Browsing by Author "Ndemi, Caroline Kabura"

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    Uptake of Electronic Medical Record System by Health Workers in Selected Public Hospitals in Kiambu County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2025-05) Ndemi, Caroline Kabura
    Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) are transforming healthcare delivery globally, yet implementation in resource-constrained settings faces significant challenges. In Kiambu County, Kenya, despite substantial telecommunications infrastructure (98% mobile coverage), EMR utilization remains fragmented across healthcare facilities, with many continuing to rely predominantly on paper-based documentation. This study aimed to establish the uptake of electronic medical record systems among healthcare workers in Kiambu County. Specifically, the study sought to determine the level of uptake of the Electronic Medical Record system among health workers in Kiambu County; establish the individual characteristics influencing its uptake; examine the technological factors affecting adoption; and analyse the organizational factors contributing to its use among health workers in the county. The research was anchored in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), which explain how perceived usefulness, ease of use, facilitating conditions, and performance expectancy determine technology adoption behaviours. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed using quantitative and qualitative methods. The study targeted 2,703 healthcare workers in Kiambu County public facilities. Using Fisher's formula and proportionate sampling, 370 participants were selected, with 359 responding (97% response rate). Data was collected using structured questionnaires and analysed through descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression. The study found 88% of healthcare workers using EMRS despite 68.4% reporting systems did not save time. Healthcare workers who perceived patient information as secure were 3.6 times more likely to utilize EMRS (p=0.005). System performance significantly influenced adoption, with respondents reporting "very good" retrieval speeds three times more likely to use EMRS (OR=2.513; p=0.012). System usability similarly impacted adoption, with users finding systems easy to use being nearly four times more likely to utilize electronic documentation (OR=3.802; p=0.014). Regular system maintenance was significantly associated with higher utilization rates (p=0.024), while demographic characteristics showed no significant relationships with adoption (all p>0.05). The study concludes that while EMRS adoption among health workers in Kiambu County is notably high, this uptake is largely driven by organizational mandates. Technological performance and ongoing system maintenance emerged as critical enablers of meaningful use, while demographic factors played a minimal role. The findings underscore the need to prioritize user-centred design, targeted training, and responsive technical support to transform formal adoption into effective utilization. Addressing infrastructure and usability challenges is essential for sustaining and scaling EMRS implementation in similar settings.