Information seeking behavior on hepatitis B virus, and its associated factors among pregnant women at teaching and specialized hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection continues to be a major public health issue worldwide. Health information-seeking behavior is critical to obtain information about health, diseases such as the Hepatitis B virus, health risks, and health promotion and it has become a major concern of health policymakers. However, there is little evidence of information-seeking behavior on the Hepatitis B virus in Ethiopia. So, this study aimed to assess Hepatitis B virus information-seeking behavior and its associated factors among pregnant women at teaching and Specialized Hospitals, in Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among pregnant women at teaching and specialized hospitals, in Northwest Ethiopia from May 01 to June 01, 2022. A total of 423 participants were selected using a systematic random sampling method. The data was collected through an interview-administered questionnaire by kobo-collect software. Then export into SPSS version 20 for analysis. Descriptive statistics, bi-variable, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were done to identify factors associated with Hepatitis B virus information-seeking behavior. RESULTS: The proportion of information-seeking behavior on the Hepatitis B virus among pregnant women was 40.5% (CI = 35.7, 45.6). Education(diploma and above) [AOR = 3.3, 95% CI (1.31, 8.16)], more than one ANC visit [AOR = 5.99, 95% CI (3.20, 12.31)], smart-phone ownership [AOR = 4.1, 95%CI (1.35, 12.31)], internet access [AOR = 5.1, 95%CI (1.35, 15.60)], perceived susceptibility [AOR = 2.7, 95%CI (1.38, 5.31)], perceived severity [AOR = 3.7, 95%CI (2.06, 6.55)], and self-efficacy [AOR = 1.9, 95%CI (1.03, 3.73)] were factors influencing information seeking on Hepatitis B virus. CONCLUSION: The overall proportion of information-seeking behavior on HBV among pregnant women was low. To improve information-seeking behavior on HBV among pregnant women we should connect the women to the internet and technology. Creating women's awareness about the Hepatitis B virus severity and their venerability and increasing their antenatal care (ANC) visits, self-efficacy, internet access, and women's education can improve information seeking about the Hepatitis B virus.

Predicting healthcare professionals' acceptance towards electronic personal health record systems in a resource-limited setting: using modified technology acceptance model.

OBJECTIVES: Personal health record systems allow users to manage their health information in a confidential manner. However, there is little evidence about healthcare providers' intentions to use such technologies in resource-limited settings. Therefore, this study aimed to assess predicting healthcare providers' acceptance of electronic personal health record systems. METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 19 July to 23 August 2022 at teaching hospitals in the Amhara regional state of Ethiopia. A total of 638 health professionals participated in the study. Simple random sampling techniques were used to select the study participants. Structural equation modelling analysis was employed using AMOS V.26 software. RESULT: Perceived ease of use had a significant effect on the intention to use electronic personal health records (ß=0. 377, p<0.01), perceived usefulness (ß=0.104, p<0.05) and attitude (ß=0.204, p<0.01); perceived ease of use and information technology experience had a significant effect on perceived usefulness (ß=0.077, p<0.05); and digital literacy (ß=0.087, p<0.05) and attitude had also a strong effect on intention to use electronic personal health records (ß=0.361, p<0.01). The relationship between perceived ease of use and the intention to use was mediated by attitude (ß=0.076, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Perceived ease of use, attitude and digital literacy had a significant effect on the intention to use electronic personal health records. The perceived ease of use had a greater influence on the intention to use electronic personal health record systems. Thus, capacity building and technical support could enhance health providers' acceptance of using electronic personal health records in Ethiopia.