The utilisation of routine statistical data submitted to the Department of Health by local authority primary health care clinics in Kwazulu Natal

Abstract

The collection and utilisation of statistical data is an integral component of rendering primary health care services. This study aimed to assess the utilisation of statistics on certain statistical forms submitted regularly to the Department of Health, by professional nurses at local authority primary health care clinics.

Results revealed the following important shortcomings:

• Statistics on different forms are viewed in isolation, resulting in a lack of necessary comparisons being made to determine trends. • Several targeted issues in the Reconstruction and Development Programme received insufficient attention, for example, immunisations, teenage pregnancies, tuberculosis treatment, sexually transmitted diseases. • A general managerial inability to analyse, display and utilise collected data by professional nurses.

Recommendations centred around increasing the knowledge regarding maternal health care, more focus on prioritised areas of the Reconstruction and Development Programme, appropriate training regarding analysis and utilisation of collected statistics at local primary health care level.