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Information Seeking Behaviour And Utilization Of Information Communication Technology Among Reproductive Health Professionals In General Hospital
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This contemporary access to information has according to Akinumiju and
Fabumni (1997) revolutionized the way people communicate forging direct
links among groups and individuals on a scale never before possible.
For instance, Piotrow et al (1997) reported that doctors in China
confused by a dying woman’s illness, posted her clinical manifestations
on the Internet putting a general call for appropriate diagnosis to
hospitals around the globe. Within the same day, a United States doctor
sent the correct diagnosis and eighty other doctors confirmed the
diagnosis.
How has this digital divide affected our reproductive
health sector? Piotrow et al (1997), observed that access to electronic
information is not equal and the gap in access to information between
the rich and the poor has widened. Consequently, since those with the
greatest need for reproductive health services (especially in rural
areas) may have the least access, reproductive health professionals must
serve as their advocate to ensure efficient delivery.
Furthermore,
many reproductive health programmes depend on accurate information
communicated to the public and providers in a sufficiently practical and
memorable way that the knowledge will be used when needed. ICT has been
noted by Pobjola (1992), to improve access to clinical information and
quality of clinical processes by practitioners. It is a viable tool for
providers’ knowledge up gradation, quick referral and consulting as well
as serves as data bank for reproductive health.
Providing
connectivity to fragmented or decentralized health systems, as the case
in Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State in particular is cost effective and may
significantly improve reproductive health outcomes (DOl, 2001). The
ability to communicate quickly and directly by cell phone, email,
Internet etc has improved supply and referral systems, (especially
emergencies), improved epidemiological monitoring systems and reduce
isolation, in addition provide for efficiency, save times of both
providers and client, improved access to reliable information and
opportunities for Nigerian reproductive health professionals and will
help put them at per with their counterparts in the rest of the world.
Thus
this research is designed to investigate the information seeking
consciousness of reproductive health professionals in General hospital
Ikot Ekpene. Besides, attempt is made to assess the Information
Communication Technology (ICT) utilization status of these professionals
given their background characteristics – remoteness, poor welfare
status and poor existing ICT facilities base.
1.2 Problem Statement
Growing
evidence demonstrates that ICTs can make significant contribution to
reproductive health under the right conditions. Hospitals in Nigeria are
increasingly becoming ICT driven and are utilizing certain level of ICT
in their operation. And greater access to information and new ideas on
reproductive health is inspiring client to ask for and expect more from
providers.
The ability of providers to meet these challenges depends
on their electronic readiness status. What is the level of
awareness/utilization of ICT by reproductive health professionals? What
are the information seeking attributes of these professionals?
Thus,
this research is envisaged to access the utilization status of ICT by
Reproductive Health professionals in General hospital, Ikot Ekpene.
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