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ICT s and National Health Security Promotion. Olusola Oresanya, MD, IMPH Public Health Specialist. Outline. Introduction Aim Nigerian context The role of ICTs in health security ICT tools in health The role of women Conclusion. Introduction. Health Defined….
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ICTsand National Health Security Promotion Olusola Oresanya, MD, IMPH Public Health Specialist
Outline • Introduction • Aim • Nigerian context • The role of ICTs in health security • ICT tools in health • The role of women • Conclusion
Health Defined… • WHO defines ‘health’ as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’ • This suggests that one could be physically alright but still be unhealthy • Mental stress or social instability contribute to negative health status • Health is a dynamic condition resulting from a body's constant adjustment and adaptation in response to stresses and changes in the environment for maintaining an inner equilibrium called homeostasis
…and Public Health Security? • This is defined as the provision and maintenance of measures aimed at preserving and protecting the health of the population • It is also defined as the policy areas in which national security and public health concerns overlap • The spread of infectious disease can be considered a security threat, along with the drugs trade as well as bioterrorism • Protecting the safety and well-being of citizens is now seen as a central security concern for governments • Global Health Security Initiative established by some G8 countries, Mexico and EU in 2001 WHO, 2014
Aim • Health security can be guaranteed both at population and individual levels • This lecture aims at • linking ICTs to health security promotion within the Nigerian context • Highlighting examples of ICTs currently being used in securing public health, as well as • Recommending what can be done at individual levels
In Nigeria… • 36,000 women die every year in pregnancy or at child birth • At least 5500 of these deaths are among teenage mothers • Nigeria contributes 13 % of the global maternal death rates (576/100,000 live births) • Chronic illnesses also on the rise e.g. HBP, cancers, DM • Health outcomes correlate with literacy/education • ICRW research shows that women are more likely to control their own destinies and effect change in their own communities when they have higher levels of education. • NDHS 2013 puts Women Literacy in Nigeria at 47% with variations across the country NDHS 2013; ICRW
Female Literacy rate in Nigeria by state in 2013. < 35% < 35% 35-50% 50-60% 60-70% 60-70% 50-60% 80-90% 70-80% 80-90% 80-90% > 90%
Where does ICT come in? • The global dialogue about "eHealth" and health information technologies is gaining momentum • One of the key public health strategies used to achieve better health outcomes is communication for behavioural change • Ignorance and poor access to services are major contributors to negative and sometimes fatal health outcomes • Investing in efficient, accessible, and cost-effective information and communication technology (ICT) tools can help to improve health outcomes and prevent diseases in low-resource settings • ICT therefore provides a major platform to secure the health of the populace • The internet is awash with information on different aspects of health for instance, all you need to do is access it! (however, with caution)
ICT tools in public health • Global Alert and Response – track and respond to disease outbreaks of int’l importance. E.g. EBV • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to map individual patients/study participants addresses using geospatial reference data to allow for easier home-visit follow-ups during both annual disease surveillance sampling, vaccination campaign, disease hot-spots and high-risk pregnancy check-ups • "mHealth" (mobile health) tools - cell phones for paperless data entry and patient and biological specimen verification/tracking in the field (using unique identification numbers and barcode)
ICT tools in public health - 2 • SMS for life – aimed at improving access to essential malaria medicines in rural areas of developing countries. It uses a combination of mobile phones, SMS messages, the Internet and electronic mapping technology to track weekly stock levels at public health facilities in order to eliminate stock-outs (reduced from 79% to 26% in 6month in Tanzania) • Data management systems -real time online access to NHMIS on the DHIS platform. Mobile phone options or hard-to-reach areas
ICT tools in public health - 3 • Teleradiology in Mali- provides a solution for the lack of trained radiologists in rural hospitals, by offering the possibility to send or receive x-ray scans and diagnosis over the internet. • In-clinic patient identification systems (including fingerprint scanning) that are linked to electronic medical record databases, allowing for more streamlined access to clinical history and patient information • Health tips as sent as SMS to mobile phones • Online Training courses for health workers
So what can I do as a woman ? • Take charge of your own health security, be ICT compliant • Access the wealth of information available on the www • You can now subscribe to health tips as text messages from any communication network • Use the social media networks to share information • Demand for information from your health provider • Do your pap smear and HPV tests routinely • Remove any breast lumps as soon as they are detected
Negative effects of ICT • Reduced physical activity: A negative effect of ICT is that users may adopt a more sedentary lifestylecausing obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. • Backache from wrong sitting position while on the computer, eye problem from computer glare etc • Many countries have workplace regulations to prevent problems such as repetitive strain injury or eyestrain, but lack of physical exercise is rarely addressed as a specific health hazard. • Eat healthy, exercise, use dance DVDs
Conclusion • The interrelation of ICTs and health security cannot be overemphasised • Although a lot is being done in the health sector in terms of ICTs, there is still a long way to go in Nigeria • To intervene successfully in the reduction of maternal mortality, empowerment of women and education of the girl child are key • Improve health in the community; rural access to resources and basic medical services are achievable through appropriate use of ICTs