Health and vital statistics use in epidemics management by health personnel

Abstract

Effective epidemic management depends on the timely generation and application of health and vital statistics for surveillance, early detection, and evidence-based response. This study assessed knowledge, classification ability, perceived use, and barriers to the utilisation of health and vital statistics among health personnel at a tertiary healthcare institution in Ondo State, Nigeria. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed, with 215 respondents selected through stratified random sampling. Descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, correlation, and regression analyses were conducted at a 5% significance level. Knowledge of routine health statistics was high, with 92% of respondents rated as excellent; however, understanding of vital statistics was inconsistent, with only 34% achieving excellent scores and substantial misclassification of population-based indicators such as maternal mortality and registered births. Utilisation varied significantly across professional groups (p < 0.05), with doctors reporting the highest use (4.28 ± 1.14). Positive correlations were observed between knowledge and use (r = 0.442 for health statistics; r = 0.360 for vital statistics). Knowledge of health statistics strongly predicted perceived use (β = 0.386, p < 0.001), while vital statistics knowledge showed a weaker effect (β = 0.284, p < 0.001). Major barriers included inadequate training (mean rank = 3.81), incomplete records (3.74), and limited technological tools (3.67). The findings indicate that although conceptual knowledge is high, systemic and capacity constraints limit consistent data application in epidemic management. Strengthening practical data literacy, digital infrastructure, and institutional data governance is essential to enhance epidemic preparedness and response.