Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Department of Family Medicine, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Department of Family Medicine, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Int J Med Inform. 2024 Jun;186:105439. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2024.105439. Epub 2024 Mar 30.
Rapid, integrated information exchange between stakeholders is critical for effective emergency preparedness and response. However, many low- and middle-income countries face barriers to seamless data sharing. While information accessibility is recognized as important for evidence-based decision-making and resource allocation in Ethiopia, factors influencing current health information sharing practices among stakeholders involved in public health emergency management programs are unclear. This study aims to examine multi-sectoral stakeholders' perspectives and experiences with health data sharing during emergencies in Ethiopia, to identify opportunities and challenges influencing practices to strengthen the national public health emergency response system.
A mixed-methods study was conducted between June and August 2023, involving a survey of 169 stakeholders actively involved in PHEM programs in Ethiopia as well as 23 in-depth interviews with key informants in senior leadership or advisory roles. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS and thematic analysis of qualitative transcripts.
During emergencies, it was observed that data sharing between different entities occurred. Quantitative findings showed the predominant types of health data shared between stakeholders during emergencies included hospital data (109, 64.5 %), clinical case information, and laboratory results. Challenges limiting effective coordination included issues like limited functionality of digital health systems (75, 44 %), incompatible data formats (13, 34 %), and financial constraints (83, 49 %) and and socio-cultural barriers constrain current practices in Ethiopia. Qualitative interviews identified five themes around risk communication and inclusive alert systems. Experts emphasized tailored, multichannel outreach but noted infrastructure gaps and digital divides currently limit poorer communities' engagement.
While collaborative health information exchange during emergencies is recognized as important, systemic, financial, and socio-cultural barriers constrain current practices in Ethiopia. Targeted strategies including capacity building, investment in integrated data infrastructure, economic optimization through innovative financing models, trust-based relationship development, and locally relevant communication channels informed by stakeholder perspectives can optimize information accessibility, coordination, quality, and equity of healthcare services during public health emergencies.
利益攸关方之间快速、综合的信息交流对于有效的应急准备和响应至关重要。然而，许多低收入和中等收入国家在实现无缝数据共享方面面临障碍。尽管信息可及性对于埃塞俄比亚基于证据的决策和资源分配很重要，但参与公共卫生应急管理项目的利益攸关方当前的卫生信息共享实践的影响因素尚不清楚。本研究旨在探讨多部门利益攸关方在埃塞俄比亚紧急情况下的卫生数据共享观点和经验，以确定影响实践的机会和挑战，从而加强国家公共卫生应急反应系统。
本混合方法研究于 2023 年 6 月至 8 月进行，涉及对 169 名积极参与埃塞俄比亚公共卫生应急管理项目的利益攸关方进行调查，以及对高级领导层或顾问职位的 23 名关键信息提供者进行深入访谈。使用 SPSS 中的描述性统计和定性转录本的主题分析对数据进行分析。
在紧急情况下，观察到不同实体之间发生了数据共享。定量研究结果表明，利益攸关方在紧急情况下共享的主要卫生数据类型包括医院数据（109，64.5%）、临床病例信息和实验室结果。限制有效协调的挑战包括数字卫生系统功能有限（75，44%）、数据格式不兼容（13，34%）和财务限制（83，49%）以及社会文化障碍限制了当前在埃塞俄比亚的实践。定性访谈确定了围绕风险沟通和包容性警报系统的五个主题。专家强调了量身定制、多渠道的外展，但指出基础设施差距和数字鸿沟目前限制了较贫困社区的参与。
尽管在紧急情况下协作式卫生信息交流被认为很重要，但系统、财务和社会文化障碍限制了当前在埃塞俄比亚的实践。通过利益攸关方的观点，针对性的策略，包括能力建设、对综合数据基础设施的投资、通过创新融资模式进行经济优化、基于信任的关系发展以及由当地相关的沟通渠道，可以优化公共卫生紧急情况下医疗服务的信息可及性、协调、质量和公平性。
