Health Information Services Research Articles

Health Information Services and Public Healthcare Awareness: A Behavioral Study of Rural Inhabitants of the Balasore District of Odisha

Health Information Services and Public Healthcare Awareness: A Behavioral Study of Rural Inhabitants of the Balasore District of Odisha

Health Information System in Odisha: An Evaluative Study of the Public Health Information Service Infrastructures for Rural Inhabitants of Balasore District

Health Information System in Odisha: An Evaluative Study of the Public Health Information Service Infrastructures for Rural Inhabitants of Balasore District

Librarians’ support in improving health literacy: A systematic literature review

The last couple of decades health literacy has gained significant momentum among the issues listed as priority within the public health sphere. In addition, the advances of Information and Communications Technology, the adoption of digital technology to perform basic tasks in our daily lives and thus the re-orientation of health care has led to the introduction of e-health literacy and digital health literacy. Hence, different groups of users needs to develop and acquire the additional digital skills and competences to search, retrieve, access and use health information. This study aims to review the literature concerning librarians’ involvement in health literacy that published between 2010 and 2020 using the principles of systematic literature review. Specifically, search terms such as “health literacy,” “information professional/s,” “librarian/s,” and “library” were run on ACM Digital Library, Scopus, Library, Information Science and Technology Abstracts (LISTA), Library and Information Science Abstracts (LISA), Citeseer, Google Scholar, e-prints in Library and Information Science (e-LiS), Digital Library of Information Science and Technology (DLIST), PubMed and Science Direct. The searches were performed during October–November 2020 and were repeated in January–February 2021; and after considering a series of inclusion and exclusion criteria 57 peer-reviewed papers were considered. Six broad areas of interest emerged through a thorough analysis of the identified, relevant literature namely “role of librarians in relation to health literacy development,” “user studies related to health literacy,” “health literacy programs,” “health literacy and LIS education,” “ health literacy initiatives” and “tools used by librarians in health literacy projects.” Main findings showcase that libraries as secure and trusted places can play a key role in developing and promoting health literacy to different groups; new job titles emerge for librarians (consumer health librarian, health information services librarians, health literacy librarian); whereas collaboration is a key element for developing and offering health literacy training programs to diverse group of users as well as the public.

An Analysis of Utilization of Maternal Health Services with Respect to Information Received and Impact of Demographics in Punjab, India

The value information leads to effective utilisation of services. The study identifies the gap in information about maternal health services and their utilisation. The information which has led to utilisation of services can be assiduously labelled as value information or value awareness. The relationship has been explored between awareness about maternal health services and service utilisation among Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) beneficiaries in Punjab, a high-performing state in India as per NRHM. Further, an assessment of impact of demographics on beneficiaries with information and those who utilised the services has been explored. Information received and utilisation of ante-natal checkups (ANC), delivery care and post-natal checkups (PNC) services have been studied for two districts in the state of Punjab, India. Chi-square test has been applied to know the association between the maternal health services and the select districts with respect to information and services utilised. Impact of demographic variables such as age, education, income and caste have been evaluated for information and utilisation of maternal health services. The dispersed information that has not triggered in utilisation of services by JSY beneficiaries have been used as an ingredient to explore and understand the deterring factors in non-utilisation of maternal care services in the rural areas of developing country like India. Results highlight that a significant association exists between the utilisation of maternal health services among the select districts in the state of Punjab ( χ2 = 8.73, p-value = 0.0127); however, there is no association between the informed beneficiaries and the districts for the maternal health services. No impact of demographic variables has been found on the beneficiaries with information about maternal health services and those who utilised the services. The gap in awareness and utilisation of services throws light on the lurking concerns of unrecognised benefits, uncaring attitude towards health, prejudices about institutional delivery and PNC being considered an unimportant service among the beneficiaries.

Sexual and Reproductive Health Problems and Needs of Street Youths in East Gojjam Zone Administrative Towns, Ethiopia: Exploratory Qualitative Study.

