Health Information Systems Utilization: A Comparison of Extent and Magnitude in Public and Private Health Facilities in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

ABSTRACT:Health information systems (HISs) are critical tools that have been widely adopted and implemented in healthcare settings around the world, intending to improve the quality of healthcare services (OHSs) delivered. However, it is the extent and magnitude of HISs utilization that seem to guarantee improvement in the quality of health care. The study explored the extent to which HISs have been utilized in selected public and private health facilities (PPHFs) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and the determinants of its utilization. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed to collect data using the Kobo Collect survey tool from 140 respondents and 12 key informants. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages), Inferential statistics (Pearson chi-square tests), and Linear regression analyses were employed to analyse data. The analysis revealed that private ownership has a higher utilization rate of HIS (61.4%) compared to public ownership (38.6%). Moreover, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness were significant predictors of actual use of the system, suggesting that users who found the system easy to use and useful were more likely to use it. In conclusion, the utilization of HIS in Tanzania seems to be influenced by various factors, including ownership type.

KEYWORDS:Determinants of Health Information Systems utilization, Health Information Systems, Health Information Systems Utilization, Private Health Facilities, Public Health Facilities