In collaboration with National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) is carrying out formative research on data quality.
A team from AFENET made this known during an advocacy visit to the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (ASPHCDA) office complex, Awka.
The Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA, Dr Chioma Ezenyimulu said the assessment had become necessary following wide discrepancy observed in data across reporting indicators over time.
“This research will aid the state to fine tune its data tools. The study is the very key and its design is well understood.’’
Dr Ezenyimulu, who noted that data quality was very important as it was used for planning, said that there was a need for increased human resources for health to improve data generation.
AFENET representative, Mr Kazeem Olalekan said that the purpose of the research was to identity drivers and forms of data quality, perception and attitude of stakeholders as well as identity motivators and barriers to data quality.
Miss Clara Oguji also a representative of AFENET noted that the research was ongoing simultaneously at state and some select Local Government Areas (LGAs) in four states of the federation.
“In Anambra State we will be working in Onitsha North and Ogbaru LGAs.’’
She said that the project was aimed at improving quality and acceptability of primary healthcare data for quality and programmatic decision-making using behavioural approaches while leveraging ongoing technical approaches.
“We intend to use a problem solving approach, where health facility and LGA staff members will proffer feasible solutions to poor data quality, approach to motivate staff members and perceived barriers to data use.
“We will also document data management process at National level as the research will involve asking some questions about opinion or perception of the states on data quality.’’
The AFENET representative, however, noted that their focus was on those, who have to do with data at their various levels of health duties.
