Health Information Officers Research Articles

Public Information Officers' and Journalists' Perceived Barriers to Providing Quality Health Information

Given the increase in the volume of health and medical news over the past few years, the expanding population of journalists committed to feeding the public's voracious appetite for such information, and the important role of government public health organizations in producing and disseminating public health information, it is surprising that little research exists that explores the relationships among public health entities and health journalists. This article describes and analyzes similarities and differences in perceptions between journalists and information officers in public health agencies on a number of issues to reveal how public information officers and health journalists can work to build a local public health agenda free from the burden of unnecessary or inconsistent barriers. This study reports findings from a study with a 3-stage pretest and 90 interviews with state and local public health information officers and the health journalists who cover public health beats across the United States. Despite some agreement, results indicate wide disparities between these populations' identification of what the barriers to high-quality health care and information are, and a generalized absence of a “shared vision.”

Anticipating or Precipitating Crisis? Health Agencies May Not be Heeding Best Practice Advice in Avian Flu Press Releases

Precrisis information disseminated by public health information officers (PIOs) will play a critical role in preparing and safeguarding publics amidst a possible avian flu pandemic. This article analyzes avian flu press releases issued by leading health agencies, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization, to reveal their purposes and the nature of organizational response constructed therein. Results of this analysis indicate important considerations for practitioners may not manifest in the press releases they issued: The threat was not localized; outlets for publics to contact for more information were not always present, and there was inconsistency in how avian flu was referenced. There was a steady increase in the volume of releases since 2004, and PIOs generally seemed to recognize the importance of partnerships and timeliness in pandemic preparedness. Examining the possible pandemic flu situation may yield a more thorough understanding of audience psychology and behavior during health crises as well as enhance the salience of crisis communication models for public health emergencies when public safety is of utmost concern.

Evaluation of the effect of the introduction of a hypertension club on the management of hypertension at a community health centre in the Cape Town Metropole

Background: Hypertension is a widespread problem of immense economic importance in sub-Saharan Africa because of its high prevalence in urban areas, its frequent under-diagnosis, and the severity of its complications. A systematic review of interventions used to improve the management of hypertension in primary care showed that effective delivery of hypertensive care requires a systematic approach in the community. The rationale for establishing a hypertension club at the Mitchell’s Plain Community Health Centre (MPCHC), Cape Town, South Africa is based on the findings of and recommendations made by a study done previously at MPCHC by the Chronic Diseases of Lifestyle Programme of the Medical Research Council. This study found that the blood pressure of hypertensive patients was not optimally controlled and both the drug and non-drug management of hypertension needed to be improved. The patients had asked for the introduction of a dedicated hypertension club. Methods: A dedicated hypertension club was started at MPCHC and hypertensive patients were enrolled. A booking system with an appointment register was initiated. A hypertension record sheet was kept in the patient’s folder. Observations like blood pressure (BP), weight, and urinalysis were recorded by the club’s nurses. Health information officers were used to educate the patients about hypertension, its treatment and complications. The doctors’ role was to fully assess the patients’ risk profiles and to develop a management plan. To audit the club, a questionnaire was conducted on an initial group of 100 patients at the inception of the club and repeated on a group of 100 patients after six months. The aim was to assess the patients’ knowledge of issues affecting the management of hypertension and their satisfaction with the service received at MPCHC. A folder review was done on the second group of patients. The intention was to evaluate whether there had been a change in the patients’ BP over the preceding six months, whether the patients were compliant and whether observations were made regularly. Results: The average age of the study population was early sixties. More women than men were studied. The knowledge of the follow-up group regarding factors affecting hypertension control was slightly better than that of the initial group, but remained poor. The knowledge of the consequences of poor hypertension control did not improve after six months. Salt use stayed the same. The patients were satisfied with the service received, although shorter waiting times were desired. About 64% of the patients had collected their medication as per schedule. In the initial group, 48% of the patients had a BP > 140/90 mmHg. After six months, 33% of the patients had a BP > 140/90 mmHg. Conclusions: The study did not show much change in the patients’ knowledge in the first six months after the institution of the hypertension club. Compliance was poor, although BP control improved somewhat. The benefit was in setting up the system.

The Effects of the Introduction of a Hypertension Club on the Management of Hypertension at a Community Health Centre

