Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #102752

Liz Nugent, MIA, Partners for Health Reformplus, Abt Associates Inc., 4800 Montgomery Lane, Suite 600, Bethesda, MD 20814, 301 718-3196, liz_nugent@abtassoc.com and Lena Kolyada, International Health, Abt Associates Inc., 4500 Montgomery Lane, Hampden Square, Suite 600, Bethesda, MD 20814.

One of the biggest challenges health professionals face in resource-poor countries is finding quality, relevant information. Although abundant electronic information is available and much of it is free of charge, it can only be accessed if there is a secure electricity supply, availability of a reliable Internet service, and ready access to computers and printers. Knowledge, however, may not function when disconnected from its context. Information will be useful only if it is: in a language user can easily read, is written at a level suitable for user, is relevant to local needs, and is delivered in a timely manner. Partners for Health Reformplus surveyed some 4,750 people worldwide in 2004 to confirm preferred language for receipt of information and to determine topics of greatest interest in an effort to gauge the usefulness of information provided, ascertain the level of connectivity of information users, and establish personal contact and solicit feedback by opening a two-way channel of communication. A response rate of 14% provided input with the potential to serve as a compass for prioritizing future communication strategies and to widen information access. While the Internet provides one opportunity to narrow the information gap and allows users to access what is relevant versus what is provided, producers of information must continue to blend technology with traditional sources of information. Enhancing the flow of information to resource-poor countries is perhaps one of the most cost-effective ways to improve health care delivery and strengthen health systems and ultimately, to improve health and health equity.

Learning Objectives:

• Articulate the steps for developing a survey to measure the impact of information.
• Outline a plan to target appropriate information to specific audiences.

Keywords: Communication, Health Reform

Related Web page: phrproject.com

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.