Capacity building interventions for data capture and analysis in Ekurhuleni Health District

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of capacity building among data clerks in Ekurhuleni health district. The study draws on human capital theory which indicates that humans acquire knowledge through training and education, and the acquired knowledge must ultimately improve or increase their skills on the job to perform better than the untrained employee. Health information systems provide data to various users and serve numerous functions, including producing information that helps decision-makers at all health system levels recognise problems and needs, make informed health policy decisions, and allocate limited resources efficiently. This research employed an explanatory sequential mixed-method methodology. Data was collected in two phases. In phase one data was collected through a survey questionnaire and, during phase two, data was collected using a semi-structured interview. The study found that capacity building improves the ability of data captures to capture and analyse data. Training has contributed to building the capacity of data clerks to be able to capture and analyse data in Ekurhuleni health district. However, the age of participants, level of education as well and years of experience play a significant role in conditioning the effectiveness of capacity building. There are also factors that counter the effects of capacity building that need to be addressed to enable capacity building to contribute more fully to building the capacity of data clerks. The study recommends that the training given to the data clerks be more practical than theoretical so that they will be able to apply and internalise it. HIS sub-district managers might better support data clerks, by visiting data clerks in the facility at least once a month and mentoring them in data analysis.