Strategies for Strengthening the Adoption and Utilization of Health Informatics among Nurse in Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

This research is to explore the strategies for strengthening the adoption and utilization of health informatics among nurses in Niger State. The study has five research questions with five corresponding objectives. These are; to assess nurses’ awareness regarding health informatics systems to improve their service output, to assess nurses’ perceptions regarding the adoption and use of health informatics, to improve their service delivery and patient outcomes, to assess the pattern of utilization of health informatics resources among nurses, to determine the influence of age, gender, marital status, educational status on utilization of health informatics resource, and to assess the barriers and drivers to promote the adoption and utilization of health informatics resources among nurses in Niger State. A review of related literature was done as well as the use of communication channel theory. The study adopts a triangulation of the quantitative and qualitative research methods. The sample size of 320 was considered using Taro Yamane’s formula. The multi-stage sampling technique was used involving fishbowl, random, purposive and convenience. The structured questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data, and a key informant interview was used for qualitative data among the nine LGA sampled. The quantitative data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the result of 233 duly returned and completed questionnaires. The study found among others that nurses were aware of the health informatics system, however, the adoption and usage were reported to be relatively very low. It was also found that health informatics in the area were not adopted because of the negligence of the health managers and drivers. The study recommends among others that drivers of health management must embrace the health informatics system and also ensure their adaptability because it is regarded as a resource of convenience and acceptable health informatics system.