BackgroundAbout 600,000 children are estimated to depend on street life in Ethiopia. Estimates conclude that about 65% of street children hardly have any access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. However, sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS among street children have been reported as being very high and some studies showed that it can be higher than that of female sex workers, truck drivers and prisoners.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to explore the sexual and reproductive health problems of street youths and their need in East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia, 2019.MethodsAn explanatory qualitative study design was conducted on street youths residing in East Gojjam Zone town administrations from February to March, 2019. Purposively selected street youths and positioned individuals who were residing in East Gojjam Zone town administrates were included in the study. The data were collected through focus group discussion and in-depth interview and analyzed thematically.ResultA total of 85 street youths and 8 individuals who were working with street children participated in this study. Most street youths had no clear information towards sexual and reproductive health. The existing reproductive health problems were sexual violence, sexually transmitted infection, unplanned pregnancy, abortion and substance abuse. Most street youths were interested in getting sexual and reproductive health information and other services by concerned bodies similar to the general population. Accessibility of job opportunities was also one of their needs to prevent the existing sexual and reproductive health problems.Conclusion and RecommendationMost street youths were sexually active and attempted unsafe sexual practice which exposed them to sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancies and abortions. So a special reproductive health service is needed to avert these problems.

Knowledge of sexually transmitted infections among senior high school adolescents in the Wa Municipality of Ghana

BackgroundSexually transmitted infections (STIs) are responsible for a high burden of morbidity and mortality in many developing countries especially among adolescents. Adolescents are predisposed to STIs because they are more likely to engage in unhealthy lifestyles. However, these adolescents have limited knowledge of the use and barriers to sexual and reproductive health information and care services. This study explored the knowledge of STIs among Senior High School Adolescents in the Wa Municipality of Ghana. MethodThe study designed as a descriptive cross-sectional research. A multistage sampling technique was used to recruit these adolescents for the study. Totally 355 adolescents were selected from senior high schools in the Wa Municipality. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used to analyze the data, at a significance level of P < 0.05. ResultsThe majority of respondents had good knowledge of STIs, with the most common examples of STIs identified as HIV/AIDS (80.8%, 287/355) and gonorrhea (73.8%, 262/355). The main known signs and symptoms identified were discharges from the penis/vagina (72.4%, 257/355), painful urination (71.5%, 254/355), and itching, and sores around the genital area (72.7%, 258/355). The main sources of information/education of STIs for these adolescents were the school, hospital, internet and mother. Whom respondent lived with was found to be significantly associated with knowledge of STI (P < 0.001). ConclusionMany of the respondents had good knowledge of STI, and the school was the most common source of information on STI. It is, therefore, important for the Ghana Education Service and the Ghana Health Service to strengthen the School Health Education Programme in second cycle institutions in the Wa Municipality. Parents, especially mothers, should be actively involved in the sexual health education of adolescents.

Timeliness of reporting process in the national routine health information system: The case of 19-year experience of Field Health Services Information System in Palawan, the Philippines

IntroductionRoutine health information system (RHIS) has been repeatedly updated to provide quality information. However, its timeliness has rarely been tracked. This study investigated the reporting status and the timeliness of quarterly reports of the national RHIS in the Philippines, based on its 19 years-operation in Palawan.MethodsWe analyzed the timeliness of 94.7% (1568/1656) of the quarterly reports that we obtained the date of receipt submitted by 22 health centers in Palawan from 1996 to 2014. The RHIS update in 2008 increased the number of reporting items and extended the submission due date since 2009 while computerized 15 health centers since 2011. We performed Fisher’s exact test to examine changing the proportion of timely reports and multiple comparisons with permutation tests for changing the mean of the quarterly median lead times, median delays and interquartile ranges (IQR), for four periods of different operational requirements in the RHIS.ResultsThe update increased the timely reports from 6.7% (70/1045) to 22.4% (117/523) (p<0.001). The delay remained stable from 14.2 days to 16.1 days (p = 0.654). However, the IQR widened 2.31 times (p = 0.004) compared to 15.7. Despite the increased burden, the continued manual data processing decreased the delay by 7.1 days (p = 0.023) and remained the IQR stable at 1.19 times (p = 0.670), while 15 health centers were computerized, it increased the delay by 6.4 days (p = 0.037) and widened the IQR by 2.87 times (p = 0).ConclusionsMore attention must be paid to controlling the timeliness of RHIS when we introduce new interventions and perform daily management. Extending the due date increased timely reports. However, introducing unfamiliar tasks increased delay and uncertainty in timeliness. In a low-resource setting, an effective intervention needs to consider modest operating procedure changes that extend the existing routines to which the staff in charge has already accustomed.

A qualitative study of the health information seeking behaviour of adolescent girls in Iran indicates that public libraries could help supply information required about puberty.