Background: Hypertension is a widespread problem of immense economic importance in sub-Saharan Africa because of its high prevalence in urban areas, its frequent under-diagnosis, and the severity of its complications. A systematic review of interventions used to improve the management of hypertension in primary care showed that effective delivery of hypertensive care requires a systematic approach in the community. The rationale for establishing a hypertension club at the Mitchell’s Plain Community Health Centre (MPCHC), Cape Town, South Africa is based on the findings of and recommendations made by a study done previously at MPCHC by the Chronic Diseases of Lifestyle Programme of the Medical Research Council. This study found that the blood pressure of hypertensive patients was not optimally controlled and both the drug and non-drug management of hypertension needed to be improved. The patients had asked for the introduction of a dedicated hypertension club. Methods: A dedicated hypertension club was started at MPCHC and hypertensive patients were enrolled. A booking system with an appointment register was initiated. A hypertension record sheet was kept in the patient’s folder. Observations like blood pressure (BP), weight, and urinalysis were recorded by the club’s nurses. Health information officers were used to educate the patients about hypertension, its treatment and complications. The doctors’ role was to fully assess the patients’ risk profiles and to develop a management plan. To audit the club, a questionnaire was conducted on an initial group of 100 patients at the inception of the club and repeated on a group of 100 patients after six months. The aim was to assess the patients’ knowledge of issues affecting the management of hypertension and their satisfaction with the service received at MPCHC. A folder review was done on the second group of patients. The intention was to evaluate whether there had been a change in the patients’ BP over the preceding six months, whether the patients were compliant and whether observations were made regularly. Results: The average age of the study population was early sixties. More women than men were studied. The knowledge of the follow-up group regarding factors affecting hypertension control was slightly better than that of the initial group, but remained poor. The knowledge of the consequences of poor hypertension control did not improve after six months. Salt use stayed the same. The patients were satisfied with the service received, although shorter waiting times were desired. About 64% of the patients had collected their medication as per schedule. In the initial group, 48% of the patients had a BP > 140/90 mmHg. After six months, 33% of the patients had a BP > 140/90 mmHg. Conclusions: The study did not show much change in the patients’ knowledge in the first six months after the institution of the hypertension club. Compliance was poor, although BP control improved somewhat. The benefit was in setting up the system.

Training needs for mid-level managers and immunisation coverage in western Kenya

To determine the current status of immunisation coverage in Western Kenya before intervention, to identify strengths and weaknesses of the existing programme in order to design educational interventions that could improve the services provided and find out the training needs of the mid-level managers of Kenya Expanded Programme of Immunisation. Cross-sectional descriptive study. All thirty nine districts in Rift Valley, Western and Nyanza provinces. Mid-level managers of Kenya Expanded Programme on Immunisation in the 39 districts and the provinces. These included Provincial Logisticians, Provincial Medical Officers of Health, District Medical Officers of Health, District Public Health Nurses, District Records and Health Information Officers, District Disease Surveillance Officers, and District Public Health Officers. Number of staff trained on EPI, coverage rates and perceived training needs of the mid-level managers. A total of eighty eight mid-level managers participated in the interviews. Most of these were District Public Health Nurses (40.9%) and District Health Information and Records Officers (23.9%). Only 49 (25%) of the District Health Management Team members had undergone training at the supervisory level. Eighteen districts (43.6%) had no member of the District Health Management Team that had ever been trained at the supervisory level. Using rates of Pentavalent 1 and measles coverage, Nyanza Province had the highest immunisation dropout rate (Pentavalent 1--measles) whereas Rift Valley Province had the lowest. The annual cumulative coverage for all the provinces by antigen was 80% for Pentavalent 1 and 2 and 60% for measles. The most requested need for inclusion in the training curriculum was maintenance of the cold chain equipment. Most of the members in the study area have not been trained on Expanded Programme on Immunisation and may be ill-equipped to manage the complicated programmes needed to maximise delivery of services. The immunisation coverage in this area is low while the dropout rates are high. We therefore recommend that all the mid-level managers of Expanded Programme on Immunisation in this area be trained comprehensively through the Merck Vaccine Network--Africa programme using the World Health Organisation approved mid-level managers course.

The perception of senior hospital staff on the role of eye care providers in Zaria, Nigeria

Background: Patients or their relations usually seek the opinion of hospital staff after self-treatment, patent medical vendors' prescriptions or other first line treatment has failed. It is therefore, critical for them to have a fair idea of the role of different cadre of eye care providers to enable them offer appropriate help and referral. This study assessed the perception of senior hospital workers on the Role of Eye Care Providers in Zaria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study using a stratified sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was administered to each of 428 hospital staff in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Shika-Zaria in July, 2013. The results were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 statistical package. Results: The study population (428) comprised of 177 nurses, 108 doctors, 85 administrative staff, 37 laboratory scientists, 10 pharmacists, and 11 health information officers. The male:female ratio was 1.2:1 while the age range was 20-59 years with a mean age of 33 ± 5.7 years. Three hundred and thirty-seven (78.7%) of the respondents were familiar with the role of the ophthalmologist and 309 (72.2%) with that of the ophthalmic nurse. About half of the respondents were familiar with the role of the other cadre of eye care providers: 222 (51.9%) understood the role of a Community Health Officer, 215 (50.2%) understood that of the optometrist and 214 (50.0%) understood the role of the optician. Conclusion: Senior hospital workers were quite familiar with the role of an ophthalmologist and an ophthalmic nurse, but they need to be educated more about the role of the other cadre of eye care providers.