Week 8 - Introduction to Health Information Systems​​

Session 3 - Health Information Systems in Action

  1. Activity 5.3.1: Technology and Health Information
  2. Learning Outcome
  3. Session summary and reflection

Activity 5.3.1: Technology and Health Information

Step 1:

Discuss the role that technology has played in improving the collection of health informationabout pregnant women in South Africa? Your answer should also make reference to the levels of data collection in Health Information Systems:

Step 2
How has the collection of health information influenced how health is promoted amongst
pregnant women? In your answer identify which of the action areas from the Ottawa Charter for
Health Promotion have been applied in this video.
 

Step 1 

Technology has significantly enhanced the collection of health information about pregnant women in South Africa by streamlining data collection processes at various levels within Health Information Systems (HIS). At the individual level, electronic health records allow healthcare providers to track patient histories and monitor maternal health more accurately, ensuring continuity of care. At the facility level, digital systems aggregate data on maternal services and resource use, helping clinics manage supplies and staffing effectively. Public health surveillance systems use technology to track disease patterns and maternal health outcomes across regions, enabling timely interventions. At the population level, technology allows for large-scale data collection on maternal health trends, helping policymakers identify service gaps and allocate resources effectively. Together, these advancements contribute to more comprehensive and efficient maternal health monitoring and service delivery.

 

Step 2

The collection of health information has greatly influenced health promotion for pregnant women by providing targeted, data-driven interventions that address their specific needs. For instance, tracking maternal health data allows healthcare providers to identify common health risks among pregnant women and develop strategies to mitigate them, thus creating supportive environments that promote safe pregnancies. Additionally, data collection enables the development of tailored educational programs, enhancing pregnant women’s understanding of prenatal care and empowering them to make informed health decisions, aligning with developing personal skills. By using health data to inform public health policies, policymakers are also encouraged to build healthy public policies that allocate resources effectively to maternal health programs. These action areas from the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion collectively support healthier outcomes for pregnant women.

Learning Outcome - Health Information Systems in Action

  •  Reflect on the similarities and differences between South African Indigenous views of health and your own.
    •  Traditional healers and western medicine use the same methodology to cure patients. Western medicine is just more advanced than traditional medicine. 
  •  Discuss cultural assumptions of health as a possible obstacle to critical thinking. 
    •  Traditional healers don’t work based on fact every time and this can create confusion and distrust. This can cause the public to not pay attention to traditional healing even though it has the potential to bring crucial innovation.

Session summary and reflection

MomConmect

  1. Mom visits the clinic to confurn pregnancy
  2.  Nurse helps mom register on her mobile phone
  3. Mom answers a few Questions
  4. She recieves messeages twice in a week on her due date
  5. She can ask questions and provide feedback
Five key action areas for health promotion

  • Building Healthy Public Policy: Developing policies across sectors that support health, such as seatbelt laws and smoking restrictions.
  • Creating Supportive Environments: Improving natural and built environments to facilitate health-promoting choices, like workplace wellness programs.
  • Strengthening Community Action: Encouraging community efforts for health improvements, such as community kitchens and fitness initiatives.
  • Reorienting Health Services: Shifting health systems from solely curative to preventive and supportive care.
  • Developing Personal Skills: Enhancing personal health knowledge and life skills through education
Session 2
Session 4 and 5