Knowledge Attitude and Perception on the Use of Telemedicine in Obstetric Practice among Health Workers at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi

Abstract

Background: Telemedicine can bridge the manpower needs to improve obstetric practice in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aims to determine the knowledge, attitude and perception of the use of telemedicine in obstetrics practice among health workers at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Makurdi. Method: This was a convergent parallel mixed-method design. This consist of a cross-sectional study among 210 health workers and a focused group discussion of 10 obstetricians at the FMC Makurdi. A self-administered online questionnaire (google form) and interviewer guide were used for data collection. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 and NVivo version 12 were used to analyse data and presented in tables, charts and textual forms. Result: Out of the 210 respondents, 44.3% were between age 32-41years, 66.7% were female, 83.8% had tertiary education and 63.8% were Nurses. The respondents demonstrated high level of knowledge (73.3%) and utilization (88.1%) of telemedicine. A majority (>80%) of the respondents agreed that telemedicine can be used to improve obstetric practice in LMICs in areas such as E-learning, health education, prenatal care, referrals, research, increase access to obstetric care, and to improve collaborations among specialists. Information and communications technology (ICT) illiteracy, lack of awareness, high set-up cost and maintenance were the factors limiting the use of telemedicine. Conclusion: The good knowledge of telemedicine shown by the respondents can be used to improve obstetric practice and therefore reduce maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in LMICs. Background: Telemedicine can bridge the manpower needs to improve obstetric practice in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aims to determine the knowledge, attitude and perception of the use of telemedicine in obstetrics practice among health workers at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Makurdi. Method: This was a convergent parallel mixed-method design. This consist of a cross-sectional study among 210 health workers and a focused group discussion of 10 obstetricians at the FMC Makurdi. A self-administered online questionnaire (google form) and interviewer guide were used for data collection. Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 and NVivo version 12 were used to analyse data and presented in tables, charts and textual forms. Result: Out of the 210 respondents, 44.3% were between age 32-41years, 66.7% were female, 83.8% had tertiary education and 63.8% were Nurses. The respondents demonstrated high level of knowledge (73.3%) and utilization (88.1%) of telemedicine. A majority (>80%) of the respondents agreed that telemedicine can be used to improve obstetric practice in LMICs in areas such as E-learning, health education, prenatal care, referrals, research, increase access to obstetric care, and to improve collaborations among specialists. Information and communications technology (ICT) illiteracy, lack of awareness, high set-up cost and maintenance were the factors limiting the use of telemedicine. Conclusion: The good knowledge of telemedicine shown by the respondents can be used to improve obstetric practice and therefore reduce maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality in LMICs.