By Lorraine Anyango.
Kisumu County is taking a significant step towards improving its healthcare system by prioritizing research and data-driven decision-making. The county is currently training its health workers in data analysis and utilization, intending to generate high-quality research and inform evidence-based interventions.
“Research plays a pivotal role in advancing healthcare interventions,” stated Dr. Don Sunday Ogolla, Director of Clinical Services. “By embracing evidence-based medicine, we can significantly enhance the quality of healthcare services in Kisumu.”
One of the key initiatives is the collaboration with the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) program. This partnership enables health workers to leverage data generated by CHAMPS to develop impactful research abstracts. By publishing these abstracts and presenting their findings, participants can contribute to policy development and influence healthcare practices.
Dr. Dicken Onyango, Co-Director of the CHAMPS Kenyan site, underscored the potential of data-driven insights. He noted that participants can leverage data generated by the CHAMPS program to develop abstracts, contributing to both policy development and knowledge dissemination.
The ongoing five-day training workshop, attended by health workers from Kisumu and Siaya counties, focuses on strengthening their capacity to analyze and utilize data to improve child health outcomes. The training emphasizes the importance of data quality, real-time data collection, and statistical analysis techniques.
The Power of Abstracts
Abstracts, concise summaries of research findings, are a powerful tool for disseminating knowledge and informing policy decisions. By empowering health workers to develop high-quality abstracts, CHAMPS aims to amplify the impact of their research and contribute to improved child health outcomes.
Building Data Analysis Skills
The training program covers a wide range of topics, including epidemiology, infectious diseases, data sources, data management, and statistical analysis. By the end of the training, participants will be equipped to:
- Analyze and interpret data to identify trends and patterns
- Develop research questions and hypotheses
- Conduct statistical analysis using appropriate methods
- Write clear and concise research abstracts
- Present research findings effectively
By investing in the skills and knowledge of its healthcare workforce, the county is poised to make significant strides in improving the health and well-being of its citizens.
