Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #109550

Anwer Aqil, MD, MPH, DrPH, Johns Snow Inc., Senior HIS Advisor, 1616 N. Fort Mayer Drive, Arlington, VA 22209, 703-528-7474, anwer_aqil@jsi.com, Nosa Orobaton, MD, DrPH, Chief of Party, UPHOLD Project, Nakawa House, 2nd Floor, Kampala, Uganda, Tariq Azim, MBBS, DCM, Deputy Team Leader, Mid-way House, PIMS, G-7, Islamabad, Pakistan, Abo Hiroshi, Team Leader, 3-18-13 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku, Tokoyo, Japan, Dairiku Hozumi, MD MPH, John Snow Inc., 44 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA 02210, and Theo Lippeveld, MD, MPH, John Snow Inc., Vice President, International Divison, 44 Fransworth Street, Boston, MA 02210-1211.

Background: MEASURE/JSI has developed PRISM conceptual framework for determining routine health information system (RHIS) performance and its organizational/systems, technical and behavioral determinants. The model was tested in UPHOLD project in Uganda and Improvement in Information Systems Study in Pakistan. The comparative analyses are based on the findings from these countries. Methods: The data was collected using Lot quality assurance sampling. Sample sizes of 120 and 85 health facilities were calculated with 10% error rate in Uganda and Pakistan respectively. Both interviews and observations were conducted to explore organizational, behavioral and technical determinants. Descriptive and correlation analyses were carried out. Results: In both Uganda and Pakistan, data quality (45%) and use (50%), as indicators of RHIS performance, were limited. Sixty percent of the respondents were not able to calculate, display, interpret, or use the given data. However, self-efficacy or having the confidence to perform RHIS tasks was more than 70%. Fifty percent or more respondents believed strongly that health department promotes culture of information, supportive management, and merit promotion, although 43% or less of the facilities reported receiving district feedback report. Beside many gaps, the data showed that there are positive correlations between self-efficacy and task competencies, and between promotion of culture of information and self-efficacy. Policy implications: The gaps in respondents' perceptions about their department, abilities and observed performance indicate that the information systems need reform. The directions of RHIS reforms revolve around improving culture of information, instituting quality tools, mechanisms and self-assessment, increasing staff motivation.

Learning Objectives:

• • Describe the strengths and weaknesses in the routine health inofrmation system (RHIS) performance and their organizational, behavioral and technical determinants in Pakistan and Uganda
• • Apply lessons learned in reforming RHIS in developing countries

Keywords: Performance Measurement, Initiative

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation