Health Information and Health Communication Technology: Impacts and Implications

Abstract

The study was undertaken to ascertain the impact and implications of health communication and health information technology (HIT) in Nigeria. Four research questions were formulated for the study. Literature review included the concept of health communication, HIT, the impact and implications of health information technology (HIT), theoretical framework using the theory of diffusion of innovation and empirical review of related literature. A descriptive design was used to collect data on 28 health workers in District Hospital Agbani and Agbani Health Centre who were the population of the study. The whole population formed the sample due to its size. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and the collected data were analysed using frequency, which were converted to percentages. Findings revealed that 53.6% of the respondents had knowledge of e-health records and 42.9% on e-health. 53.6% of the respondents indicated that e-health records are in use in their health facilities while none indicated that tele-nursing and e-compliance are in use in their health facilities; 57.1% of the respondents indicated that HIT could reduce the time spent in delivery and sourcing health care, while 50% also indicated that HIT increases access to information, making it easier to track health and wellness goals, resulting in increased access to customized information and support for shared decision making. Based on the above findings, the study made the following recommendations: the health workers should be trained on information technology to enhance their competence in the application of HIT; extend Internet services to rural areas to enhance health care delivery through technology; and create public awareness on the already-deployed HIT facilities.