An assessment of routine primary care health information system data quality in Sofala Province, Mozambique

We used a methodology similar to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria data verification bottom-up audit to assess primary health care HIS data availability and reliability. The quality of HIS data was validated by comparing three key indicators (antenatal care, institutional birth, and third diptheria, pertussis, and tetanus [DPT] immunization) with population-level surveys over time.The data concordance from facility clinical registries to monthly facility reports on five key indicators--the number of first antenatal care visits, institutional births, third DPT immunization, HIV testing, and outpatient consults--was good (80%). When two sites were excluded from the analysis, the concordance was markedly better (92%). Of monthly facility reports for immunization and maternity services, 98% were available in paper form at district health departments and 98% of immunization and maternity services monthly facility reports matched the Ministry of Health electronic database. Population-level health survey and HIS data were strongly correlated (R = 0.73), for institutional birth, first antenatal care visit, and third DPT immunization.Our results suggest that in this setting, HIS data are both reliable and consistent, supporting their use in primary health care program monitoring and evaluation. Simple, rapid tools can be used to evaluate routine data and facilitate the rapid identification of problem areas.The 2008 World Health Report issued a call for a renewed focus on primary health care (PHC). As set forth in the 1978 Alma Ata Declaration, the ultimate goal of PHC is better health for all through a reduction in exclusion and social disparities in health, the organization of health services around people's health needs and expectations, the integration of health into all sectors through effective policy planning, and the pursuit of collaborative models of policy dialogue through increasing stakeholder participation.[1] A key systems building block of