Evaluating the role of the health information system infrastructure in enhancing data quality in Central Equatoria State, South Sudan

Abstract

Introduction: A health information system (HIS) infrastructure is a critical foundation to produce high-quality routine health data for planning, monitoring, and decision-making, particularly in low-resource and fragile settings such as South Sudan. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of HIS infrastructure on the quality of the Health Management Information System (HMIS) data in public health facilities in Central Equatoria State, South Sudan. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered, structured questionnaire completed by health workers at the public health facilities. Descriptive statistics and Multivariate Analysis of Variance were produced using Stata software version 15. Results: 139 health workers participated in the study. About half (50.4%) of respondents reported routine use of the District Health Information System version 2 (DHIS2); 30.2% of facilities had functional computers or tablets; and 53.2% lacked reliable internet connectivity. The HIS infrastructure factors collectively affect HMIS data quality, as shown by Wilks’ Lambda = 0.507 (p<0.001). Conclusion: Inadequate digital infrastructure, inconsistent training coverage, and limited system utilization undermine HMIS data quality in Central Equatoria State. Strengthening HIS infrastructure, alongside standardized capacity- building and improved reporting processes, is essential to improving routine health data quality in South Sudan. Keywords: health information system, infrastructure, data quality, health facilities, South Sudan