ArticleBMC health services research2026
Health data reporting challenges in public health facilities in the age of DHIS2: a mixed-methods study in the Teso sub-region of Uganda.
Article in BMC health services research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.
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6 citing papers in PubMed.
- From campaign to continuity: stakeholders' recommendations for integrating HPV vaccination into Nigeria's healthcare system.BMC health services research · 2026Article
- Climate variability and malaria incidence trends in Yumbe District, West Nile Sub-region of Uganda (2017-2021).Malaria journal · 2026Article
- Implementation of Digital Device-Assisted and Nurse-Led Case Management to Promote Self-Management in Adults With Noncommunicable Diseases: Protocol for a Single-Arm Intervention Study.JMIR research protocols · 2026Article
- Barriers and facilitators of the effective use of DHIS2 data to improve program planning and monitoring in Uganda: a sequential mixed methods study.Oxford open digital health · 2026Article
- Comparative Effectiveness of DHIS2 and FAIR Data Approaches for Privacy-Preserving Health Data Analytics in Uganda: A Systematic Review.ClinicoEconomics and outcomes research : CEOR · 2025Review
- Incidence, Mortality, and Premature Mortality From Neonatal Disorders in Eastern Sub-Saharan Africa, From 1990 to 2023.Sage open pediatricsArticle
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8 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundIn Uganda, the complete and timely reporting of priority disease data by health centers is critical for detecting outbreaks. However, all levels of health centers face significant reporting challenges, which compromise data fidelity and public health. To assess the efficacy of existing systems, we aimed to (i) compare reporting performance among districts in the Teso region of Eastern Uganda, (ii) ascertain the association between volume of outpatient department (OPD) visits and reporting rates at facilities, and (iii) characterize reporting challenges at public health facilities.
methodsWe queried Uganda’s Electronic Health Management Information System database, DHIS2, regarding the completeness (reporting rate) and timeliness (reporting rate on time) of priority disease data submission within Teso from January 1st-April 30th, 2024. We selected the three lowest-performing districts in both metrics and assessed reporting at all health centers within these districts. We used linear regression to determine the relationship between the aggregate number of outpatient visits per health facility and their mean reporting rates. At seven health facilities across the three districts, we conducted focused group discussions to enumerate reporting challenges.
resultsOf all 11 districts in Teso, seven (64%) scored ≥ 80% for completeness and two (18%) scored ≥ 80% for submission timeliness across health facilities. The median (IQR) scores for completeness and timeliness were 83% (75–93%) and 69% (55–75%), respectively. The three lowest performing districts in both metrics were Soroti City, Soroti district, and Ngora district. In Soroti City, increasing number of OPD visits was associated with higher reporting rate percentages (b [slope] = 0.005, p = 0.01). The main reasons given for low reporting rates included limited staff trained on data entry protocols, competing responsibilities, and lack of reliable internet access.
conclusionsThe implementation of DHIS2 has improved public health and disease surveillance in Uganda, but institutional-level data reporting challenges continue to impair disease tracking. Targeted interventions to relieve such barriers is possible.
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