Organizational Factors Influencing the Utilization of Health Information among Health Workers in Juba County, South Sudan

Organizational factors shape whether routine health information is used to guide decisions. In South Sudan, health decisions in primary health care facilities are sometimes made without health information, even as the Ministry of Health strengthens the web-based national health information system (DHIS2).To examine organizational factors influencing the utilization of routine health information among health workers in Juba County. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 220 health workers, sampled from a target population of 423 in 12 purposively selected public health facilities, using structured self-administered questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests, and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) at a 5% significance level. All 220 questionnaires were returned (100% response rate), and 106 respondents (48.2%) reported always using routine health information. Access to a computer and to the internet was significantly associated with the frequency of use. Health workers trained in data utilization (56.9% versus 38.5%; p = 0.013) and in HMIS software (59.4% versus 39.5%; p = 0.028) were more likely to report always using data, whereas general HMIS training (p = 0.059) and training in data collection, data analysis, and data management were not significantly associated. In adjusted analyses, all 95% confidence intervals for the training variables included 1 (for example, data utilization: AOR = 2.88, 95% CI 0.55–15.17). Support for data management was rated low or very low by 40.5% of respondents. Training focused on data utilization and HMIS software, together with functional computers, internet access, and stronger support for data management, is likely to improve the use of routine health information in Juba County. The adjusted estimates were imprecise and should be confirmed in larger studies.