Doctoral Degrees (Human Nutrition)

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Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Human Nutrition) by Author "Idzerda, Leanne"

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    Design of an architectural framework for a health assessment information system for urban agriculture interventions in low-resource settings using a soft systems approach to information system design
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04) Idzerda, Leanne; McLachlan, Milla; Michalowski, Wojtek; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Global Health. Human Nutrition.
    ENGLISH SUMMARY: Introduction: Urban agriculture interventions in low-resource settings have not demonstrated the expected improvements to nutrition outcomes. Urban agriculture interventions also pose a number of potential risks to population health. The purpose of this research is to design the architectural framework for a technology-supported information system that can support program managers in developing strategies that aim to improve nutrition outcomes and mitigate the risks to population health. This tool is called the Health Assessment Information System for Urban Agriculture Interventions in Low-Resource Settings (HAIS). Methods: The architectural framework was developed by identifying and capturing the technical and soft elements of the health impact assessment (HIA) approach. Soft systems methodology (SSM) was used in three phases of research to design the architectural framework of the HAIS. Each phase corresponds to a research question and determines (1) what activities need to be supported, (2) what information is required to support these activities, and (3) how to structure that information. Results: Five activities where program managers require support were identified, and the information required to support these activities was defined. The architectural framework of the HAIS, which consists of several components that function together, was developed around these activities. This architectural framework builds the theoretical foundation for the development of a future technology-supported information system that can be used to support program managers to develop their own strategies within a complex organizational context. Conclusion: The HAIS represents the first step towards developing a decision tool that can support program managers in complex low-resource organizational settings to develop strategies to improve nutrition outcomes and mitigate population health risks. This research represents the first attempt to use SSM to identify and capture the technical and soft elements of the HIA approach into an architectural framework for an information system that, when developed, may be used by non-experts to design urban agriculture interventions.