Towards a conceptual health data model in support of Kenya's National Spatial data infrastructure(KNSDI)

Abstract

Recent developments in interoperable systems and the need for harmonizing standards for data capture and exchange, as evident in Kenya's National Spatial Data Infrastructure (KNSDI)'s goal of promoting information sharing, offers opportunities for redeveloping data collection and storage systems. Key among these is the health data management systems. While other developed countries are focusing on development of health data models to support seamless health data exchange and development of computerized information systems, Kenya is yet to develop one. In a bid to restructure health care data collection and dissemination in conformity with KNSDI, this research presents a conceptual health data model for Kenya. The Universal Modeling Language (UML) is used to model the health data classes, relationships, attributes and data types. The model acts as a guiding template on which health database can be developed. It provides an integrated collection of concepts for describing and manipulating data, relationships between data, and constraints on the data. The ultimate goal is to illuminate the road towards implementing a comprehensive national spatio-temporal health information database functioning proactively in real time and capable of being integrated with other multi-agency datasets.