Quality of routine health data in DHIS2 in South Africa: Eastern Cape province from 2017–2020

Background: Routine health information plays a significant role in managing the healthcare system to make informed decisions, monitor and evaluate, and take action to improve health outcomes. The Eastern Cape Department of Health (ECDoH) officially adopted the online District Health Information System (DHIS2) in 2017. However, evidence suggests that the underutilisation of routinely collected health information for management was often because of poor data quality in routine health information systems.Objectives: This study reviewed the level of quality of the routine health data in the DHIS2 using two quality dimensions, namely data completeness and internal consistency.Method: A retrospective study design was used to assess the quality of data for April 2017– March 2020 utilising the World Health Organization Data Quality Guidelines. Secondary data were extracted from the DHIS2 using standardised reports and captured in Microsoft Excel Office. A total of 265 health facilities and 77 data elements were included and analysed using descriptive analysis and a score grading system.Results: A total of 365 228 data element values were reported, 121 199 missing data values, unaccounted data values were at 248 153, about 6395 data values had outliers, and 5670 data values had validation errors. The rate of data completeness was 74.6%, the internal consistency was 95.1%, and the DHIS2 data quality was 84.9%.Conclusion: The study demonstrates the high quality of DHIS2 data in the ECDoH following the implementation of the online-based system. However, the significant number of missing data elements has impacted data completeness.Contribution: This study contributes to the body of knowledge on the importance of role of data quality for the utilisation routine health information systems as an essential tool for management in the health system.