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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Lucia Dhooge, MBA, BSN, RN¹, Debra Kane, PhD, RN¹, and Elizabeth Stover, BS². (1) Iowa Department of Public Health, 321 E 12th St., Des Moines, IA 50319, 515-281-7613, ldhooge@idph.state.ia.us, (2) Des Moines University, 3200 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312

The Iowa Department of Public Health State Systems Development Initiative (SSDI) promotes Iowa's use of maternal and child health (MCH) data systems for policy and program development. An important component of the Iowa SSDI is to assess the state's MCH capacity for data integration, data use, and data dissemination.

We collected data via face-to-face interviews (n=14) using a modified version of the Council for State and Territorial Epidemiologists Capacity Assessment Tool: MCH Questionnaire. Key study variables were: database linkages, data use, and data dissemination. We conducted a descriptive analysis using SPSS V13.

The majority of data sets (71.4%) were linked with at least one other data set, primarily vital statistics and Medicaid claims data. Respondents reported using data for program planning, to modify existing programs, for grant reports or applications (74.1% each), program evaluation (64.3%), new program development (57.1%), and for needs assessment (42.9%). Data were disseminated via written reports (92.9%), web site reports (57.1%), state level presentations (42.9%), regional or national presentations (21.4%), and publications in peer-reviewed journals (14.3%).

The percentage of linked data sets suggested that data managers understood the value of integrating data sets and moving away from data “silos.” Survey results indicated that data were used for a variety of policy and program activities and were primarily disseminated to local and statewide audiences.

We gained insight about Iowa's use of MCH data systems for policy and program development. Future assessments will examine stakeholder satisfaction with data dissemination and usefulness.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe a method to assess state level MCH data capacity.
• Describe the importance of internal assessments.
• Discuss how data results can highlight data capacity strengths and guide agency activities to increase data capacity.

Keywords: Information System Integration,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered