I worked in Fall 2007 as an information systems architect with IHNFA, the Honduras department of child and family services, and Providence World Ministries, an orphanage in Siguatepeque, Honduras, to design a national system to facilitate adoptions and develop case files for children at risk. I wrote this white paper, HIS for Children at Risk in Honduras, to discuss unique factors of implementing the health component of a national child welfare information system in a resource-poor setting. This paper connects the research of Theo Lippeveld at John Snow International with recent international and national initiatives to reform child & family services.
A few facts about Honduras:
- Population: 7.5 million
- Approx. 200,000 orphans (2.7% of population)
- 8 to 12% of persons under 18 live or work on the street
- 9 Honduran children lose at least one parent due to HIV/AIDS every day
- Chronic nutrition stagnated at 33%
- 50% of population lives below poverty line
- 30% unemployment rate
For those who have been waiting for a good summary of my work in Honduras, this is a good start. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
