Effects of Demographic Characteristics on the Electronic Health Management Information System (eHMIS) Functions in Tanzania

Abstract

We assessed the use of Electronic Health  Management Information – eHMIS – and the  influence of demographic characteristics on the  eHMIS functions. In particular, we explore  changes in the usage of eHMIS among health  workers. We also determined the effects of  demographic characteristics on the usage of  eHMIS and assessed any improvement in the  ability to use eHMIS after its development. A mixed research design approach was adopted. The  respondents were the clinical and non-clinical  staff. Data was collected using interviews and  questionnaires in three phases: baseline, midline, and final survey. The findings revealed an increase  in the frequency of use of the eHMIS for entering  and searching data entry from the midline to the  final review. Apart from entering data, browsing, and retrieving previously recorded data, other  eHMIS functions were not affected by  demographic characteristics. On self-efficacy,  there was an increase in health workers who felt  comfortable using the system in the final survey  compared to the baseline survey. In conclusion,  enough training, user experience, and support  from the management are very important in  effective eHMIS implementation. 

https://doi.org/10.59200/ICONIC.2022.007