Development of Integrated Provincial Health Data Center, Buriram Province

Abstract

The objective of this study was to develop an integrated health data center at the provincial level with all users’ involement. It included the central database system, data transferring system, networking and security system, and auditing system, for a quality of information that could reflect health status and improve access of the people to health services. The study site was Buriram Province during October 2009 to September 2012. The process was divided into 3 phases: (1) data integration, (2) data system development, and (3) central analysis and report. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Z-test, and McNemar at alpha 0.05, as well as content analysis. The results showed that the developed health data center could be able to integrate data and information successfully on health promotion, disease prevention and treatment which was beneficial to users at all levels including the general population. It could reduce time and redundancy in report generation, linkage, communicate, and exchange of data among all concerned units within the district, among districts in the province, and with the National Health Security Office and the Ministry of Public Health. It could indicate health status of the people and their access to health services. Recording errors were also detected. Improving completeness and reducing under reporting and data input errors were recommended.