Comparative Analysis of the Constitution and Implementation of Race/Skin Color Field in Health Information Systems: Brazil and South Africa

The objective is to compare the information systems of Brazil and South Africa regarding the configuration and implementation of the item race/skin color. This is a qualitative, descriptive study, based on the content analysis proposed by Bardin. A survey on race/skin color was carried out in health department documents and ministerial sites in both countries. The collected material was processed and analyzed utilizing the IRAMUTEQ R software, version 0.7 alpha 2, with a test × 2 >  3.80 (p <  0.05), and by the TABNET application version 4.14 and Excel software, version 2016. In Brazil and Africa South, several health information systems did not include race/skin color. In both countries, health information systems were boosted in the mid-1990s. In Brazil, of the systems that provide d ata by race/skin color, the inclusion occurred after claims by the black movement. In South Africa, through the creation of the respective systems. The historical configuration of the question of race/skin color in both countries was guided by political and ideological references. In multiracial and unequal countries, race/skin color is a central political category to promote health equity.
Source: Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research