Acceptance of information communication technology-based health information services: Exploring the culture in primary-level health care of South Ethiopia, using Utaut Model, Ethnographic Study

Abstract

Introduction In sub-Saharan African countries including Ethiopia, the acceptance of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in health is at the proof-of-concept level with a few unsustainable piecemeal of pilot projects. Thus, a desirable willingness of acceptance among healthcare providers is a paramount. Material and Methods Eight months elapsed ethnographic study design was conducted using participant observation and key informant interviews. The data were entered on Qualitative Data Analysis mine software version 1.4. The quotes and field notes were thematized. The Unified Technology Acceptance and Use Theory (UTAUT) is validated and used to generate new meanings. Results This study highlighted the different instances of technology acceptance. Although the primary-level healthcare (PLHC) providers displayed tendencies to accept ICTs-based health information services consistent with the UTAUT dimensions such as the degree of simplicity associated with performance expectancy, use/effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, social issue, individual variation, and organization culture there are instances that disputed acceptance. For instance, the gains in data quality and reporting secondary to the use of District Health Information System Two (DHIS-II) are not influenced by acceptance. Rather PLHC providers are burnt-out of additional clerical duties of filling data on the DHIS-2. Furthermore, ICT acceptance is influenced by individual variations and the unique culture of primary level facilities such as leadership commitment. Conclusions On this basis, we conclude that the willingness to accept ICT-based health information services at the primary level is not limited to those factors discussed in the UTAUT model.

Exploring facilitators and barriers of the sustainable acceptance of e-health system solutions in Ethiopia: A systematic review

“…In the final systematic review, ten studies from Ethiopia were included. In all eight studies, except one mixed-method [ 31 ] and one qualitative study [ 32 ], nine cross-sectional quantitative design study was included. Seven of these studies among healthcare professionals, one done on the student [ 33 ], one among reproductive healthy women [ 21 ], and one among DM patients were conducted [ 18 ].…”

“…The study finding revealed that participants who were grouped young age (10.0%) [ 21 ], secondary and above educational level (10.0%) [ 21 ], perceived enjoyment (10.0%) [ 33 ], favorable attitude (30.0%) [ 3 , 17 , 35 ] and good habit (10.0%) [ 18 ] frequently occurred in studies and the individual facilitators of sustainable acceptance of e-health systems in Ethiopia. Whereas anxiety(fear of new technologies) appeared in 2 studies (20.0%) [ 8 , 32 ]. In addition, older age, lack of interest to use, perceived as systems are not save time and money, unable to share knowledge, and had not experienced work were the individual barriers to sustainable acceptance of e-health systems in our study, which occurred once from the study (10%) [ 32 ].…”

“…Whereas anxiety(fear of new technologies) appeared in 2 studies (20.0%) [ 8 , 32 ]. In addition, older age, lack of interest to use, perceived as systems are not save time and money, unable to share knowledge, and had not experienced work were the individual barriers to sustainable acceptance of e-health systems in our study, which occurred once from the study (10%) [ 32 ].…”

“…The study showed that the individual who had positive effort expectancy (90.0%) [ 3 , 17 , 18 , 21 , 31 – 35 ], performance expectancy (60.0%) [ 3 , 18 , 31 , 32 , 34 , 36 ], computer literacy (20.0%), long duration of mobile devices use (10.0%) [ 21 ] were technological facilitators of sustainable acceptance of e-health system in Ethiopia. Whereas, 10% of unclear platforms of the system and not ease of the systems to do their work were technological barriers to sustainable acceptance of e-health system [ 32 ].…”

Acceptance of e-Learning and Associated Factors among Postgraduate Medical and Health Science Student's at First Generation Universities, Amhara Region, 2023 Using Modified Technology Acceptance Model

“…In Egypt, the e-learning system implemented was with high acceptance level(18). In Developing countries, recent study indicates that the magnitude of intention to use e-learning system in higher education institutions is low (19)(20)(21). In Ethiopia, recent study indicate that the magnitude of intention to use e-learning system in higher education institutions is low (19%) in the case of teachers (22).…”