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Applying results of a global needs assessment: How can we make the latest

health information easy-to-find and easy-to-use for health professionals?

Megan O’BrienJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Center for Communication ProgramsKnowledge for Health (K4Health) Project

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K4Health Mission

Make quality health information easy-to- find and easy-to-use for policy makers, program managers, and service providers.

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Health Information Needs Assessment

1. Environment scan (completed)2. Global online survey (completed)3. Multi-country qualitative study: (ongoing)

– Countries: Malawi, Senegal, India, Peru– Methods: Key informant Interviews, Network

stakeholder interviews, Focus group discussions– Coverage: Central, district, community levels

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Results of Needs Assessment Focus on 4 Key Areas

1) Current sources and types of information used

2) Existing infrastructure, technology, tools, and networks

3) Barriers to obtaining information 4) Demand for information and health topics

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1) Current Sources and Types of Information Used

• Workshops, meetings• Discussions with colleagues• Professional networks / Technical working groups• Government and partner organizations• Internet• Textbooks and official materials, including:

– Guidelines– Manuals– Hospital protocols

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2) Existing Infrastructure, Technology & Tools (Malawi)

• Internet at central level is good, at district level is fair, at community level is non-existent– Wireless is widely available, but expensive

• Mobile phone usage is good; at central level 15 phones per 10 person, district 10 per 10 person, community 7 per 10 person– Airtime and network reliability are challenges.– SMS is widely used

• Most people have printers at central and district level, but ink and paper are expensive

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3) Barriers to Obtaining Information

• Getting information to the community level• Using health information

– Lack of reading culture– Literacy/language issues

• Limited capacity to access the Internet• Limited knowledge about web-based resources and

how to find them• Lack of knowledge management/exchange

experience

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4) Demand for Information

• Health workers need information that is:– Trustworthy– Up-to-date – Locally relevant– Practical – Easy-to-digest– Convenient– Accessible

• Top Four FP/RH Topics by Job Function are:– Adolescent RH– FP/MCH Integration– CBFP– FP/HIV Integration

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K4Health Global Model

• Seamless connection to regional and country Web platforms

• Local language translations

• Facilitates a two-way flow of information

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K4Health Country Model

• National partnership platforms

• Technical working groups

• District learning centers

• Country correspondents

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www.K4Health.org/toolkits/

K4Health Toolkits

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K4Health Custom Search & Databases

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eLearning

Antenatal CareDiarrheal DiseaseEmergency Obstetric and Newborn CareEssential Newborn CareFamily Planning 101Family Planning CounselingFamily Planning Programming –

Elements of SuccessFemale Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C)Fostering Change in Health ServicesFP Legislative & Policy Requirements (Updated)HIV Basics (Part 1)Hormonal Methods of ContraceptionHuman Resources for Health (HRH)Immunization EssentialsIUDLogistics for Health Commodities

M&E FundamentalsMacroeconomics 101MalariaMalaria in PregnancyMaternal Survival –

Programming IssuesMother-to-Child Transmission of HIVNewborn SepsisPneumoniaPopulation, Health and Environment BasicsPostpartum CarePostpartum Family PlanningPreventing Postpartum HemorrhageStandard Days MethodTuberculosis –

Advanced ConceptsTuberculosis Basics (Updated)Youth Reproductive Health

31 Available Courses

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Key Messages

• Assessing health information needs is an important step in meeting demand and creating useful resources

• Utilizing a multi-channel communication approach, K4Health is making health information easy-to-find and easy-to-use for health professionals:– Internet, print, USB and CD ROMs– SMS technology– eLearning– Social networking– Virtual discussions

• K4Health global and country models extend the reach of health information throughout the health system

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Thank you!

Acknowledgements:

• Tara Sullivan, K4Health• Saori Ohkubo, K4Health• Nancy LeMay, MSH• Piers Bocock, MSH• Adrienne Kohls

For more information:

• All reports available at: www.k4health.org/needsassessments

• Contact: needsassessment@k4health.org