Assessment of Data Recording Practices Among Informal Healthcare Services Providers in Urban Slums
1
Health Policy Research Group, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nsukka, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1833
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Informal healthcare providers (IHPs) deliver up to 80% of care in urban slums because of inadequate coverage by formal health system. Hence, IHPs form a critical component of the overall health system. However, not much is known about their data recording and reporting practices and how that is linked into the general health management information system. This study assesses data reporting practices among IHPs in urban slums in Enugu, Nigeria.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional survey of 138 IHPs (59.4% patent medicine vendors [PMVs], 15.2% traditional birth attendants [TBAs], 13.0% herbal homes, 11.6% traditional bone setters) was undertaken across eight purposively selected slums in Enugu state, southeast Nigeria. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The key variables in data analysis were: how many IHPs maintained daily registers? how many IHPs sent their data to the formal health system? Univariate and bivariate analysis using cross-tabulations, Spearman's correlations and post-hoc Tukey HSD/Games-Howell tests were undertaken.
RESULTS:
Only 18.1% of respondents maintained daily registers, with 68.0% updating frequently but 52.0% incomplete in content. Facility type significantly predicted scores (F=5.998, p=0.001, η²=0.120); TBAs scored highest (mean=0.36) versus PMVs (0.14) and others (0.00; p<0.001, post-hoc). Correlations showed staff size (ρ=0.50–0.51, p<0.05) and education (ρ=0.19–0.25, p<0.05) as positive enablers; age-experience linked positively (ρ=0.70, p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
Poor data recording and reporting among IHPs persist due to workload and education level. The comparatively better data reporting practices among TBAs is a positive signal on the possibility of improving the data reporting practices of IHPs and integrating them into the Health Management Information System (HMIS). The study recommends literacy workshops on data reporting for IHPs. Developing simplified data reporting tools tailored to the education of IHPs and facilitating linkage of IHPs with HMIS are also recommended.
Informal healthcare providers (IHPs) deliver up to 80% of care in urban slums because of inadequate coverage by formal health system. Hence, IHPs form a critical component of the overall health system. However, not much is known about their data recording and reporting practices and how that is linked into the general health management information system. This study assesses data reporting practices among IHPs in urban slums in Enugu, Nigeria.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional survey of 138 IHPs (59.4% patent medicine vendors [PMVs], 15.2% traditional birth attendants [TBAs], 13.0% herbal homes, 11.6% traditional bone setters) was undertaken across eight purposively selected slums in Enugu state, southeast Nigeria. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The key variables in data analysis were: how many IHPs maintained daily registers? how many IHPs sent their data to the formal health system? Univariate and bivariate analysis using cross-tabulations, Spearman's correlations and post-hoc Tukey HSD/Games-Howell tests were undertaken.
RESULTS:
Only 18.1% of respondents maintained daily registers, with 68.0% updating frequently but 52.0% incomplete in content. Facility type significantly predicted scores (F=5.998, p=0.001, η²=0.120); TBAs scored highest (mean=0.36) versus PMVs (0.14) and others (0.00; p<0.001, post-hoc). Correlations showed staff size (ρ=0.50–0.51, p<0.05) and education (ρ=0.19–0.25, p<0.05) as positive enablers; age-experience linked positively (ρ=0.70, p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
Poor data recording and reporting among IHPs persist due to workload and education level. The comparatively better data reporting practices among TBAs is a positive signal on the possibility of improving the data reporting practices of IHPs and integrating them into the Health Management Information System (HMIS). The study recommends literacy workshops on data reporting for IHPs. Developing simplified data reporting tools tailored to the education of IHPs and facilitating linkage of IHPs with HMIS are also recommended.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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