The Use of Digital Register Systems and Perceived Data Quality and Reporting Timeliness at Peripheral Health Units in Nongowa Chiefdom, Kenema District, Sierra Leone

Abstract

Routine health data support decision-making only when they are accurate, complete, and available on time. This study examined the use of digital register systems (DHIS2 and eIDSR) and the associated data quality and reporting timeliness at Peripheral Health Units (PHUs) in Nongowa Chiefdom, Kenema District, Sierra Leone. A descriptive cross-sectional survey used a Yamane (1967) sample of 100 health workers from purposively selected PHUs; 96 consented and completed a structured questionnaire (96% response rate), supported by a facility record-review checklist. Data were analyzed descriptively in SPSS. The workforce was experienced and largely trained (95.8%), operating mainly within DHIS2 but entering data monthly rather than at the point of service, with 87.5% still keeping full paper registers. Respondents perceived high accuracy and completeness, driven by validation rules and mandatory fields, and rated timeliness as the strongest dimension. Dominant barriers were unreliable power and connectivity, workload, duplication, staff turnover, and training gaps. The perceived gains remain conditional on infrastructure and workforce stability.