142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

Annual Meeting Recordings are now available for purchase

306355
Strengthening health management information systems for improved service delivery: Lessons from Nigeria

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Wednesday, November 19, 2014 : 8:42 AM - 8:54 AM

Amina Aminu, MBBS; MPH , Partnership for Transforming Health Systems Phase II (PATHS2) Nigeria, FCT, Nigeria
Ibrahim Yisa, MBBS; MPH; FMCPH , Partnership for Transforming Health System Systems Phase II (PATHS2) Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
Mike Egboh, BSc; MPH , Partnership for Transforming Health Systems Phase II (PATHS2) Nigeria, Abuja; FCT, Nigeria
Kuhu Maitra, MBBS, DCH, MD , International Health Division, Abt Associates, Bethesda, MD
One of the building blocks of the health system is a solid information structure that generates timely evidence for effective decision-making. This has been a major challenge within the Nigerian health system where data management is fragmented across the local, state and federal levels. Furthermore, the health system data is of poor quality, impeding effective performance. 

The United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID)-funded Partnership for Transforming Health Systems Phase 2 (PATHS2) project supported the Federal Ministry of Health to improve the health management information system (HMIS) infrastructure using a three-pronged approach consisting of:

  1. Strengthening data collection through reviewing national data collection tools and training facility personnel on their use
  2. Improving data quality by supporting states and local government areas  to conduct Data Quality Assurance (DQA) processes
  3. Institutionalizing the District Health Information System 2.0, a software for establishing a unified and reliable national HMIS for the entire country

Results indicate that the percentage of facilities in focal states whose HMIS met acceptable standards for data quality increased from 54% in 2009 to 74% in 2013. At the national level, the rate increased from 10% in January 2012 to approximately 26% in May 2013. In addition, implementation of the DHIS 2.0 software facilitated integration of the national HMIS with other states embracing the approach. Instituting an integrated HMIS within the health system can improve the data reporting rate and quality in resource-poor settings for improved overall health system performance.

Learning Areas:

Administration, management, leadership
Program planning

Learning Objectives:
Describe the role of health information in health system performance Demonstrate the three-pronged approach required to improve health management information systems in Nigeria

Keyword(s): Reporting, Data Collection and Surveillance

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the Director of Service Delivery at the Partnership for Transforming Health systems in Nigeria which focuses on strengthening systems for improved service delivery. I led the implementation of the service delivery strategy which has eight pillars including strengthening health management information systems in five project states and at the National level.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.