UNDERSTANDING DATA MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES WITHIN DISTRICT LEVEL HIV, TB AND STI PROGRAMMES IN SOUTH AFRICA

Understanding the sources, validity and accuracy of data is extremely important in the development of the
HIV, TB and STI (HAST) business plans. It is important that both the finance and programme managers monitor the implementation of all indicators including budget and output measures. Effective data management can help in tracking progress against indicators in each level of a performance-based management cycle. This includes data collection to ensure accurate data records exist, data quality maintenance, accurate data cleaning and analysis, decision making, and reporting or dissemination. District and provincial HAST managers use various information sources to compile their business plans. These include health information management and financial monitoring systems. The multiplicity of data sources may provide a desired triangulation advantage, but challenges around sourcing, quality, and accuracy of health data exist and need to be addressed. The aim of this project was to identify and discuss these challenges in order to make recommendations to support improvements in data management.