NEEDS ASSESSMENT OF THE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM IN THE MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL SECURITY

The IMSS is updating their information systems. The epidemiological information systems are one of the most important information sources to define health policies.We analyzed epidemiologists¡¦ needs of epidemiological information systems; described utilization of these systems, and explored epidemiologists¡¦ attitudes towards utilization of computer applications.During summer 2002 we applied a survey. We included epidemiologists who were active workers and excluded participants that answered less than 80% of the questionnaire.From 467 participants 34.7% were females, age 46.56(„b5.92), 99.4% physicians, 48% work in primary care units. Epidemiologists have been performing their current position 7.86 years (¡Ó6.02). Almost 67% have computer, 22.3% e-mail and 35.3% Internet access.Those with computers access spent less time filling forms and more time doing data processing. Epidemiologists with information technology access developed stronger networks and communications channels than those who didn¡¦t.Just 13% of the epidemiologists have published at least one article, those with computers published 1.83 more times than those who didn¡¦t, 34% are doing research activities, those with computers did 1.65 more research activities than those without, and participants with Internet access did 1.74 more research than those who didn¡¦t.Epidemiologists¡¦ opinion about the accuracy of epidemiological information systems wasn¡¦t influenced by computer access (X2= 60.86, p<.001), e-mail (X2=1.94, p=.20) and Internet (X2=1.94, p=.16).Epidemiologists who have computers opined 23% more that notification channels are slow than those who didn¡¦t (X2=1.20, p=.27) and, those who have Internet access agreed 38% more (X2=2.65, p=.10) and who have e-mail opined 68% more (X2=5.36, p=.02).Epidemiologists who have computers agreed 30% more that notification forms are accurate than those who didn¡¦t (X2=1.31, p=.25) and those with Internet access agreed 1.54 more times (X2=3.83, p=.05).There weren¡¦t differences among information technology access and epidemiologists¡¦ agreement towards the convenience of computer applications, as well as consequences of computer applications. There weren¡¦t differences among epidemiologists¡¦ age, gender, time in job position, working time in IMSS and job position and opinions about desirability of computer applications. Epidemiologists¡¦ opinions were that epidemiological information systems are working well but have to be improved some areas. There was acceptance toward IHC in public health