Utilization of Community-based Health Information Systems in Decision Making and Health Action in Nyalenda, Kisumu County, Kenya

Abstract

Information should form the backbone of decisions that effect change in all areas. It is therefore paramount in health, for information to be used for decision making. In effect this will bring about equity in health resource allocation. The development of comprehensive community based health information systems is increasingly becoming important for measuring and improving the quality of health services. Many developing countries including Kenya have made efforts to strengthen their national health information systems to provide information for decision-making in managing health care services. The purpose of this paper is to explore how data collected at the community level is utilised by various stakeholders within the community in order to produce actionable information for decision making. This was a descriptive, cross sectional study. The qualitative aspects of data collection involved key informant interviews and focused group discussions with the health service providers; potential health services users, and community health workers. Findings indicated that strong local ownership of data developed at the community. The main perspectives of service providers included joint ownership of health intervention programs at the community level, the community owned their health and aimed to improve it and community health workers to champion on health and development issues to bring about change.