Poor Availability of Information Communication and Technology in Sub-Saharan Africa Health Sector: A Case Study of Nigerian Health Facilities

Availability of Information Communication and Technology in Nigerian health facilities

Abstract

Background: The use of information communication and technology (ICT) in Nigeria has been proven to have changed how the treatment is provided for both in-patients and out-patients in health facilities. Yet, information about their availability is rare. This study aimed to determine the availability of ICTs in Nigerian healthcare facilities.

Methodology: This was a facility-based survey conducted in 872 healthcare facilities in 33 states of Nigeria with the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, from May to July 2019. Data collection included individual interviews and site inspections. The data collected were analyzed with IBM-SPSS 25.0.

Results: The study comprised 113 private and 759 public health facilities. The proportion of private and public facilities that use log forms recording orders was 86.7% and 79.8%, respectively. Computer availability was 52.2% in private 24.6% in public healthcare facilities. Basic handsets were the most available ICT tool, with 79.6% in private and 74.6% in public health facilities, mainly acquired by staff members. Availability of Local area network (LAN) was (23.9% vs. 8.4%) and WiFi (13.3% vs. 3.7%)) in private and public health facilities, respectively (p<0.001). The primary use of the ICT was for routine communication, with 76.1% in private and 70.6% in public facilities (p>0.05). In contrast, the use of ICT for other medical functions such as patient records and supply chain management was very shallow.

Conclusion: There is a need for government and donor agencies such as the WHO and the United Nations to collaborate to ensure the provision of ICTs to Nigerian healthcare facilities.