Evaluation of Health Management Information System data quality and information use for HIV/AIDS programs in public health facilities of Jimma town, Southwest Ethiopia

Background Poor data quality is a critical challenge to meet the global and national health goals since performance of the health system cannot be adequately monitored. Despite significant investments, HIV/AIDS program data quality remains challenging in developing countries including Ethiopia to make informed decision. The aim of this study was to evaluate health management information system data quality and information use for HIV/AIDS program in Jimma town public health facilities, South West Ethiopia, 2022. Method Facility-based cross-sectional evaluation with mixed methods was employed from June 22 to July 06/2022 at five public health facilities providing Anti-Retroviral Therapy in Jimma town. A total of 234 randomly selected HIV-positive patients’ medical records were reviewed, and a mobile-based data collection method was employed. Finally, resource availability, data quality and information use were analyzed separately and judged depending on judgment parameter. Results The overall resource availability, data quality and information use were 75.1%, 77.2% and 70.4% respectively. None of the providers working on Voluntary Counselling and Testing service were trained on data quality. There was a lack of SmartCare, internet and printers in some health facilities. Report timeliness, data completeness and data consistency were 46.7%, 91.1% and 84.2% respectively. Performance monitoring team meetings were not held on a monthly basis and some facilities didn’t use the standard performance monitoring team logbook. Conclusion The overall level of resource availability, data quality and information use were judged as good for each. However, report timeliness, data consistency and information uses were below the recommended national standards. Data quality related training should be provided for health care provides. SmartCare, internet, printers and guidelines should be supplied for the health facilities.