The present study aimed to identify the puberty related information seeking behaviour of adolescent female members of Zarrinshahr public libraries. Using a phenomenology approach, this study sought to identify the puberty related information seeking behaviours for a population of female adolescent public library patrons located in the Middle East. The data were collected via event based interviews and the samples were selected by purposeful sampling method. After converting the audio to text, the transcripts were imported into MAXQDA 10, they were coded and then, the relevant categories were extracted. The information needs of girls experiencing puberty were identified and divided into four thematic categories: health issues, psychological issues, religious issues (religious precepts), and issues related to physical activity. Girls get this information from a variety of resources such as people, the Internet, social networks, documents, and libraries. The process of information seeking is so problematic for them because they are faced with content, family, social, and financial barriers and mainly lack Internet literacy and search skills. Health information seeking constitutes the main part of adolescent girls' daily lives. Identification of adolescent girls' health information needs, the main channels of information seeking, and the barriers the girls face while information seeking can help public libraries adopt the right policies regarding the provision of health information services.

An analysis of publicly available National Health Service information leaflets for patients following an upper arm break

BackgroundRecovery following an upper arm break can be prolonged and cause loss of independence. Appropriate information provision to empower and enable active participation in rehabilitation is vital to achieve the best clinical outcomes. ObjectivesTo identify and analyse, through the lens of health literacy, publicly available information leaflets produced for patients following upper arm breaks in the United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS) to understand their fitness for purpose. MethodAn electronic search of online search engines was undertaken using search terms to identify information leaflets for upper arm breaks. Relevant leaflets were retrieved and a thematic analysis was undertaken from a health literacy perspective. To complement this, each information leaflet was also formally assessed for readability. ResultsThirty-five information leaflets were analysed. Two main themes were generated: ‘Empowerment’ and ‘Language Use’, with subthemes of promoting recovery, readability and risk of misinterpretation. The information presented in these leaflets was often complicated and sometimes contradictory. Less than half (46%) of the information leaflets were presented at a level that would be understood by the general population. ConclusionsCurrent information leaflets made available for patients following upper arm breaks are not fit for purpose and are written in a way that the general population would not readily understand. There is an urgent need to understand the information needs of patients and present such information in an accessible way to optimise clinical outcomes following upper arm breaks.

Intelligent Recommendation Model of Contemporary Pop Music Based on Knowledge Map.

With the advent of the era of big data, the rise of Web2.0 completely subverts the traditional Internet model and becomes the trend of today's information age. Simultaneously, massive amounts of data and information have infiltrated various Internet companies, resulting in an increase in the problem of information overload. In the online world, learning how to quickly and accurately select the parts we are interested in from a variety of data has become a hot topic. Intelligent music recommendation has become a current research hotspot in music services as a viable solution to the problem of information overload in the digital music field. On the basis of precedents, this paper examines the characteristics of music in a comprehensive and detailed manner. A knowledge graph-based intelligent recommendation algorithm for contemporary popular music is proposed. User-defined tags are described as the free genes of music in this paper, making it easier to analyze user behavior and tap into user interests. It has been confirmed that this algorithm's recommendation quality is relatively high, and it offers a new development path for improving the speed of searching for health information services.

The Effectiveness of Implementation Telenursing in Health Education Intervention in Children With DM: Literature Review

Global technological advances occur in the development of health service information and communication systems, one of which is a nursing service information system. Telenursing is one of the information and communication system technologies for remote nursing services that is carried out virtually in providing nursing care practices. Based on data from the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) that the incidence of DM has increased in children aged 0-18 years over a period of 10 years. However, in some countries that diabetic patients do not receive health education in conducting self-monitoring and control of complications. Generate descriptions and ideas from the selection of several literature reviews on the application of a communication system for nursing services, namely telenursing to facilitate the provision of health education interventions for DM children. Analyze and select nursing journals related to telenursing and Health Education in DM children. On the results of the analysis and review of several selected journals, a conclusion is obtained that telenursing communication technology can improve and facilitate nursing care services, namely Health Education in DM children. Nurses can use technology to improve nursing care services in conducting health education interventions that are easily accessible quickly and affordable by the community.

Critical incident technique helps determine how health library and information services influence clinical decision making and patient care: A literature review.

