Health workers with good self-perceived competency have lower actual competency levels on HIS in Eastern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: Utilization of health information is critical to meeting service performance goals and for making informed decisions. However, in resource limited countries, health data is rarely used in decisions around program improvements. This study aimed to assess the determinants of competency levels for health workers who utilized data from health information systems in Eastern Ethiopia. Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out from April -May 2021 at selected public health facilities in the Dire Dawacityand Harar regions. A total of 129 health professionals were included in the study and simple random sampling techniques were used to select health facilities. Data was collected using face-to-face interviews and competency levels were measured using a tool adapted from the Performance of Routine Information Systems Management (PRISM) framework. STATA version 16 was used for data analysis. A linear regression model was applied to determine the linear relationship between self-perceived competency and the actual competency levels of the healthcare workers.Adjusted beta (ß) along with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to measure the strength of the association with a p-value < 0.05. Results:The overall mean for the actual competency levels of health workers who utilized data was 20.45 [95% CI: 16.71, 24.19]. Being head of a hospital/health center (ß: 19.24, 95% CI: 4.42, 34.06), perusing HIS training (ß: 14.38, 95% CI: 6.10, 22.67) and good perceived competency to perform RHIS tasks (ß: -12.96, 95% CI: -25.49, -0.43) were significantly associated with actual competency levels.Conclusion:The Health workers with high perceivedcompetency levels were found to have actual competency levels that were low. Health information systemfocused trainings were found to be positively associated with actual competency levels and being a hospital or health center head was found to be associated negatively to the actual competency levels of health workers. This research has found that providing health information system training for health workers could prove to be beneficial. There is also a need for initiatives aimed at enhancing competency in order to improve the health information systems related competency levels and data use.[Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2022;36(SI-1)]

Performance based financing and job satisfaction in a semiurban health district in Cameroon

The performance based financing approach is being tested in four regions of Cameroon, including the Littoral region. Our study aimed to study the effects associated with the implementation of the performance based financing approach within the health facilities based in the health district of Edea in the Littoral region in Cameroon. We've carried out a cross sectional analytical study among 178 health personnel from 21 health facilities under PBF-contract within the health district of Edea. We have studied their sociodemographic characteristics, the individual and collective effects resulting from the performance based financing subsidies and the level of job satisfaction. Participants' job satisfaction was measured with the French version of the Minnesota satisfaction scale. The results were presented in a descriptive and analytical form at the alpha = 5% and the P-value 5%. We recruited 113 women and 65 men. The mean age was 39.19 ± 8.95 years. The individual results of the performance based financing were the regular collection of subsidies between F CFA 20-40.000 (42.1%), the improvement of working conditions (74.2%) and living conditions (67.4%) and the acquisition of new skills (69.7%). Collectively, participants confirmed the increase of the users attendance (65.7%), the improvement of the internal organization (79.8%), the purchase of new equipment (84.3%) and the improved quality of health care (86%). Satisfaction is influenced by age (P=0.016), gender (P=0.01), occupational category (P=0.04), type of health facility (P=0.02) and the amount of subsidies (P=0.03). The healthcare personnel's were satisfied with the improvement of their social conditions (66.67%), working conditions (62.88%), the transparency in health centers management (69%) and their involvement in the health centers' functioning (76.6%). Participants were dissatisfied with their salaries (70.2%) and the lack of opportunities for advancement (47.8%). The positive effects of the performance based financing approach contributed to the job satisfaction of the healthcare workers in the Edea health district. These results should prompt the government to extend the performance based financing approach to communities and other health districts in Cameroon

Perceived and real histopathology turnaround time: A teaching hospital experience

Background: This study aims to audit analytic turnaround time (TAT) in a histopathology laboratory with a view to assessing the timeliness of its reports, identify causes of delay in its TAT, and compare this with client perception of its performance. Materials and Methods: Records of 1440 batches of specimens processed over a 5-year period in the histopathology laboratory of a teaching hospital were retrieved from archives. From these, median and mean TATs were calculated and causes of delay identified. Questionnaires were also deployed to assess physicians' perception of the laboratory's performance. Results: Analytic TAT was 3.6 ± 2 days, with 86.7% of reports being ready within 5 working days. The delays in timeliness of report generation were due mainly to residency training-related factors; tissue processing-related factors, and inadequate clinical information among others. Client perception of TAT rated the laboratory below average by 18.4%; average by 57.5%; good by 20.7%, and excellent in its performance by 3.4% of respondents. Conclusion: Even though physicians perceived the laboratory's TAT to be just average, its analytic TAT for reports is within acceptable international standards but with room for improvement in its performance

Exploring the relationship between demographic factors; performance and fortitude in a group of diverse 1st-year medical students

Background. The majority of 1st-year students are ill-equipped for university life. This heightens stress levels; which are accentuated by a lack of resilience and impact negatively on academic performance and personal wellbeing.Objectives. To explore; within the paradigm of positive psychology; the relationship between the self; family and support constructs of fortitude; and academic performance of 1st-year medical students.Method. First-year medical students completed a fortitude questionnaire and their academic performances in two academic modules were collated. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were employed for statistical analysis of the variables. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the relationship between academic performance and fortitude subscales; as well as the fortitude composite score.Results. The student population was multicultural; multilingual and had different educational and residential backgrounds. The fortitude instrument was found to be reliable and correlated significantly with student academic performance. Male students had significantly higher fortitude scores than female students. Students who had attended state/government schools had significantly lower fortitude than those who had attended private and ex-Model C schools. Students with prior degrees had higher fortitude than matriculants.Conclusion. The significant; albeit moderate; positive correlation between fortitude and academic performance highlights the need for further exploration of wellbeing and holistic development of medical students. Support programmes are recommended to bridge the gap related to gender and educational background. Low and fair levels of fortitude indicate a need for corrective measures. These could include consulting relevant support networks such as student counsellors; mentors and academic development personnel