[dhis2] Java-based National Data Dictionary

[Calle H. <che...@te...>]

Hi,

I recently posted the text below to the DHIS ("DHIS1") discussion list - it
might be of interest to DHIS2 list members too (it was a response to users
requesting a standard national data dictionary).

The DHIS discussion list - hosted by the Health Systems Trust (NGO) in south
Africa - caters for 300-400 users of the DHIS. If any of you are interested
in subscribing, send me an email.



Hi,

It's quite interesting to see more and more users now asking for an
Internet-based repository (usually called a "Data Dictionary") of
indicators
with their formulas and definitions, etc.

Below is a short "history" of Data Dictionary development in South
Africa:

1.
The National Health Information Systems / South Africa (NHISSA)
committee
identified the need for a national Data Dictionary as far back as 1994,
and
it has remained a NHISSA objective since then.

2.
A national Task Force, led by Dr David Bourne from the university of the
Western Cape and with a number of members from various clusters in the
national ministry started working on a National Data Dictionary in 1999.
Funding was limited to 1-2 years and staff turn-over resulted in the
task
force gradually being reduced and in practice disappearing in 2001, but
before then it had determined some key issues:

(a)
A Data Dictionary structure was designed based on the Health Data
Dictionary
used in Australia (for more details, see
http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/8964). Which in turn
is
based on the international standard for defining data elements issued by
the
International Organisation for Standardization (ISO).

(b)
Around 35 data elements were formally defined using the above structure.

3.
HISP got involved in 2001, and we did two things:

(a)
A preliminary Data Dictionary Access database was designed to fit the
DHIS.
That is still in use: The Access database part (DataDict.mdb) can be
found
in the "DataDict" sub-folder under your DHIS folder. It has a web-based
front-end (see "Data Dictionary" shortcut on your desktop if you install
the
DHIS), but the first version ONLY covered Data Elements, not Indicators
(also called "Derived Data Elements").

(b)
We imported the national and provincial Minimum Data Sets in use at that
time, a total of around 700 Data Elements. Not all of them had complete
definitions etc, but it was a start. A further advantage was that DHIS
users
could select these data elements and add them to their own DHIS data
file.

4.
In early 2003, a software development team of Master students from Oslo,
India, Spain, and the US did some work on designing a new Data
Dictionary
based on Java. (For those of you with little IT expertise: Java is a
relatively "Open Source" programming language that supports both Windows
and
Linux.)

5.
The HISP development team have continued to work on that application
during
the last 2-4 months (main programmer is Greg Rudman at Soft Craft
Systems),
with the following basic specifications:
- It should be Java based
- it should run on both Windows and Linux
- It should be database independent (i.e. run on Access, ORACLE, MySQL,
etc)
- It should be web-based
- It should run under both Apache (Open Source, 60% of world web server
market) and IIS (Microsoft)
- Both the user interface and the Data Dictionary content should be
multi-language enabled
- It should support both normal read-only web-browsing AND automatic
downloading of updates (a la "windows update")
- Automatic updating and downloads would be via XML (eXtended Markup
Language - modern web language)
- It should have discussion forums etc
- A national/state/provincial Data Dictionary task group would be
responsible for maintaining and updating the Data Dictionary,
moderating/summing up discussions and suggestions for change, etc.
AND
- It should be independent of the DHIS (i.e. any application should be
able
to use it for updating indicators and data elements).

For the technically interested: The Java Technologies we have used are
mainly
- Jakarta/Tomcat
- Turbine
- Apache
- Torque
- Velocity
To read more about these technologies, go to the Apache foundation
website:
www.apache.org

6.
That new Data Dictionary is now close to finished - there's just 2-3
issues
remaining. I expect to do final "development" testing while in Norway
later
this month, so we can release a "Beta" version for real life testing (in
South africa or any other country that's interested) in early September.

Regards
Calle

*********************************************
Calle Hedberg
46D Alma Road,
7700 Rosebank, SOUTH AFRICA
Tel/fax (home): +27-21-685-6472;  Cell: +27-82-853-5352
*********************************************


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Swart, M" <sw...@dh...>
To: "District Health Information System" <dh...@li...>
Cc: "Shilumani M W (Shi...@dh...)"
<IMC...@dh...
v.za>
Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2004 10:32 AM
Subject: [dhis] RE: FW: [isdsfac] ARV report with attachment


> This is a great idea, we experience the same problem in the Limpopo
> Province.  Please sent me the information if it is available.
>
> Regards
> Marietjie Swart
> Polokwane Hospital.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sello Peu [mailto:SP...@nw...]
> Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2004 9:46 AM
> To: District Health Information System
> Subject: [dhis] RE: FW: [isdsfac] ARV report with attachment
>
>
> Hi
>
> That is a very good Idea Frank, I think the best way is for us to come
up
> with a website for all, where we can get all those calculations or use
the
> HST one.
>
> But let us bear in mind about the standard/uniform part of it.
>
> Thanks
> Sello Peu
>
> >>> FTl...@nw... 07/30/04 11:37 AM >>>
>
> Is there anyone who has a document or know where we can find the
document
> with all calculations for the Performance indicators. May we request
the
> National Office to intervene as this has brought problems within my
District
> so that we get standard/uniform calculations.
>
> Thanks
> Frank Tlamama
>