HIMForward Academy

MODULE 1

Foundations of Health Data Analytics

Estimated learning time: 2–3 hours, including the practical assessment

Health data is collected every day in hospitals, primary healthcare centres, laboratories, community health programmes and public health organisations. But collecting data is only the beginning. The real value comes from understanding what the data means and using it to make better decisions. In this module, you will learn what health data is, where it comes from, how to recognise data quality problems, and how to turn basic figures into useful information. You do not need previous experience in data analytics to begin.

1. 1.1 Welcome to the World of Health Data10–15 minutes
2. 1.2 From Raw Data to Actionable Information15–20 minutes
3. 1.3 The Four Types of Health Data Analytics20 minutes
4. 1.4 Where Health Data Comes From20 minutes
5. 1.5 Understanding Health Indicators25 minutes
6. 1.6 Introduction to Health Data Quality20 minutes
7. 1.7 Evidence-Informed Decision-Making20 minutes
8. 1.A Final Practical Assessment: Umuchu Ward PHC30 minutes

MODULE 2

Excel for Health Data Management and Analysis

Estimated learning time: 3–4 hours, including practical exercises

In Module 1, you learned what health data is, why it matters and how to interpret simple figures. Now, we will learn how to work with that data using Microsoft Excel. You do not need to be an Excel expert before starting. We will learn one skill at a time. Primary tool: Microsoft Excel. Alternative: a compatible spreadsheet such as LibreOffice Calc or Google Sheets, where available. Level: Beginner.

1. 2.1 Introduction to Excel for Health Data20 minutes
2. 2.2 Structuring a Health Dataset20 minutes
3. 2.3 Sorting, Filtering and Data Validation25 minutes
4. 2.4 Cleaning Health Data25–30 minutes
5. 2.5 Essential Excel Formulas30 minutes
6. 2.6 Calculating Health Indicators25 minutes
7. 2.7 Creating Charts and Visual Summaries25 minutes
8. 2.8 Using PivotTables for Health Data Analysis25–30 minutes
9. Assessment Practical Health Data Analysis Exercise45 minutes

MODULE 3

Digital Health Data Collection and Information Systems

Estimated learning time: 3–4 hours

In Module 1, you learned the foundations of health data analytics. In Module 2, you learned how Excel can help you organise, clean and analyse health data. Now we look at how health data is collected, recorded, managed and prepared for analysis using digital tools. Key tools: KoboToolbox, DHIS2 and Excel. We will use fictional examples. Never enter identifiable patient information into practice exercises or unapproved digital tools.

1. 3.1 Understanding Digital Health Information Systems20 minutes
2. 3.2 Introduction to KoboToolbox25 minutes
3. 3.3 Designing a Digital Health Survey30 minutes
4. 3.4 Introduction to DHIS230 minutes
5. 3.5 Understanding Routine Health Information Reporting25 minutes
6. 3.6 Preparing Data from Different Sources for Analysis30 minutes
7. 3.A Digital Health Data Collection and Integration Exercise40 minutes

MODULE 4

Multi-Source Health Data Analysis and Triangulation

Estimated learning time: 3–4 hours

A local team can receive three different numbers for the same programme. A good analyst does not choose the largest figure, or add every source together. This module teaches how to compare facility reports, programme records and survey estimates, investigate the difference, and say only what the evidence supports. Level: beginner to intermediate.

This module teaches general public health data triangulation principles. HIMForward Academy is an independent educational platform and does not claim official affiliation with, or endorsement by, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) or the MSDAT initiative.

1. 4.1 Introduction to Multi-Source Health Data Analysis20 minutes
2. 4.2 Understanding Data Triangulation25 minutes
3. 4.3 Preparing Data for Comparison25 minutes
4. 4.4 Investigating Health Data Discrepancies30 minutes
5. 4.5 Comparing Health Indicators Across Sources30 minutes
6. 4.6 Turning Triangulated Findings into Recommendations25 minutes
7. 4.A Practical Health Data Triangulation Project45 minutes

MODULE 5

Power BI for Health Data Visualisation and Dashboards

Estimated learning time: 3–4 hours

So far you have learned how to collect, organise, clean and interpret health data, and how to compare sources. This module turns those figures into visual reports and dashboards. Primary tool: Microsoft Power BI. Alternative: Microsoft Excel for learners without Power BI Desktop. A clear chart cannot repair unreliable data.

1. 5.1 Introduction to Power BI20 minutes
2. 5.2 Preparing Health Data for Power BI25 minutes
3. 5.3 Building Your First Health Dashboard30 minutes
4. 5.4 Comparing Health Facility Performance25 minutes
5. 5.5 Visualising Health Indicators25 minutes
6. 5.6 Interpreting Dashboard Findings25 minutes
7. 5.7 Communicating Findings to Decision-Makers25 minutes
8. 5.A Practical Health Data Dashboard Project45 minutes

MODULE 6

Monitoring, Evaluation and Health Programme Performance

Estimated learning time: 3–4 hours

An NGO can run a maternal health programme for three months and still not know whether it is on track. This module connects Excel, digital collection, triangulation and dashboards to monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning. Level: beginner to intermediate.

1. 6.1 Introduction to Monitoring and Evaluation25 minutes
2. 6.2 Understanding Results Frameworks30 minutes
3. 6.3 Developing SMART Indicators30 minutes
4. 6.4 Baselines, Targets and Performance Measurement30 minutes
5. 6.5 Routine Data Quality Assessment35 minutes
6. 6.6 Accountability, Feedback and Learning25 minutes
7. 6.7 M&E Reporting and Decision-Making30 minutes
8. 6.A Maternal Health Programme Performance Review45 minutes

MODULE 7

Health Data Research, Interpretation and Decision Support

Estimated learning time: 3–4 hours

You can organise data, compare sources, build a dashboard and monitor a programme. This module asks how those figures become findings a manager can use. Level: beginner to intermediate. The examples are fictional. This lesson explains research ethics. It is not legal advice, and HIMForward is not a regulator.

1. 7.1 Introduction to Health Data Research25 minutes
2. 7.2 Developing Research Questions30 minutes
3. 7.3 Understanding Descriptive Analysis35 minutes
4. 7.4 Interpreting Health Data and Trends30 minutes
5. 7.5 Association, Causation and Bias35 minutes
6. 7.6 Research Ethics and Data Protection30 minutes
7. 7.7 Turning Findings into Decisions30 minutes
8. 7.A Applied Health Data Research and Interpretation45 minutes

MODULE 8

Capstone Project: Gosife District Health Performance Review

Estimated learning time: 4–6 hours

You are the Health Data Analyst and M&E Support Officer for the fictional Gosife District Ward Health Programme. Gosife Comprehensive Healthcare Centre is the anchor. The reporting clinics are Central Clinic, Riverside Clinic, Hilltop Clinic and Valley Clinic. The figures are in the workbook. Do not use a real patient record.

1. 8 Gosife District Health Performance Review4–6 hours