Abstract:
Background:Using reliable information from routine health information systems over time is an important aid to
improving health outcomes, tackling disparities, enhancing efficiency, and encouraging innovation. In Ethiopia,
routine health information utilization for enhancing performance is poor among health workers, especially at the
peripheral levels of health facilities. Therefore, this study aimed to assess routine health information system
utilization and associated factors among health workers at government health institutions in East Gojjam Zone,
Northwest Ethiopia.
Methods:An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted at government health institutions of East Gojjam
Zone, Northwest Ethiopia from April to May, 2013. A total of 668 health workers were selected from government health
institutions, using the cluster sampling technique. Data collected using a standard structured and self-administered
questionnaire and an observational checklist were cleaned, coded, and entered into Epi-info version 3.5.3, and
transferred into SPSS version 20 for further statistical analysis. Variables with ap-value of less than 0.05 at multiple
logistic regression analysis were considered statistically significant factors for the utilization of routine health
information systems.
Results:The study revealed that 45.8% of the health workers had a good level of routine health information
utilization. HMIS training [AOR = 2.72,95% CI: 1.60, 4.62], good data analysis skills [AOR = 6.40, 95%CI: 3.93, 10.37],
supervision [AOR = 2.60, 95% CI: 1.42, 4.75], regular feedback [AOR = 2.20, 95% CI: 1.38, 3.51], and favorable attitude
towards health information utilization [AOR = 2.85, 95% CI: 1.78, 4.54] were found significantly associated with a good
level of routine health information utilization.
Conclusion:More than half of the health workers working at government health institutions of East Gojjam were poor
health information users compared with the findings of others studies. HMIS training, data analysis skills, supervision,
regular feedback, and favorable attitude were factors related to routine health information system utilization. Therefore,
a comprehensive training, supportive supervision, and regular feedback are highly recommended for improving routine
health information utilization among health workers at government health facilities.
Keywords:Routine health information utilization, Health workers, Northwest Ethiopia
