Table 2. Generating categories and data themes from initial codes extracted from information and communication technology (ICT) experts’ responses.

Theoretical themes	Initial codesa	Categories or subcategoriesb	Data themesc
Information management challenges	Lack of technical skills and high maintenance costs	Lack of expertise; high costs	Service provider
Information management challenges	Donor effect and parallel systems	Parallel systems (silos)	HISd integration
Information management challenges	Poor with policy implementation	Management and leadership	Health system
Information management challenges	Expensive ICT infrastructure	Unaffordable infrastructure	HIS contextualization
Information management challenges	Low HIS developer capacity	Technical expertise	Service provider
Information management challenges	No long-term strategy on the sustainability of HIS projects	Management and leadership	Health system
Information management challenges	A lot of bureaucracy	Management and leadership	Health system

^aInitial codes: key points extracted from participant responses.

^bCategories or subcategories: groups of related codes reflecting common concepts.

^cData themes: overarching themes derived from categories, representing major patterns in the findings.

^dHIS: health information system.