title: 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.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Information Science, Centro de Informacion Cientifica y Humanistica (CICH), Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM).
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Macias-Chapula
mesh_terms: D016206:Databases, Bibliographic; D006801:Humans; D007256:Information Systems; D008800:Mexico; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013597:Systems Analysis