Objective: A study was done in Kinondoni Municipality, Tanzania, to
assess quality of data collected through the HMIS and explore possible
associated factors. Method: Using a structured questionnaire, health
facility in-charges were interviewed. Attributes of data quality were
recorded from health facility data using an observation schedule. A
total of 69 health facilities were involved in the study including all
(21) public health facilities and 25% (41/164) private facilities.
Completion rate of health facility data was used as a proxy for
measuring quality of data. Results: Although knowledge on HMIS basic
concept was found to be associated with improved quality of data,
training in HMIS did not seem to correspond with improved quality of
data. Regardless of duration, supervision had no relationship with
quality of data thus raising serious doubts on its quality. Presence of
a focal person, responsible for day to day HMIS activities, had a
positive influence on the quality of data where facilities with a focal
person had a higher data completion rate (69.9%) compared to those
without (44.7%). Accountability as measured by queries reportedly made
by Municipal authorities on data inaccuracies was associated with
better quality of data. However, queries on delay in sending report had
no influence in quality of data. Conclusion: The study concludes that
training, followed by supervision in HMIS, did not result into a
significant improvement of the quality of HMIS. There is need to
re-examine the current approaches used in training and supervision to
focus on actual needs of health workers. As a long- term goal, creation
of demand for processed data will serve to enhance ownership of the
system by health workers, hence improve data qualit