ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Sound and reliable health information is needed to promote culture of evidence based decision making. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge and attitudes of healthcare providers to use District health information system among public health facilities in South-West Ethiopia. METHOD: Cross sectional quantitative study was conducted. A total of 264 participants were approached. Descriptive and analytical statistics was done. RESULT: Overall 130 (49.2%) of respondents had good knowledge to use DHIS (95% CI: [43, 55.3]). 149 (56.4%) of respondents had favourable attitudes (95% CI: [53.2, 59.8]). Sufficient skills [AOR = 2.20, 95% CI: (1.16, 4.19)], older age [AOR = 1.92, 95% CI: (1.03, 3.59)] , resources [AOR = 2.56, 95% CI: (1.35, 4.86)], staffing [AOR = 2.85, 95% CI: (1.49, 5.48)] and high experiences [AOR = 4.66, 95% CI: (1.94, 5.78)] were variables associated with knowledge. Being trained [AOR = 3.59, 95% CI: (2.48, 5.42)], provision of feedback [AOR = 4.08, 95% CI: (1.87, 8.91)], motivation [AOR = 2.87, 95% CI: (1.36, 6.06)] and health need [AOR = 2.32, 95% CI: (1.10, 4.92)] were variables associated with attitudes. CONCLUSION: Thus, Knowledge and attitudes of healthcare providers to use DHIS working in public health facilities in this setting is relatively low. The results highlight the need to improve knowledge and attitudes to use DHIS among healthcare providers focusing on the identified gaps.
