A recent study conducted in the Hohoe Municipality of Ghana highlights significant concerns about the quality of malaria data recorded at primary health facilities, particularly within Community-Based Health Planning and Service (CHPS) compounds.
Malaria remains one of the foremost public health challenges globally, and quality data collection is integral to developing effective strategies for prevention and management. The World Health Organization reported over 244 million malaria cases worldwide, with sub-Saharan Africa bearing the brunt of this burden. Ghana is no exception, with malaria accounting for approximately 40% of outpatient department cases.
This study, led by researchers Ayisah, Kpenu, Dzantor, and colleagues, focused on the routine malaria data captured on the District Health Management Information System (DHIMS II) from January 2018 to December 2022. The researchers analyzed the quality of data concerning suspected, tested, and confirmed malaria cases across four CHPS facilities.
To achieve this, the team utilized data from three different sources: DHIMS II, monthly morbidity report forms, and consulting room registers. A rigorous validation tool assessed the quality of the malaria indicators based on their availability, completeness, and accuracy. The findings revealed mixed results; for example, 50% of health facilities met the target for the availability of monthly morbidity reports during certain years.
While half of the facilities demonstrated reliable and complete data, inconsistencies with the DHIMS II database raise concerns about its dependability for guiding health decisions. One of the key findings underlines the importance of high accuracy for malaria data reporting. It is pivotal as accurate information is necessary for tracking progress and developing targeted interventions to combat malaria effectively.
Significantly, the study discovered several barriers undermining data quality. These included poor health data management systems and infrastructural limitations across facilities, leading to challenges such as incomplete data submissions and inconsistencies with reported figures. Half of the health establishments were marked by accurate reporting, but underreporting trouble persisted at others, making the situation not ideal for informed decision-making.
The study's conclusion stresses the urgent need for improving the systems used to capture malaria data at health facilities. Although the quality of data showed promising aspects, it highlighted areas needing substantial support and enhancement. It reflects upon the Ghana Health Service’s National Malaria Elimination Strategic Plan, which aims to set the foundation for improved data quality across health facilities and encourage evidence-based decisions.
Burdened by the twin challenges of prevalence and data reliability, any steps taken to fortify data management will have cascading benefits, assisting healthcare providers and policymakers alike to strategize effectively against malaria's persistent threat.