Health information utilization and its associated factors among health professionals in northwest Ethiopia: A crossectional study

Chalachew Msganaw Yehula; Agmasie Damtew Walle; Masresha Derese Tegegne; Berhanu Fikadie Endehabtu; Sisay Maru Wubante; Mequannent Sharew Melaku; Adina Demsie Bogale; Biniyam Tilahun

Informatics in Medicine Unlocked (Jan 2023)

Health information utilization and its associated factors among health professionals in northwest Ethiopia: A crossectional study

Chalachew Msganaw Yehula,
Agmasie Damtew Walle,
Masresha Derese Tegegne,
Berhanu Fikadie Endehabtu,
Sisay Maru Wubante,
Mequannent Sharew Melaku,
Adina Demsie Bogale,
Biniyam Tilahun

Affiliations

Chalachew Msganaw Yehula: Department of Health Informatics, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia; Corresponding author.
Agmasie Damtew Walle: Department of Health Informatics, College of Health Science, Mattu University, Metu, Ethiopia
Masresha Derese Tegegne: Department of Health Informatics, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
Berhanu Fikadie Endehabtu: Department of Health Informatics, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
Sisay Maru Wubante: Department of Health Informatics, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
Mequannent Sharew Melaku: Department of Health Informatics, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
Adina Demsie Bogale: Department of Health Informatics, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
Biniyam Tilahun: Department of Health Informatics, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 40
p. 101287

Abstract

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Introduction: Health information utilization is a global approach to improving the healthcare service quality. However, health information utilization has been challenging in developing countries due to health professionals having limited access to appropriate data. Objective: Therefore this study aimed to assess health information utilization and associated factors among health professionals in North Gondar Zone Hospitals. Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional survey study was conducted among 335 health professionals from June 1 to July 3, 2022. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 software. Data was collected using pretested interviewer-administered questionnaires. Data were entered with epi data 4.6 versions and cleaned and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression was carried out to see the effect of explanatory variables on the outcome variable. The strength of the association between the dependent and independent variables was assessed using the odds ratio, and statistical significance was determined using a p-value of less than 0.05. Results: A total of 327 study subjects participated in this study with a 97.6% response rate. About 64%(95%; CI = 58.4, 68.8) of the participants had good health information utilization. Discuss feedback at a meeting (AOR = 2.65, 95% CI = 1.31–5.39), collect and store data using HMIS tools was (AOR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.10–4.10), and respondents who had check data quality (AOR = 4.54, 95% CI = 2.31, 8.92) were found to be the significant factors associated with health information utilization. Conclusion: Overall, this study finding showed that the level of health information utilization was moderate. The following points are forwarded to improve health information utilization such as; discuss feedback, check data quality, and use HMIS tools.

Published in Informatics in Medicine Unlocked

ISSN: 2352-9148 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General): Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/informatics-in-medicine-unlocked/

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