Health information use and the associated factors among public health facilities of the Sidama Zone, southern Ethiopia: a facility-based cross-sectional study

A strong Health Information System (HIS) is a foundation for evidence-based decision making in health care management. However, there is a dearth of literature with respect to health information use practice, particularly in public health facilities of Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional, facility-based quantitative study was conducted from February 1 to February 29, 2018. Quantitative data was collected using a structured questionnaire and checklists from a sample of 48 health facilities and 213 health workers, and analyzed using binary logistic regression. To complement the quantitative findings, qualitative data was collected using key informant interviews. The level of information use based on standard observation checklists was 58%. Health information system’s specific supportive supervision (Adjusted Odd Ratio, AOR, 3.070; 95% Confidence Interval, CI, 1.206, 7.816), staff’s perception of data use practice (AOR=3.732, 95%CI 1.383, 10.068), and staff’s experience of root cause analysis (AOR=3.782, 95%CI 1.456, 9.819) were significant factors associated with the information use. Health information use among public health facilities was low. Strengthening supportive supervision, awareness creation on the use of available data, and improving the skill of root cause analysis of the problem is recommended.