BACKGROUND: Access to and use of electronic information sources for clinical decision is the key to the attainment of health related sustainable goals. Therefore, this study was to assess Electronic Information Sources (EIS) access and use for healthcare service among hospitals of Western Oromia, Ethiopia, 2013. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive study design with quantitative and qualitative data collection methods was employed. Study subjects were selected by using simple random sampling technique. Quantitative data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Moreover, multiple logistic regression was fitted to identify independent predictors, and qualitative data were transcribed and analyzed thematically. RESULTS: A total of 590 health professionals were participated in the study with response rate of 95%. Forty-two percent of health professionals had used Electronic Information Sources (EIS). Out of them, more than half used to get latest health information. About three-fourth of health professionals had no formal training on how to use EIS. Moreover, there is a significant association between use of electronic information source and information literacy training, computer literacy level, access to internet connection and access to computers. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, it was determined that more than half of health professionals in the study area were not using EIS. Information literacy training, self-stated computer literacy level, access to internet connection and access to computers with in hospitals were found to be statistically significant factors affecting use of EIS.

Abstract

The survey paper made an effort to analyze the status of digitization process in selected institutions of Addis Ababa city, Ethiopia, February 2009. The focal objective of the survey was to identify the scope, current practices, development endeavors and future considerations of digitization of records or archival materials in Ethiopian organizations. Data was collected from selected 27 (90%) institutions and analyzed. The study applied survey method using instruments like questionnaire and literature study. In the process of identifying the status, progress, prospects and challenges to digitization and form the basis of providing future roadmap to successful execution of digitization projects, the result of the survey uncovered that there are gaps contributing to compromised digitization activities, questioning its futurity. It has also confirmed findings that uncertain needs, lack of awareness, unproved project executions, resistance to transition from traditional systems, intellectual property issues, the impact of organizational dynamics, the failure of organizations to gear up digitization projects, resources inadequacy, poor long-term planning, the need for management systems, unanticipated costs of technology resources, difficulties in moving into an international arena, lack of clarity in interpreting the digital world and the like are factors affecting the digitization issues in the country. Let alone digitization of records, records/archives of originals lack clearly defined preservation management system. More than half 16 (59%) of surveyed institutions reported that there is no mechanism yet implemented for original record preservation management. Nonetheless, an in-house digitization initiative of records/archive services was the most likely, positively considered future option by the largest number of institutions 24 (88.8%) and from which 14 (51.8%) believed that original record/archives preservation is one of the major criteria and driving force for digitization. Original record/archives digitization should be supported by a defined standard that ensures access, retrieval, interoperability and preservation. In this regard only 10 (37%) institutions of the survey expresses that they did take digitization standard into account and the rest have got no idea about the need for the standard itself. All in-house implementations were conducted exclusive of guidelines; accordingly 20 (74%) respondents confirmed that their digitization activities are on the way in the absence of implementation guideline. Moreover, Ethiopian records/archives digitization efforts are moving forward with out national strategy.

This paper reports part of a study of 2007, on the assessment of public sector libraries to enhance public officers' quality service delivery in Ethiopia. Most public officers of Ethiopia were found to have their highest qualification as first degree 125(51.4%) and most library staffs had diploma in library science 14 (27.5%). Most library staffs are in the lower level of the public service, who, mostly are not involved in policy decision-making of their organizations. Both public officers and library staffs indicated the types of library and information services provision in the public sector libraries to include; lending services 186(63.3%) and reference and information service 169(57.5%), while the least response was on abstracting service 24(8.2%). Public officers on the other hand were satisfied with the type of library and information service provision in the public sector libraries of Ethiopia. The study concluded the Libraries in the Ethiopian public sector are inadequately equipped with professionally qualified library staff to meet the professional needs of users on the provisions of library and information services in the public libraries in Ethiopia. The library staffs are not trained, and the significance of libraries' roles are not satisfied by the users. The study advanced some recommendations and suggestions for further studies.