Tamiru Bogale
Back ground: Recording and reporting of data is a fundamental component of providing quality care to patients with tuberculosis (TB) and disease control. When highquality data are available, successes can be documented and corrective actions taken to address identified problems. In Benishangul Gumuze regional state in Ethiopia data quality is not routinely assessed and there is a concern on TB/HIV surveillance data quality.
Methods: A facility based cross-sectional study was conducted in 13 randomly selected public health facilities which were engaged in diagnosing and treatment of TB in the region. Each selected facility was visited to assess the quality of TB/HIV routine data, over one year period. Data was collected using a structured data capture form. Availability, completeness, accuracy, timeliness of surveillance data as well as concordance of reporting by the TB program and the health management information system, HMIS was assessed.
Results: The overall quality of TB/HIV routine data as measured by the average score for source document availability, data accuracy, completeness and timeliness of reporting was found 81.1%. In 9 of 13(69.2%) health facilities, above 85% had kept the required TB source document in their TB unit. The proportion of TB patients tested for HIV and TB treatment success rate in the TB program report and HMIS report differed by 15% and 20% respectively.
Conclusion: The quality of routine recording and reporting of TB and TB/HIV data was found to be considered inadequate. There is need for capacity building of all cadres of health care staff with respect to TB program recording and reporting followed by regular supervision to ensure quality data are available to guide TB/HIV control activities in the region.
