IntroductionHealth care managers and personnel should be aware and literate of health information system in order to increase the efficiency and effectiveness in their organization. Since accurate, appropriate, precise, timely, valid information and interpretation of information is required and is the basis for policy planning and decision making in various levels of the organization. This study was conducted to assess the district health information system evolution in Iran according to WHO framework.MethodsThis research is an applied, descriptive cross sectional study, in which a total of twelve urban and eight rural facilities, and the district health center at Falavarjan region were surveyed by using a questionnaire with 334 items. Content and constructive validity and reliability of the questionnaire were confirmed with correlation coefficient of 0.99. Obtained data were analyzed with SPSS 16 software and descriptive statistics were used to examine measures of WHO compliance.ResultsThe analysis of data revealed that the mean score of compliance of district health information system framework was 35.75 percent. The maximum score of compliance with district health information system belonged to the data collection process (70 percent). The minimum score of compliance with district health information system belonged to information based decision making process with a score of 10 percent.ConclusionsDistrict Health Information System Criteria in Isfahan province do not completely comply with WHO framework. Consequently, it seems that health system managers engaged with underlying policy and decision making processes at district health level should try to restructure and decentralize district health information system and develop training management programs for their managers.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To answer the society's health-care needs related to social determinants of health (SDH), higher education system must be responsive in training knowledgeable students and faculty members. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the responsiveness of higher education system in relation to the SDH. METHODS: This is a content analysis study carried out using qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were used to gain access to the knowledge of experts in the fields of health care, education, and SDH. Sampling was carried out until data saturation was achieved during which 15 experts were selected using purposeful sampling method with highest possible variety. Data were categorized using qualitative content analysis approach. RESULTS: In total, 11 themes and 43 categories of codes were identified in semi-structured interviews with experts. A total of two approaches were identified for the training of responsive students including educational–research approach and cultural–social approach; five approaches were identified for the development of faculty members including cognitive development, executive development, evaluation, promotion and incentives, and revisions; two approaches were identified for provision of theoretical and practical education including education in a real and active environment and structural education; and finally, two approaches were identified for evaluation of students and faculty members in regard to their responsiveness to society's health needs and SDH including content and operational approaches. CONCLUSION: In general, the results of the current study indicate the need for the higher education system to use educational, research, and society-based approaches in real and social environments along with an incentive system and use of evaluation for responsiveness to society's health needs and SDH. These results can be useful for the health-care system and the higher education system.

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