Journal of Health & Medical Informatics

Data Management Knowledge, Practice and Associated Factors of Ethiopian Health Extension Workers in Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional study

Abstract

Sewunet Sako Shagake,Mezgebu Yitayal Mengistu,Atinkut Alamirrew Zeleke*

Background: Producing quality data for decision at all levels of the health system is a global imperative. According
to the assessment of the Ethiopian National Health Information System done by the Federal Ministry of Health and World
Health Organization, health information system resources, data management, dissemination and use were rated as “not
adequate” among the six major components. The aim of this study was to determine the level of data management
knowledge, practice and associated factors among Health Extension Workers.
Method: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 1-22, 2012, among Health Extension
Workers deployed in Gamo Gofa Zone, Southern Ethiopia. A cluster sampling technique was used to select a sample
of 457 participants. A structured self- administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data were entered using
EPI info version 3.5.3 and analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical packages. Descriptive statistics were used to
describe the study population in relation to relevant variables. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was also
carried out to see the effect of each independent variable on the dependent variable.
Results: The study revealed that 58.2% of study participants had good data management knowledge and nearly
three-quarters (74.3%) had a good data management practice. Workers who were supervised every 3 months [AOR=
4.204, 95% CI: (1.372-12.885)] and workers who have reporting formats in their office [AOR=2.631, 95% CI: (1.331-
5.203)] were more likely to have good data management knowledge. Moreover, workers who have of data registration
books and reference materials in their office were more likely to have good data management practice with [AOR=
5.661, 95%CI: (2.019-15.874)] and [AOR=1.870, 95% CI: (1.178-2.968)] respectively.
Conclusions: Data management knowledge was found to be low whereas, data management practice was found to
be high in the study area. Availability of reporting formats and frequency of supervision for data management knowledge,
and availability of reporting formats and data registration book for data management practice of respondents were
identified as significant determinants. Therefore, supplying adequate data management resources, modifying formats
and improving frequency of supervision are necessary tasks to improve the data management knowledge and practice
of Health Extension Workers in Ethiopia.