Enhancing Data-Driven Decision-Making in HIV Care With Viral Load and Early Infant Diagnosis Data Dashboards in Côte d’Ivoire: Qualitative Study

Background: Data dashboards are popular tools for supporting routine monitoring and decision-making in public health. Two dashboards were developed in Côte d'Ivoire to visualize laboratory data on HIV viral load (VL) and early infant diagnosis (EID) testing. Objective: This study assessed the attitudes and experiences regarding data-driven decision-making and the VL and EID dashboards among existing and potential dashboard users in Côte d'Ivoire. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study including 2 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 12 in-depth interviews (IDIs). The conceptual framework for the use of health data in decision-making guided the FGDs, and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research informed the IDIs. We used deductive and inductive approaches to analyze the interview data. Results: The 26 participants were from 17 organizations; 11 (42.3%) were female. The participants reported a supportive data culture that valued data-driven decision-making and external pressure from the United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) that motivated data use. The dashboards were considered useful for monitoring performances and making decisions for service delivery and laboratory operations. Existing users used the dashboards regularly. Potential users expressed interest in the speed and ability to track progress. The participants considered the dashboards simple and straightforward compared to other analytical tools but suggested updating the dashboards more frequently and visualizing more data. Conclusions: The study highlighted the importance of supportive data culture and the potential of dashboards to promote data use. However, challenges such as limited access to the internet and equipment for potential users need to be addressed.