Abstract:
Abstract
Background: Mobile computing system penetration has significantly influenced many areas,
including medicine. Evidence indicated that health professionals’ use of mobile devices
exponentially increased in health facilities. There are some concerns regarding mobile device use
at point of care. Assessing patients’ attitude towards mobile device use by providers during service
delivery is vital. However, as to our search of literature, there is limited evidence on it.
Objective: To assess patients’ attitude towards mobile device use by health care providers during
service delivery and associated factors at outpatient department in University of Gondar
comprehensive specialized hospital northwest Ethiopia, 2021.
Methods: An institution-based cross-sectional study supplemented with qualitative study was
conducted from May 17 to Jun 11, 2021, at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized
Hospital. Structured interview administered questionnaires and Kobo toolbox data collection tool
was used for data collection and exported to Stata version 16 statistical software for data
management and analysis. Chi-square assumptions, for variables with p-values <0.2 in bi-variable
binary logistic regression were considered to multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. In
multivariable logistic regression analysis, Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% Confidence
Interval (CI) was reported to declare the statistical significance and strength of association. Model
fitness was assessed using Hosmer-Lemeshow test. Open-ended questions were prepared and
analyzed using thematic analysis method to qualitative part.
Result: Patients’ favorable attitude towards mobile device use by providers was 52.67% (95% CI;
47.82%-57.47%). Statistical significant variables were age <30 years (AOR=4.104, 95% CI;
1.602-10.516) and between 31-40 years (AOR=3.092, 95% CI; 1.280-7.470), computer training
(AOR=2.569, 95% CI; 1.168-5.648), awareness mHealth app (AOR=2.506, 95% CI; 1.207-5.203),
feeling (AOD=1.835, 95% CI; 1.091-3.088), confidentiality (AOR=1.885, 95% CI; 1.153-3.081),
trusts (AOR=2.182, 95% CI; 1.285-3.704), and competency (AOR=0.505, 95% CI; 0.302-0.842).
Conclusion and recommendation: This study shows that more than half of respondents were
favorable to the use of mobile devices by health professionals during care. Along with statistically
significant predictors to patients’ attitude, this finding informs program personals in designing
mHealth application utilization in healthcare settings. Future studies should validate the present
findings in other care areas and across other contexts.
Keywords: Patient, attitude, mobile device
