The Preparedness for the Use of Information Communication Technology in Benishangul Gumuz Regional Health Bureau
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2016-06-05
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Abstract
The research presents an investigation of the Preparedness and ICT policy of BGRHB to
integrate ICT in to the health service process. The preparedness of administrative bodies and the
ICT policy of the BGRHB to integrate ICT were investigated using interview and document
analysis. Preparedness of the professionals and supportive staffs of RHB and ZHD in terms of
ICT use, awareness of emerging ICTs, and attitude towards ICT in the use of emerging
electronic health systems or applications were studied using questionnaires. The data obtained
through interview and document analysis were analyzed qualitatively while the one obtained
through the questionnaires analyzed using frequency tables. It was found that the ICT policy is
currently non-existent at BGRHB. It was, however, found that the RHB was imminent of
developing ICT policy. The findings also show that all professionals and supportive staffs were
using Computers (100%) and internet 77.6% at office. Apart from these, among electronic health
systems that are currently used by BGRHB, 60.8% of staffs were using or familiar with eHMIS.
Professionals, supportive staffs and the management team were also found to have positive
attitude towards ICT in health system. An investigation of infrastructure readiness revealed that
there was a serious problem of access to ICT by staffs; i.e. the current infrastructures were only
serving a few staffs and head of RHB. The ICT integration level at RHB was seen in light of a
proposed ICT integration model. It was found that it was found that the characteristics of the
RHB resemble a typical health sector at the first phase, Emerging phase, of the proposed ICT
integration model. It was, so, recommended that the BG RHB needs to work hard to
meaningfully integrate ICT into the health system so that the movement to the next phases,
applying, integrating and transforming could be possible.
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Information Communication Technology in Benishangul Gumuz Regional Health Bureau