Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Utilization of Information Communication Technology among Medical students and Health care providers at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital
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Date
2009-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: The advancement in Information Communication Technology (ICT) provides greater ease of access and use to exploit the benefits of computing for medical education as well as quality health service delivery. However, there is no adequate information on the level of knowledge and utilization patterns of ICT among medical students and health care providers in Ethiopia.
Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and utilization of ICT among students and health care providers in AAU, Medical Faculty and Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa.
Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted in AAU, MF and Tikur Anbessa Specialized hospital from February to March 2009, a total of 403 study participants were randomly selected from undergraduates, residents and health care providers based on their population size proportionally. The quantitative data were collected using self administered pretested questionnaire. The study was complimented with in-depth interview. Data were initially entered into EPi-6 dos version and exported to SPSS version 15.0 for analysis.
Result: A total of 334 students and 59 HCPs participated in the study and about 25% of the
respondents had satisfactory knowledge. Around 52% of the respondents had at least one computer at home and 74.8% of study subjects had Internet access mostly from Internet café(46.6%). Among study participants who had Internet access, 89.3% were users though 90.1% of them using it for e-mail service. About 83.2% of study participants had positive attitude towards ICT. The utilization rate of computer was 32.6% for all respondents. Computer possession [OR(95%CI) = 5.67(2.68, 11.99)], having computer training [OR (95%CI) = 2.26(1.12, 4.55)],
knowledge on ICT [OR (95%CI) = 2.52(1.31, 4.84)], being intern [OR (95%CI) =5.01(1.71,14.69)] and resident [OR (95%CI) = 6.84(1.46, 31.99)] had significant difference in level of utilization among students in Addis Ababa University, Medical Faculty.
Conclusions and recommendations: The study indicated that students and HCPs had low knowledge level and poor utilization status of ICT for academic purpose and service delivery needs. The findings indicate the need for improving the existing ICT course in the curriculum to be more skill oriented and also formal in-service ICT related trainings for the health care providers. Further, it is recommended that the medical faculty as well as MOH should consider improving the ICT facilities for students and health care providers with the aim of achieving universal access.
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Keywords
ICT ,Students ,Health care providers