Effect of Training and Capacity Building on the use of Routine Health Data in Public Health Programs: Evidence from a Quasi-Experimental Study in Kenya

Abstract

The effective use of Routine Health Data (RHD) remains a critical yet underutilized component of health system governance in many low- and middle-income settings. This quasi-experimental study examined the impact of a structured training intervention on the capacity of County Health Management Teams (CHMTs) in Kenya to apply in public health decision-making. Twelve counties were selected across six regional blocs, with six receiving the intervention and six serving as controls. Data collected at baseline and endline using structured questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and a Difference-in-Differences (DiD) model. Results showed significant improvements in analytical, interpretive, and application competencies among trained CHMT members, with a 0.45-unit increase in perceived data-use capacity relative to controls. The findings underscore that systematic capacity-building enhances data-driven decision-making and should be institutionalized within county health leadership frameworks.