Ramesh Kumar, Babar Tasneem Shaikh, Arshad Karim Chandio, Jamil Ahmed.
Role of health management information system in disease reporting at a rural district of Sindh.
Pak J Public Health Jan ;2(2):10-2.

Introduction: Health information system in Pakistan is poorly designed and data collection is mostly incomplete, inaccurate, untimely and unrelated, which renders it of little help in decision making for planning and management of health services. This study was conducted to investigate the role of Health Management Information System (HMIS) in disease reporting in district Jamshoro, Sindh. Methods: It is descriptive study based on the data recorded in District HMIS cell and monthly reports of 34 health facilities on priority diseases and other related health events. Observations were also made on various steps, components and the application of HMIS in disease reporting. Results: Results show that 34 (47%) health facilities out of 72 are reporting and 38 (53%) were not reporting any data to district HMIS cell. Trained personnel were employed in 27(77) % of health facilities, 62% reports received were found to be accurate, 20.6% partially accurate and 17.6% were not accurate. Only 38% reports were sent in time and rest were delayed. About 85% reports were analyzed and interpreted; and in 79% of the cases any action was taken. Improper maintenance of record, lack of interest and cooperation of facility staff, inadequate staffing, and poor supervision, were the factors affecting reporting. Conclusion: There is a need to initiate organizational development and institutional strengthening initiatives on disease reporting in HMIS in rural areas of Sind.

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