PRISM Evaluation Published in BMC Health Services Research
Sound policy, resource allocation and
day-to-day management decisions in the health sector require timely
information from routine health information systems (RHIS).
In most low- and middle-income countries, the RHIS is viewed as being
inadequate in providing quality data and continuous information that can
be used to help improve health system performance. In addition, there
is limited evidence on the effectiveness of
RHIS strengthening interventions in improving data quality and use.
The study evaluated the usefulness of the newly
developed Performance of Routine Information System Management (PRISM)
framework, which consists of a conceptual framework
and associated data collection and analysis tools to assess, design,
strengthen and evaluate RHIS. The specific objectives of the study were to:
a) assess the reliability and validity of the PRISM instruments and
b) assess the validity of the PRISM conceptual
framework.
Study results provide some empirical support for the reliability and validity of the PRISM instruments and the validity of the PRISM conceptual framework, suggesting that the PRISM approach can be effectively used by RHIS policy makers and practitioners to assess the RHIS and evaluate RHIS strengthening interventions. However, additional studies with larger sample sizes are needed to further investigate the value of the PRISM instruments in exploring the linkages between RHIS data quality and use, and health systems performance.
The study results also suggest that a promotion of a culture of information influences RHIS tasks self-efficacy, RHIS tasks competence and motivation, and that self-efficacy and the presence of RHIS staff have a direct influence on the use of RHIS information, a key aspect of RHIS performance.
Learn about PRISM.
