Optimizing data quality of pharmaceutical information systems in public health care in resource limited settings

Abstract Background Robust pharmaceutical management information systems (PMIS) strengthen healthcare planning and delivery. Few nationwide studies in resource limited settings in Africa validate the data quality of PMIS in public healthcare. Objective To determine predictors and quality of data in a nationwide PMIS database in Namibia. Methods A population-level analysis of the quality of data i.e. completeness, accuracy and consistency in a nationwide PMIS database, 2007–2015. Data quality of the PMIS was determined by three domains, completeness, accuracy and consistency. Data completeness was determined by level of missing data in SPSSv25, with acceptable level set at Results A total of 544 entries and 12 indicators were registered in the PMIS at 38 public health facilities. All the PMIS indicators had missing data and 50% (n = 6) had inaccurate data i.e. extreme values. The data for most PMIS indicators (75%, n = 12) were consistent with the pattern of missing completely at random (MCAR, i.e. missingness Conclusions The data quality of PMIS in public health care in Namibia is sub-optimal and widely varies by reporting period, level of health facility and region. The integration of data quality assurance systems is required to strengthen quality of PMIS data to optimize quality of PMIS data in public health care.