title: Data reporting constraints for the lymphatic filariasis mass drug administration activities in two districts in Ghana: A qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Timely and accurate health data are important for objective decision making and policy formulation. However, little evidence exists to explain why poor quality routine health data persist. This study examined the constraints to data reporting for the lymphatic filariasis mass drug administration programme in two districts in Ghana. This qualitative study focused on timeliness and accuracy of mass drug administration reports submitted by community health volunteers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study is nested within a larger study focusing on the feasibility of mobile phone technology for the lymphatic filariasis programme. Using an exploratory study design, data were obtained through in-depth interviews (n = 7) with programme supervisors and focus group discussions (n = 4) with community health volunteers. Results were analysed using thematic content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reasons for delays in reporting were attributed to poor numeracy skills among community health volunteers, difficult physical access to communities, high supervisor workload, poor adherence reporting deadlines, difficulty in reaching communities within allocated time and untimely release of programme funds. Poor accuracy of data was mainly attributed to inadequate motivation for community health volunteers and difficulty calculating summaries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has shown that there are relevant issues that need to be addressed in order to improve the quality of lymphatic filariasis treatment coverage reports. Some of the factors identified are problems within the health system; others are specific to the community health volunteers and the lymphatic filariasis programme. Steps such as training on data reporting should be intensified for community health volunteers, allowances for community health volunteers should be re-evaluated and other non-monetary incentives should be provided for community health volunteers.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: Frances Baaba
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: da-Costa Vroom
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: Richmond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aryeetey
authors.affiliation: University of Ghana Business School, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Boateng
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Anto
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: Moses
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aikins
authors.affiliation: Dodowa Health Research Centre, Ghana Health Service, Dangme West District, Ghana.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gyapong
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gyapong
keywords: Data quality; barriers; constraints; lymphatic filariasis; mass drug administration; reporting