ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: In order to guide the decisions of programme managers, an immunization Data Quality Self-Assessment was performed in Côte d'Ivoire in 2012. This study was designed to assess the accuracy of immunization data and the quality of the immunization tracking system with this tool. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 88 randomly selected immunization facilities from 30 health districts. These structures were included in the study based on the number of children aged 0-11 months who received three doses of vaccine against Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B Viral and Haemophilus Influenzae b on the one hand and measles vaccine coverage on the other. This assessment focused on two criteria in particular: accuracy of immunization data measured by the verification factor (VF) and the quality of the immunization tracking system. RESULTS: The accuracy of immunization data was satisfactory at the district level (VF=95%), but not for the health centre level (VF=81%), as 73% of health districts and health centres obtained a satisfactory factor (≥95%).The number of children aged 0-11 months vaccinated differed from one level of the health system to another and from one document to another.The mean quality index was not satisfactory for both the district and health centre levels (64% vs 50%). Only one health district and one health centre obtained a quality index greater than 80%. Furthermore, 93% of health districts and 50% of health centres obtained quality indices ranging from 50% and 80%, respectively.The weakest components at both levels were "supervision and monitoring" and "analysis and use of data". CONCLUSION: The deficiencies in data reporting and the quality of the immunization monitoring system need to be improved by supportive supervision.
