of the Budget and Management Centre concept in 1996/97. It is expected that, since the use of information is very essential for effective management, Sub-District Health Teams (SDHTs) and Heads Of Health Facilities (HOFs) must know and actually utilize available health service information. The objective of this study, therefore, was to carry out an exploratory study to determine how health service information is utilized at the Sub-district level and to describe the Health Information System at that level. The study was carried out in all the 6 Sub-districts in the Ho District of the Volta Region from June to August, 1998. Data was collected (on health data collection, analysis, storage and utilization) using a checklist (for data collection tools) and two interview guides for SDHT leaders and HOFs respectively. Additional information was obtained by examining available records. The study revealed, that there is gross under-utilization of health service information primarily due to lack of training (of health workers in information utilization.) Data collected by SDHTs largely excluded non-MOH and traditional health facilities in the respective sub-districts. There is also poor filing and storage of health data / information. Poor feedback from the District Health Management Team (DHMT) to the SDHTs and from the SDHTs to the health facilities is another significant finding. Based on the findings, it is recommended that; • health workers be trained in the handling and utilization of health service data / information. • effort must be made to collect and collate health data (for analysis and utilization) from all service providers in the Sub-districts. • feedback from the DHMT and SDHTs to the lower levels must be highly encouraged.