Abstract:
For proper diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases up to dated and timely information
is prerequisite to the success of health workers (Afolayan and Oyekunle, 2014). Besides,
Healthcare is an information intensive industry and health workers rely on access to correct
and comprehensive information, when and where they need it (Nichols et al., 2008). Despite
its multi dimensional functions, ICTs accessibility to health worker and their utilization status
in west arsi zone is little known. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to investigate
access and utilization of ICTs among HWs in the zone. This study was undertaken in the
Oromia National Regional State in the West Arsi Zone government health institutions. A total
of 281 respondents were selected by using stratified proportional sampling, simple random
sampling and purposively sampling. Cross sectional study design using quantitative and
qualitative approaches has been employed. Data was collected by using self administered
questionnaire and structured but in depth interview methods. The respondent rate was
94.31%. Both descriptive and logistic regression was used for the data analysis. The overall
ICTs utilization status (at health institution and residence) has been found to be 34%. A test of
the full model against a constant only model was statistically significant, indicating that the
predictors as a set reliably distinguished between ICT users and non users (chi square =
174.474, p < .0001 with df = 10). Nagelkerke’s R2
of .846 indicated a strong relationship
between predictors and dependent variables. The overall prediction success was 90.9%
(90.9% for non user of ICTs and 91.1% for ICT users)). In addition to independent variables
“distance” and “internet connection speed” that were not added to logistic regression but
found statistically significant, five independent variables (ICTs accessibility, Health workers
residence, sex, HWs attitudes and ICT service cost) made a significant prediction to affect
ICTs utilization (p<0.05). The study revealed that ICTs accessibility highly affects ICTs
utilization. Therefore, the government and other stakeholders shall work together to improve
ICTs accessibility both in urban and rural health institutions so as to enable HWs get up-todated
and timely information.
