Routine health information utilization and associated factors among health care workers in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background Utilization of routine health information plays a vital role for the effectiveness of routine and programed decisions. A proper utilization of routine health information helps to make decisions based on evidence. Considerable studies have been done on the utilization of routine health information among health workers in Ethiopia, but inconsistent findings were reported. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the pooled utilization of routine health information and to identify associated factors among health workers in Ethiopia. Methods Search of PubMed, HINARI, Global Health, Scopus, EMBASE, web of science, and Google Scholar was conducted to identify relevant studies from October 24, 2020 to November 18, 2020. The Newcastle-Ottawa scale tool was used to assess the quality of included studies. Two reviewers extracted the data independently using a standardized data extraction format and exported to STATA software version 11 for meta-analysis. Heterogeneity among studies was checked using Cochrane Q and I2 test statistics. The pooled estimate of utilization of routine health information was executed using a random effect model. Results After reviewing 22924 studies, 10 studies involving 4054 health workers were included for this review and meta-analysis. The pooled estimate of routine health information utilization among health workers in Ethiopia was 57.42% (95% CI: 41.48, 73.36). Supportive supervision (AOR = 2.25; 95% CI: 1.80, 2.82), regular feedback (AOR = 2.86; 95% CI: 1.60, 5.12), availability of standard guideline (AOR = 2.53; 95% CI: 1.80, 3.58), data management knowledge (AOR = 3.04; 95% CI: 1.75, 5.29) and training on health information (AOR = 3.45; 95% CI: 1.96, 6.07) were identified factors associated with utilization of routine health information. Conclusion This systematic review and meta-analysis found that more than two-fifth of health workers did not use their routine health information. This study suggests the need to conduct regular supportive supervision, provision of training and capacity building, mentoring on competence of routine health information tasks, and strengthening regular feedback at all health facilities. In addition, improving the accessibility and availability of standard set of indicators is important to scale-up information use.

Health Workers' Use of Routine Health Information and Related Factors at Public Health Institutions in Illubabor Zone, Western Ethiopia

“…In this study, information use practice was less likely among trained health workers compared to untrained health workers. This nding was in contradiction to other studies that found RHI training was positively associated with proper information utilization (17,20,24,26,27,29). In the study area, the majority of health workers were trained, with a higher proportion of them having received training before the 12 months survey period.…”

“…Access to good quality data in turn in uences better utilization of information. This nding was supported by other studies that showed health workers' knowledge of RHI management was associated with good information utilization (17,20).…”

“…This is better than studies done in the East Gojam zone, Northern Ethiopia (45.8%)(24) Diredawa, Eastern Ethiopia (53.1%) (25), Addis Ababa (37.3%)(18), Western Amhara (38.4%) (26), Oromia special zone (52.8%) (27), hospitals of Oromia regional state (56%)(28), and Southwest Ethiopia (57.3%) (29). The nding was also better than a study conducted in selected districts of Amhara region (46%) (30), estimated pooled prevalence of information use at the national level (57.4%) (17), a study conducted in Tanzania (31) and another study conducted in Kenya among health care providers (34%) (32) . The current study's nding, on the other hand, was lower than that of a study conducted in North Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia (78.5%) (19), and the North Shewa zone of the Oromia region (71.6%) (33).…”

“…Though Ethiopia has implemented routine health information systems for more than a decade, the progress made in terms of information utilization is steady. Information utilization among health workers stands at 57.42% (17). Whereas cross-sectional studies revealed that information utilization among health workers in Ethiopia ranged from 37.…”

“…Weak information utilization at the point of data generation is attributed to various factors, mainly grouped under technical, organizational, and behavioral factors. Health worker's characteristics, availability of HIS focused training and supportive supervision, good perceived culture of health information, having a standard set of indicators, competence of health workers on health information tasks, and good governance were the determinants of information use (17,19,20). Understanding the factors affecting of health information use at the point of data generation by taking into consideration the broader determinants has paramount importance for improving the health information system.…”