Facilitators, best practices and barriers to integrating family planning data in Uganda’s health management information system
Loading...
Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC health services research
Abstract
Health management information systems (HMIS) are instrumental in addressing health delivery problems
and strengthening health sectors by generating credible evidence about the health status of clients. There is paucity of
studies which have explored possibilities for integrating family planning data from the public and private health sectors in
Uganda’s national HMIS. This study sought to investigate the facilitators, best practices and barriers of integrating family
planning data into the district and national HMIS in Uganda.
Methods: We conducted a qualitative study in Kampala, Jinja, and Hoima Districts of Uganda, based on 16 key informant
interviews and a multi-stakeholder dialogue workshop with 11 participants. Deductive and inductive thematic methods
were used to analyze the data.
Results: The technical facilitators of integrating family planning data from public and private facilities in the national and
district HMIS were user-friendly software; web-based and integrated reporting; and availability of resources, including
computers. Organizational facilitators included prioritizing family planning data; training staff; supportive supervision; and
quarterly performance review meetings. Key behavioral facilitators were motivation and competence of staff. Collaborative
networks with implementing partners were also found to be essential for improving performance and sustainability.
Significant technical barriers included limited supply of computers in lower level health facilities, complex forms, double
and therefore tedious entry of data, and web-reporting challenges. Organizational barriers included limited human
resources; high levels of staff attrition in private facilities; inadequate training in data collection and use; poor culture of
information use; and frequent stock outs of paper-based forms. Behavioral barriers were low use of family planning data
for planning purposes by district and health facility staff.
Description
Keywords
Health information system, Uganda, Sub-Saharan Africa, DHIS, HMIS, Facilitators, Best practices, Barriers
Citation
Wandera, S. O., Kwagala, B., Nankinga, O., Ndugga, P., Kabagenyi, A., Adamou, B., & Kachero, B. (2019). Facilitators, best practices and barriers to integrating family planning data in Uganda’s health management information system. BMC health services research, 19(1), 1-13.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4151-9