Abstract:
ABSTRACT
Background: mHealth applications are software that can enable users to search for
information about specific diseases, manage diseases, and track their health.
Delivering effective primary healthcare services in developing countries is challenging
due to the lack of trained health professionals and the use of outdated and inconsistent
clinical guidelines.
Objective: This study aims to assess the utilization of mobile app-based primary
Health care clinical guidelines and associated factors among Health Professionals in
central Gondar Health Centers, North West Ethiopia, 2022
METHODS: An institution-based mixed method study design was conducted from May
19 to June 21, 2022, at health centers in central Gondar. A simple random sampling
technique was used to select participants for the quantitative part. Data was collected
using a structured questionnaire. Data entry and analysis were done using Epidata
version.4.6 and Stata version.14 respectively. Binary and multivariable logistic
regression analysis was performed and P<0.05 with a 95% CI, was considered to
measure statistically significant variables. Participants in the qualitative study were
chosen purposively, and Open Code v.4.2 was used for the thematic analysis.
Results A total of 403 participants were approached yielding a response rate of 93%. Of
these, 28%
Conclusion: Utilization of mobile app-based primary health care clinical guidelines by
healthcare professionals was low. Knowledge, attitude, previous use m-health app, and
perceived ease of use were found to be significantly associated with the utilization of the
app. Therefore, providing training for health professionals, as well as monitoring and
supervision would be improve the utilizations.
Keywords: utilization, mobile app-based clinical guidelines, Ethiopia
