Information and communication technology skills among Health Information Management practitioners in Jigawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) plays a crucial role in improving healthcare service delivery and health information management. Health Information Management (HIM) practitioners are expected to demonstrate high proficiency in ICT to ensure effective health data processing and dissemination. This study assessed ICT skills among HIM practitioners in Jigawa State, Nigeria, focusing on their level of competence, frequency of ICT use and factors influencing proficiency. Design/Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed among HIM practitioners across healthcare institutions in Jigawa State. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 100 practitioners and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (t-tests and one-way ANOVA) were used to summarize and test hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level. Results: Findings revealed high ICT proficiency among participants in tools such as electronic medical records (EMR), health information systems (HIS) and spreadsheet software. The t-test and ANOVA results showed no significant differences in ICT proficiency by gender, education or years of experience (p > 0.05). This indicates a uniformly distributed ICT skill level among HIM practitioners in the study area. Conclusion: Health Information Management practitioners in Jigawa State exhibit strong ICT competencies. Continuous training, access to digital resources and policy reinforcement are recommended to sustain and enhance these skills.