The determinants of digital health technology utilization among health workers at selected general hospitals in rural Uganda
1
Department of Health Policy Planning and Management, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A933
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Digital health technologies (DHTs) are increasingly being adopted to improve efficiency, effectiveness, quality of care and access to health services. However, there is a paucity of data on the determinants of DHTs utilization among health workers in rural settings in sub-Saharan Africa. We, therefore, set out to examine the determinants of DHT utilization among health workers at selected general hospitals in Uganda.
METHODS:
We conducted a cross-sectional study at five purposively selected general hospitals in Uganda between 29th September -24th October 2025. 2025. Their social demographics were taken, and they rated their utilization of DHTs (1-very poor-10-very good), their perceived professional support, autonomy and workload. Data were collected using REDCap and analyzed in Stata 17. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify factors associated with DHT utilization.
RESULTS:
A total of 596 health workers participated; 60.9% were female, with a median age was 30 years (IQR: 17). The mean self-rated DHT utilization score was 6.5 (SD: 2.3). Utilization was significantly lower among health workers aged over 50 years (β = −1.04; 95% CI: −1.60 to −0.47; p < 0.001), males (β = −0.57; 95% CI: −1.00 to −0.15; p = 0.008), and those reporting heavy workloads (β = −0.52; 95% CI: −0.98 to −0.05, p = 0.028). Higher utilization was associated with greater perceived professional support (β = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.29; p < 0.001), autonomy (β = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.23; p = 0.029), and access to internet services (β = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.52 to 1.03; p = 0.030).
CONCLUSIONS:
Therefore, when developing or scaling up DHTs, it is vital that you consider the age of the intended user, their perceived workload or how the technology will affect their workload, the internet access and the support structure (how will they receive continuous support).
Digital health technologies (DHTs) are increasingly being adopted to improve efficiency, effectiveness, quality of care and access to health services. However, there is a paucity of data on the determinants of DHTs utilization among health workers in rural settings in sub-Saharan Africa. We, therefore, set out to examine the determinants of DHT utilization among health workers at selected general hospitals in Uganda.
METHODS:
We conducted a cross-sectional study at five purposively selected general hospitals in Uganda between 29th September -24th October 2025. 2025. Their social demographics were taken, and they rated their utilization of DHTs (1-very poor-10-very good), their perceived professional support, autonomy and workload. Data were collected using REDCap and analyzed in Stata 17. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify factors associated with DHT utilization.
RESULTS:
A total of 596 health workers participated; 60.9% were female, with a median age was 30 years (IQR: 17). The mean self-rated DHT utilization score was 6.5 (SD: 2.3). Utilization was significantly lower among health workers aged over 50 years (β = −1.04; 95% CI: −1.60 to −0.47; p < 0.001), males (β = −0.57; 95% CI: −1.00 to −0.15; p = 0.008), and those reporting heavy workloads (β = −0.52; 95% CI: −0.98 to −0.05, p = 0.028). Higher utilization was associated with greater perceived professional support (β = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.29; p < 0.001), autonomy (β = 0.12; 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.23; p = 0.029), and access to internet services (β = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.52 to 1.03; p = 0.030).
CONCLUSIONS:
Therefore, when developing or scaling up DHTs, it is vital that you consider the age of the intended user, their perceived workload or how the technology will affect their workload, the internet access and the support structure (how will they receive continuous support).
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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