Utilisation of E-Health Services Among Health Care Workers and Patients Attending Public and Private Health Facilities on Moroto District./

Abstract

Background: E-health is seen as one of the major emerging remedies in reducing high healthcare cost, improving health access and quality of health care system in both the developed and developing counties, whereby embracing it is paramount. The use of ICT in health care has the potential to change the delivery and management of health care services. Its adoption and utilization remains low in developing countries Uganda inclusive. Objective: The study aimed at establishing the level of utilization of e-health services among health care workers and patients attending public and private health facilities in Moroto district. Method: A descriptive cross sectional study was employed to assess the factors associated with the utilization of e-health services among health workers and patients in Moroto district, July to October 2016. A total of 32 health care workers and 352 patients attending public and private health facilities were included in this study using non-probability, purposive sampling technique. A structured questionnaire and interview guide was used to collect data. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Result: From the assessment done, generally the utilization of e-health services was reported as low at 30% and specifically 25% and 30.4% among health care workers and patients respectively. Factors such as rating of knowledge level of using ICT gadgets for e-health services was reported having average level of knowledge on using ICT gadget (p=0.00), learning the use of e-health online platform (p=0.000), level of knowledge and skills in ICT (p=0.000), familiarity with e-health services (p=0.000), frequency of Internet access (p=0.000), ability to buy ICT gadget (p=0.001) and cost rating of e-health services (p=0.000) were found to independently influence utilization of e-health services.

Conclusion: The findings indicated very low level of utilization of e-health services Recommendation: There is need to enhance awareness on the use of e-health services by NGOs, health facility management and MOH Uganda. The Government should also provide a functioning deliberate e-health policy to enhance accessibility, knowledge/skills and addresses cost related barriers to improve quality of health care services.