An evaluation of the Sinan health information system as used by the Hansen's disease control programme, Pernambuco State, Brazil.

Background: Since the introduction of the national notifiable diseases information system (SINAN) in Pernambuco State, Brazil, in 1994, many problems have been encountered. The aim of this study was to evaluate the SINAN software, quality of data input, the transfer of the computerised data from the municipality to state levels, human resources and other factors associated with the health information system infrastructure (HIS).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Pernambuco state, North-eastern Brazil, in 2005.