The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has been funding organizations to support the Ministry of Health (MSHP) in Côte d’Ivoire (CI) to implement interventions for controlling the HIV epidemic. These organizations work with the MSHP to collect and report HIV data. However, concerns regarding the burden and usage of HIV data requirements have emerged. This case study aims to identify the number and types of HIV data collection and reporting tools and assess data use at selected health facilities in northern CI.

methods

We conducted seven semi-structured in-depth interviews and six focus group discussions (FGDs) with health care workers (HCWs) at 10 health facilities (nine urban and one rural) in June and July 2019 in the Gbêkê and Hambol regions. We also observed data collection and reporting processes and reviewed documents at two hospitals serving more than 1000 HIV patients. We coded interview and FGD notes based on the question guide and observation notes for similarity and divergence.

results

For HIV services only, each health facility was required to complete up to 33 data collection and reporting tools routinely (29 paper-based and four electronic). MSHP required 11 of the 33 tools; PEPFAR and its primary partner organization required 22. HCWs indicated that these tools collected overlapping data on HIV testing, care and treatment, and community counseling. Facilities working with other organizations had to fulfill additional data requirements that were sometimes duplicated. The most utilized data were regarding upcoming or missed appointments which HCWs used to improve patient follow-up.

conclusions

Although data have improved HIV service delivery and monitoring and evaluation to some extent, overlapping paper-based and electronic data collection and parallel reporting systems have been straining health facilities substantially. Our findings suggest that efforts are necessary to reduce the burden and fragmentation of HIV data requirements and streamline the data collection and reporting system for PEPFAR-supported projects.