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Table 3 Baseline and 12-month skills assessment results (based on a 5-point scale; 1 = no ability, 5 = high ability)

From: Establishing a health information workforce: innovation for low- and middle-income countries

Topic area

Mean baseline ± SD

Mean 1 year ± SD

n

Excel:

  Create tables

3.39 ± 0.99

3.97 ± 1.05*

31

  Perform calculations

3.27 ± 1.29

4.10 ± 0.89**

30

  Create graphs

3.26 ± 1.13

4.13 ± 0.92**

31

Word:

  Write letters/memos

4.10 ± 0.98

4.71 ± 0.59**

31

  Format text

4.10 ± 1.01

4.42 ± 0.92

31

  Create tables

3.70 ± 1.02

4.67 ± 0.66***

30

  Insert graphics

3.15 ± 1.20

4.00 ± 1.33**

27

PowerPoint:

  Create presentations

1.94 ± 1.34

3.97 ± 1.05***

31

Access:

  Input data

1.86 ± 1.13

1.90 ± 1.18

29

  Generate reports

1.62 ± 1.02

1.86 ± 1.19

29

E-mail:

  Send e-mails

4.23 ± 1.15

4.45 ± 1.06

31

Team work:

  Effectively communicate

3.61 ± 0.92

3.35 ± 1.02

31

  Design projects/programs

3.87 ± 1.04

3.50 ± 1.28

30

Data quality:

  Check validity

3.35 ± 1.02

4.00 ± 1.07*

31

  Implement procedures to improve

3.19 ± 1.20

3.90 ± 0.98*

31

Data analysis:

  Interpret data

3.55 ± 0.96

3.87 ± 0.85

31

  Aggregate data

3.81 ± 1.11

3.48 ± 1.03

31

  Assess data consistency

2.81 ± 1.22

3.10 ± 1.11

31

  Use data from more than one source

2.61 ± 1.46

2.81 ± 0.98

31

Epidemiology:

  Knowledge of basics

1.97 ± 1.27

1.97 ± 1.02

29

Assessment:

  Develop relevant questions

2.38 ± 1.24

2.48 ± 0.99

29

  Understand different questions and designs get different results

2.27 ± 1.02

2.30 ± 1.02

30

  Design strategies & tools

2.34 ± 1.26

2.28 ± 0.88

29

Program planning:

  Support programs to use data

1.73 ± 0.91

2.47 ± 0.97**

30

Monitoring:

  Propose indicators

2.10 ± 1.08

3.00 ± 0.97***

31

  Work with program to identify inputs, outputs, and impacts

2.52 ± 1.26

2.90 ± 1.08

31

Evaluation:

  Recommend evaluation questions

2.52 ± 0.96

2.94 ± 1.12

31

  Use qualitative and quantitative data

2.61 ± 1.17

2.55 ± 1.00

31

  Triangulate data

1.65 ± 0.84

1.71 ± 1.04

31

  Support program managers in conducting evaluations

2.16 ± 1.16

2.45 ± 1.03

31

Dissemination:

  Public speaking

2.93 ± 1.11

2.97 ± 1.19

30

  Write evaluation report

2.43 ± 1.14

2.87 ± 1.20*

30

  Effectively communicate results

2.83 ± 1.20

3.17 ± 1.10

29

Use data for programmatic decision-making

3.14 ± 1.43

3.52 ± 1.18

29

Self-assessment:

  Self-assessmentIdentify personal strengths and weaknesses

3.63 ± 1.16

3.73 ± 1.08

30

  Self-assessmentIdentify skills areas needing improvement

3.80 ± 1.13

3.83 ± 1.18

30

  1. * p < 0.05 based on a paired t-test.
  2. **p < 0.05 based on a paired t-test.
  3. ***p < 0.001 based on a paired t-test.
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Human Resources for Health

ISSN: 1478-4491