Use of Community Based Health Information Systems in Health Systems

A Community Based Health Information System (CBHIS) is a type of health information system that is based in the rural community and informal settlements of urban areas. Its objective is to produce relevant and quality information to support decision making. Performance of CBHIS should be measured both in terms of the quality of data and the evidence of continued use of data for improving the performance of the health system and, ultimately, the population’s health status. This book focuses on 4 types of CBHIS that currently exist, their purpose(s) and data quality standards. The CBHIS should hence strive to complement the functions of a health system which include: Aiding decision-making, improving service delivery to the population and subsequently Impacting positively on the health outcomes of the target population at different levels of the health system.

Augustine Ojino is a Lecturer at Great Lakes University of Kisumu (GLUK) teaching in the Faculty of Arts & Sciences and The Tropical Institute of Community Health & Development. He also works with local communities in projects aimed at health systems strengthening and Development.