AIDS in Haiti: a bibliometric analysis.

OBJECTIVES: In Haiti, AIDS has become the leading cause of death in sexually active adults. Increasingly, AIDS has become a disease of women and children. Previous bibliometric studies have shown the emergence of Haiti as a leading country in the production of AIDS literature in the Latin American and Caribbean regions. No information exists, however, regarding the type of publications produced, the collaboration patterns used, or the subject content analysis of this production. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the construction of this literature production. METHODS: A bibliometric analysis regarding Haitian AIDS research was conducted in the AIDSLINE database for the period 1980 to 1998. An attempt was made to identify the patterns of the growth in AIDS literature, as well as the types of documents published, authorship, institutional affiliations of authors, and subject content. RESULTS: Results indicated that most documents were published in periodicals. The International Conference on AIDS obtained the highest frequency. The United States, Haiti, and Canada were the main productive countries. CONCLUSIONS: While nearly 40% of the records corresponded to ethnology-related articles, HIV infections, sex behavior, pregnancy, and substance-related disorders headed the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) found. Main aspects of AIDS papers focused on epidemiology, complications, and trends issues.

[A systems approach to the integrated analysis of Mexican health periodicals]. / Un enfoque de sistemas en el análisis integral de las revistas mexicanas del área de la salud.

The purpose of this work is to introduce a systems approach to a holistic analysis of the situation that prevails in regard to quality and development of the Mexican journals in the health sciences (MJHS). This would be performed through the "visibility" of the journals, both individually and as a group at the national and international levels. A soft systems methodology is proposed as an approach to an overall analysis. We describe the human activities and different elements interrelated, at the levels of structure, process and outcome of the system, in regard to edition-distribution-use of the MJHS. The methodology considers two models. One related to quality of the journals, and the other to its use and some expected outcomes. Both models are related to a previous conceptual model that attempts to assess the impact of information use and access on quality of health care. A proposal is presented to implement the models through specific research lines. Some implications of this analysis and its effects on some of the actors involved are described.

A descriptive study of ninety-two hospital libraries in Mexico.

This work reports on the existing situation of ninety-two hospital libraries, located at Mexico's Social Security Institute (IMSS). A descriptive, systems approach was used to explore the physical structure and space of the libraries, staff, furniture, equipment, collections, services, organization and management, and users. Structured interviews were applied to each hospital library, and a questionnaire was used as a tool to collect data. A "control" system, designed to measure the status of each library, was applied through the assignment of values to several indicators, derived from IMSS policy manuals. This procedure helped to identify which library was "more" or "less" adequate to IMSS standards. Within the rank of 10 to 1 (10 = optimum; 1 = minimum), the mean rank of IMSS hospital libraries was 6. The major deficiencies found were those related to furniture (ranked 4) and services (ranked 5) and the lack of library professionals found in 92% of the libraries.

A soft systems approach to designing an information system model to be used as a tool support in the prevention and control of sexually transmitted diseases in a health jurisdiction of Mexico.

The purpose of this work is to present the preliminary results of research in progress on the design of an information system model that is capable of supporting prevention and control activities related to sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in a Mexican health jurisdiction. The project is being developed in the following five phases: 1) informetric indicators on the prevention and control of STD; 2) information flow models representing the access and use of information by the actors involved in the activities; 3) system analysis; 4) system design; and 5) implementation. Bibliometric/scientometric techniques have been applied to conduct the first phase of the project. A soft systems approach is to be conducted throughout phases 2-5. Austin and Kendall and Kendall criteria are to be used for system analysis, design, and implementation. Expected products and benefits include: a) a bibliographic database on the prevention and control of STD in Mexico; b) science policy indicators to improve decision making; c) an information system model/prototype; and d) the development of the soft systems methodology, as applied to improving information-problem-situations in a health system.

[Program for selective dissemination of information in support of priority health problems. II]. / Programa de diseminación selectiva de información en apoyo a problemas prioritarios de salud II.