The Critical incident technique (CIT) has been used for decades in the assessment of the impact of library and information services on patient care and clinical decision making. The purpose of this article is to identify and review the studies that have used CIT approach to assess the impact of library and information services on patient care and clinical decision making. Related articles were searched in the information resources of Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Google Scholar and LISTA. From among 1346 articles obtained, 22met the inclusion criteria. The analysis of the articles indicated that CIT has been used for various purposes such as assessing the information value, assessing the information resources and librarians in their clinical practice and decision making, examining information-seeking behaviour and analysing cost- benefits. Critical incident technique is a flexible approach for libraries and information services, based on individuals' experiences of finding and using information to help resolve a perceived problem. The studies identified in this review offer a variety of methods for using CIT that other libraries might consider for their own impact studies.

Acceptance of information communication technology-based health information services: Exploring the culture in primary-level health care of South Ethiopia, using Utaut Model, Ethnographic Study.

IntroductionIn sub-Saharan African countries including Ethiopia, the acceptance of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in health is at the proof-of-concept level with a few unsustainable piecemeal of pilot projects. Thus, a desirable willingness of acceptance among healthcare providers is a paramount.Material and MethodsEight months elapsed ethnographic study design was conducted using participant observation and key informant interviews. The data were entered on Qualitative Data Analysis mine software version 1.4. The quotes and field notes were thematized. The Unified Technology Acceptance and Use Theory (UTAUT) is validated and used to generate new meanings.ResultsThis study highlighted the different instances of technology acceptance. Although the primary-level healthcare (PLHC) providers displayed tendencies to accept ICTs-based health information services consistent with the UTAUT dimensions such as the degree of simplicity associated with performance expectancy, use/effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, social issue, individual variation, and organization culture there are instances that disputed acceptance. For instance, the gains in data quality and reporting secondary to the use of District Health Information System Two (DHIS-II) are not influenced by acceptance. Rather PLHC providers are burnt-out of additional clerical duties of filling data on the DHIS-2. Furthermore, ICT acceptance is influenced by individual variations and the unique culture of primary level facilities such as leadership commitment.ConclusionsOn this basis, we conclude that the willingness to accept ICT-based health information services at the primary level is not limited to those factors discussed in the UTAUT model.

How online health discussions make people perceive benefits?

The online health discussion (OHD) has increasingly become an important component in the practice of health informatics service, and many health users have gained benefits through OHD. Few studies have tried to answer how people obtain benefits from OHD. As a new type of online health information, OHD is composed of multiple messages with a discourse structure. By referring to Peirce’ semiotics, a theoretical model of the relationship of OHD with multiply meanings (i.e., discourse structure and health knowledge) and health users' perceived benefits (PB) was developed. 1248 OHD units were collected, and the main findings were obtained. (1) The number of discussion chains has a crucial effect on PB. (2) Health knowledge related to OHD produces indirect effects on PB. This work enriches extant literature by empirically revealing multilevel meanings of OHD and their roles. Related findings can be used to explore improvements for designing of OHD.

Challenge for the National Health Service Information System in England- Dismantling the NHS National Programme for IT.

Challenge for the National Health Service Information System in England- Dismantling the NHS National Programme for IT.

EFFECTS OF SOCIAL STIGMA ON TUBERCULOSIS CARE: CASE STUDIES IN MAHA SARAKHAM PROVINCE, THAILAND

Tuberculosis (TB) is a public health issue that relies on the participation of health networks and the care of tuberculosis patients systematically and effectively. This study aimed to investigate the effects of social stigma on continuous tuberculosis patient care. This qualitative research study employed a case study approach to investigate the effects of social stigma on the continuous tuberculosis patient care in Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand. The current study also explored tuberculosis patients’ health service information. An interview form was used as a research instrument to collect data. Interviews were conducted to collect the data from 42 tuberculosis patients and eight members of the tuberculosis caregiver community network. The research results revealed that the tuberculosis patients who received ongoing consultations and treatments from public health officers could develop positive incentives and expectations of the tuberculosis treatments. Family members had improved their supportive skills and could lower the stigma of their household patients. Consequently, people in the community built a network of mental health care and social support to reduce the stigmatization of tuberculosis patients. Counseling skills and knowledge of patient care are essential in caring for mental health patients. When people who are close to the patients develop essential skills for patient care, the stigmatization of tuberculosis patients can be reduced.

