Improving Aboriginal health data capture: evidence from a health registry evaluation
Date
2010-12-07
Authors
Harper, Sherilee
Edge, Victoria L.
Schuster-Wallace, Corinne
AR-RUSHDI, M.
McEwen, Scott A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
ORCID
Type
Article
Degree Level
Abstract
The lack of high-quality health information for accurately estimating burdens of disease in some Aboriginal populations is a challenge for developing effective and relevant public health programmes and for health research. We evaluated data from a health registry system that captured patient consultations, provided by Labrador Grenfell Health (Labrador, Canada). The goal was to evaluate the registry's utility and attributes using modified CDC guidelines for evaluating surveillance systems. Infectious gastrointestinal illness data were used as a reference syndrome to determine various aspects of data collection and quality. Key-informant interviews were conducted to provide information about system utility. The study uncovered limitations in data quality and accessibility, resulting in region-specific recommendations including conversion to an electronic system. More generally, this study emphasized how a systematic and standardized evaluation of health registry systems can help address challenges to obtaining quality health data in often remote areas where many Aboriginal communities are found.
Description
CC BY-ND
Keywords
Aboriginal health, gastrointestinal infections, registry evaluation, surveillance system
Citation
HARPER SL, EDGE VL, SCHUSTER-WALLACE CJ, AR-RUSHDI M, McEWEN SA. Improving Aboriginal health data capture: evidence from a health registry evaluation. Epidemiology and Infection. 2011;139(11):1774-1783. doi:10.1017/S095026881000275X
Degree
Department
Program
Advisor
Committee
Part Of
item.page.relation.ispartofseries
DOI
10.1017/S095026881000275X