Evaluation of Utilization of Health Management Information System by Health Unit Management Committees in Luuka District, Uganda.

Abstract

The study was about Management and Utilization of Health Management Information system (HMIS) by Health Unit Management Committees (HUMCs) in Luuka District. The investigation was based on a realization that inefficiency is occurring at all the levels of HMIS management within the health sector and the line sectors/ stake holders. The intention was to ascertain the type of information generated for use by HUMCs, how the information is generated and establish the information used in planning and monitoring by HUMCs. A descriptive and evaluative survey was used because the findings of the study called mainly for evaluative analysis of the utilization of HMIS by HUMCs. A sample of 68 respondents was selected using stratified and purposive sampling techniques. Data analysis was done descriptively. According to results generated, 94% of the respondents acknowledged that information generated from patients in the various health units is used by HUMCs specifically to; planning and monitoring, for returns to DDHS office at Luuka district, and for review of financial statement. The basic challenge was that though catalogued, limited information is recorded and yet patients do not want to carry information sheets whenever they come back for more treatment. It was therefore concluded that though HUMCs require information to review, plan and monitor activities/services, these tasks are difficult because in most health facilities, information required is not shared by patients and health workers. The study also concluded that in most heath units, information is well managed and the effectiveness of using HMIS is moderate. It was recommended that patients should start coming to health units with their documents to ease follow up of their treatment by health workers. In addition, health workers were recommended to make it mandatory to only serve a patient with documents to improve on information flow between patients and medical workers.