Utilization of Electronic Medical Record System for the Management of HIV/AIDS Information in Public Hospitals in Homa Bay County, Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t5374Abstract
The adoption of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) is increasing globally due to its potential to improve data accuracy and patient management. However, in Kenya's public health sector, especially in Homa Bay County, full EMR utilization remains limited, hindered by reliance on paper systems and frequent data loss. This study aimed to identify key socio-demographic, organizational, human, and technological factors influencing EMR use for managing HIV/AIDS information in public hospitals in Homa Bay County. Using a cross-sectional design, 198 healthcare professionals were selected via stratified random sampling. Data were collected through structured and unstructured questionnaires and analyzed using STATA version 18 and thematic analysis. Chi-square tests revealed that education level (p < .001) and staff cadre (p < .001) significantly influenced EMR use, with diploma holders and clinical staff showing higher odds of full utilization. Human factors, including continuous use (OR = 5.75, p = .005), frequency, perceived usefulness, and provider demand, were significant predictors. Organizational factors identified capacity building and support (OR = 3.35, p = .026) as the only significant influence. Technological factors, including user-friendliness, access speed, internet bandwidth, and system orientation, showed strong associations with full utilization (p < .05), while age, gender, and other structural variables were not significant. Findings highlight the critical roles of training, usability, and support systems in promoting EMR adoption in public healthcare. The study concludes that targeted capacity-building for support and data staff, addressing technological barriers through system upgrades, fostering positive attitudes via mentorship and supervision, and enforcing organizational policies and governance are essential to sustain meaningful EMR use. The study recommends targeted capacity-building for support and data staff, addressing technological barriers through system upgrades, fostering positive attitudes via mentorship and supervision, and enforcing organizational policies and governance to sustain meaningful EMR use.
Keywords: Electronic Medical Records, EMR Utilization, Human Determinants, Organizational Factors, Technological Factors, HIV/AIDS Information Management
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