Quality Of Hiv And Aids Data Reported In Community Based Health Information System In Homa-Bay County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Kenya national AIDS strategic plan end term review on data quality reported from community level by the Community-Based Organizations and Faith-Based Organizations revealed data to be inadequately accurate which hampers achievement of the goal of zero infections rates. However, there is limited evidence on factors contributing to the poor quality of data reported and solutions to address these problems. To address this gap, this study purposed to assess quality of HIV/IDS data reported into the community based Health information systems in Homa Bay County and provide policy suggestions for remedying this problem. The specific objectives of the study were to determine quality of HIV/AIDS data reported to the community based health information system in Homa Bay county; establish the influence of socio-demographic characteristics on quality of HIV/AIDS data reported to the community based health information system in the Homa Bay county; determine influence of organizational factors on HIV/AIDS data reported to the community based health information system Homa Bay county and determine influence of technical factors on quality of data reported to the community based health information system in Homa Bay county. The study used a cross-sectional study design employing mixed methods of data collection. Simple random sampling was used to select a study sample of one hundred and thirty eight (138) active Community-Based and Faith-Based HIV/AIDS implementing Organizations representatives in Homa-Bay County to participate in the study questionnaire. Purposive sampling was used to select fifteen (15) participants for Key Informant Interviews. Interviews were conducted using standard interview quide. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used to analyse quantitative data using SPSS software while thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data using Nvivo Software. Results showed that more than half (58%) of the respondents ranked quality of HIV/AIDS data in the CBHIS to be of low quality. In regards to socio-demographic factors, analysis showed that only level of education influenced quality of data in CBHIS (p=0.001). In regards to technical factors, analysis showed that availability of Computers (p=0.001), and frequency of Data Quality Checks (p=0.001) were statistically significant in explaining the variations in HIV/AIDS data quality. In regards to organizational factors, analysis showed that the four organizational factors (staff training on data collection, frequency of data collection, staff knowledge and skills in data processing and staff qualifications) were individually insignificant (p>0.05). However, qualitative findings indicated that the organization factors were jointly crucial in improving HIV/AIDs data quality. In conclusion, HIV/AIDs data quality is influenced by staff education level, availability of computers and frequency of data quality checks. The success of data quality improvement initiatives largely depends on organizational processes and systems which complement each other. Therefore, organizations and stakeholders should focus on jointly implementing processes, systems and structure improvement which complement and strengthen data quality outcomes. Staff trainings and computerization of information systems should take into account organizational wide-factors which affect the responsiveness, efficiency and effectiveness of the systems. In addition, staff recruitment should take into account staff educational qualification and match it with individual interest and motivation in data related activities to sustain their commitment and performance.