México's National Health Information and Documentation Center (CENIDS), planned and designed a Selective Dissemination of Information Program in support of Priority Health Problems (DSI-APS). After one year of the implementation phase of this Program, an evaluation survey was conducted in order to measure its impact. Two questionnaires were sent to the institutional managers (C-I) and to the end-users (C-II). A total of 54 questionnaires (CI and CII) were sent via air mail to both the Health and the Education Sectors. Fifty (92.59%) responses were obtained from CI and 242 from CII. (CII could be reproduced as many times as needed). The results indicated the topics of more demand by the institutions and by the users. Eighty one per cent of the end-users scored over eight (scale 1-10) their degree of satisfaction when using the topics. Seventy two per cent of the institutions reported being unable to pay for this service; however, 93% of the end-users state that the Program should continue. It was detected that the topics represent an important support to "research" and "delivery of health care" activities. Finally, it was recommended to carry out specific studies so as to reformulate search strategies; satisfy selective needs, considering the impact obtained; and optimize existent resources.

Analysis of the use of MEDLARS in Mexico.

A statistical analysis of MEDLARS usage by Mexico's National Health Information and Documentation Center (CENIDS) is described. A total of 13,029 connect hours was registered during the period 1977-1986. MEDLINE was the MEDLARS database most frequently used, representing 82.83% of total use. Some 41,563 online searches, requested by 30,775 users, were performed by CENIDS' headquarters staff during this period. Findings from this study will be used to further research on information services in order to maximize the effectiveness of existing resources.

[Indicators, variables and obstacles to the life cycle of scientific and technical information in health. Experiences of the Centro Nacional de Información y Documentación en Salud in Mexico]. / Indicadores, variables y barreras al ciclo de vida de la información cientifica y técnica en salud. Experiencias del CENIDS en Mexico.

Indicators, variables and barriers to scientific and technical health information have been detected and described by CENIDS in Mexico within the life cycle of the information production model, covering the phases of: a) generation; b) institutionalization; c) maintenance/development; and d) distribution/dissemination. Emphasis is placed on the important role that play social, economic, demographic, and political factors of each developing country to conform their ideal information life cycle. After an analysis of the existing Mexican situation, and a short description of CENIDS' structure, organization, functions and services, CENIDS' short-term and mid-term projects, and suggestions for further research lines to improve the current situation in Mexico are also given.

Mexico's national biomedical bibliography: a proposal for the setting-up of a computer-based indexing system.

The planning, design and implementation stages of a computer-based approach to the indexing of the biomedical bibliography in Mexico are described; a proposal for an index to be set up at Mexico's National Health Information and Documentation Centre (CENIDS). Factors such as Mexico's biomedical information production; local information needs; and establishment of objectives/goals of the indexing system are described as relevant indicators to be considered at the planning stage. General computer and non-computer functions, as well as two possible alternatives to the design stage are proposed. A 'phase approach' implementation is also advised. Finally, several information management and organization factors are described as the benefits derived from this proposal; transference of national knowledge; current awareness services and international collaboration, among others.

The Latin American Cancer Research Information Project (LACRIP): an evaluation of its development in Mexico.

In 1979 the National Cancer Institute, the Pan American Health Organization, and the Latin American Information and Documentation Center (Brazil) jointly sponsored the Latin American Cancer Information Project. This paper reports the objectives, development, and utilization of this service as it is administered by the National Health Information Documentation Center in Mexico. Evaluation of the project provides insight into problems of information dissemination in countries that are experiencing great economic instability.

Acceso rapido a la literatura medica mundial en Mexico. / On-line access to the world medical literature in Mexico

Se describen las fuentes y forma de acceso mecanizadas a la literatura medica mundial en Mexico a traves del Centro Nacional de Informacion y Documentacion en Salud (CENIDS).El tema contenido y actualizacion de los bancos de datos de los cuatro sistemas automatizados de recuperacion en informacion (SARI) accesibles a traves de CENIDS (DIALOG, ORBIT, BRS, MEDLARS) son tambien descritos; asi como la infraestructura necesaria y los pasos a seguir para recuperar informacion de dichos bancos de datos. Ello se ejemplifica con una estrategia de investigacion realizada en el banco de datos MEDLINE. A pesar de las barreras existentes para la difusion de los SARI (preparacion de recursos humanos idioma, educacion de usuarios), se concluye que el CENIDS es un apoyo a la investigacion, la docencia y la clinica medica