Guidelines for Australian Health Library and Information Services 5th edition to be launched in 2022: National Manager report December 2021

Much has changed in the 13 years since 2008, when the fourth edition of the Guidelines for Australian Health Libraries (the Guidelines) was published. In the intervening years, digital technologies have transformed the way health, research, education, and information services are delivered; and contemporaneously, the Covid-19 pandemic is continuing to affect nearly every aspect of our home, work, professional, and community lives.

Online Health Information-Seeking Behavior Among Korean American Immigrants in Rural Alabama: Dose Discrimination Matter?

Little attention has been paid to online health information seeking (OHIS) among immigrants residing in rural areas. This study examines the intensity of OHIS among Korean American (KA) immigrants living in rural Alabama. A total number of 261 KA immigrants aged 23 to 75 participated in the study. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. Age (B = - 0.044, p < 0.05), marital status (B = 1.132, p < 0.05), race/ethnic discrimination (B = 0.821, p < 0.05), having computer or tablet (B = 1.286, p < 0.05), and access to internet (B = 1.778, p < 0.01) were associated with the intensity of OHIS. Substantial efforts should be devoted to narrowing the access gap by providing offline health information services for those without internet access and with limited health literacy. Moreover, culturally competent healthcare services and information should be provided to serve racial/ethnic minority populations better.

Using focus groups to evaluate a multiyear consumer health outreach collaboration.

Objectives:Academic health sciences librarians sought to evaluate the efficacy and future of the Health Information Specialists Program, a five-year consumer health information outreach collaboration with public libraries across the state.Methods:Five focus groups were held with participants from all five years of the program. Thirty-four participants from the program attended. Facilitators used structured interview guides consisting of eleven questions regarding the impact of the collaboration on participants' abilities to connect themselves or others to health information; the usefulness of materials or knowledge gained and its applications; any consumer health outreach projects that arose from the program; and suggestions for future topics, formats, or modifications. Data was hand-coded and analyzed using the framework analysis methodology for qualitative research.Results:Participants reported feeling improved confidence and comfort in providing health information services to their patrons. Numerous instances of knowledge transfer—in their personal lives, with their colleagues, and for their patrons—were described. Participants reported improved abilities to both find and evaluate consumer health information, and many adapted class materials for their own programming or teaching. Suggestions were provided for future class topics as well as a program website.Conclusion:Based on data from the five focus groups, the Health Information Specialists Program has positively impacted participants in a number of ways. Primary among these were self-reported improvement in both health information retrieval skills and the ability to evaluate the reliability of health information online, as well as in the confidence to help patrons with their health information needs.

Variations in utilization of health facilities for information and services on sexual and reproductive health among adolescents in South-East, Nigeria.

Adolescents' sexual and reproductive health has an important influence on a country's long-term national growth. There is a high level of burden due to poor adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) in Nigeria, especially the Ebonyi State. Evidence shows that in the Sub-Saharan African region, most adolescents experience poor access to information and other services relating to their sexual and reproductive health. Many cultures in Africa see matters around sex and sexuality as social taboos. This study aimed to access variations in the utilization of health facilities for sexual and reproductive health information and services among adolescents in the Ebonyi State, Nigeria. This will inform the design of interventions to improve ASRH. A total of 1,057 in-school and out-of-school adolescents aged 13-18 years were selected using cluster sampling of households from the six selected local government areas (LGAs) in this cross-sectional survey. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics were performed alongside stratification analysis. Tabulation, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were undertaken. A household wealth index was calculated using the total household consumption calculated divided by the number of people in the household (per capita household consumption). The per capita household consumption was used to categorize the households into socioeconomic quintiles. The variable was used to differentiate key variables into socioeconomic quintile equity analysis. A majority of the respondents had never visited any type of health facility to receive either sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information (90.2%) or services (97.1%). The utilization rate of health facilities for SRH information was 9.8% while for other SRH services was 2.8%. The patent medicine vendor (PMV) was the most visited type of facility for SRH information and other services. Schooling was a strong predictor of health facilities' utilization for SRH information (P < 0.01) and other services (P < 0.01). Utilization of health facilities for information and services among adolescents in the Ebonyi State is very low and favorable toward informal service providers such as PMVs. The establishment and strengthening of the existing youth-friendly centers, school clinics, and occasional outreach programs designed specifically to target adolescents would perhaps improve adolescents' access to adequate information and health facility utilization for sexual, reproductive, and health services.