Factors Influencing Utilization of Health Information System in the Management of Missed Appointments among HIV Positive Patients in Mombasa County

Abstract

A health system requires a well-functioning health information system as it enhances measurement of health outcomes, accountability for resource allocations and assists in arriving at effective health care decisions. An effective health information system captures individual patient data including demographics and data related to clinics on management of population, analysis and reporting of patient risk elements and pinpointing of proactive patients therefore providing reminders where care is delivered. This process of utilizing health information reduces missed appointments, increases retention rate and improves patients’ health outcome .With low retention rates among HIV positive patients, this study aimed at determining the factors associated with the utilization of health information in curbing missed appointments. Utilization of health information involve collection, collation and monitoring in identification of key areas worth addressing within the health structures to direct designing of suitable health mediation to advance health. The research study was guided by the following specific objective to establish infrastructural factors influencing health information utilization. This study utilized descriptive cross-sectional study design using quantitative method of data collection to assess utilization of health information among healthcare workers. The study population for this research was approximately 215 CCC, a sample size of 69 health care workers in three high volume hospitals offering HIV care in Mombasa County (Coast general, Bomu Hospital and Portreitz). Primary data was obtained via questionnaires while secondary data was obtained from hospital records available, the registers, EMR and reports generated. The data was coded and analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. From the findings, half of the staff had been trained on data management while half was not. All the health facilities used Electronic Medical Records however with unstable local network connectivity. It was also noted that staff supervision was inconsistent and that staff had negative attitude towards data use. There is need for users and utilizers of health information to be trained in all aspects of data to enhance data quality; there is also need to ensure availability of data collection tools either soft or hard. Advocacy for consistent support supervision to facilitate data utilization; this would improve the staff attitude on data capture, demand and use.