A Mixed Methods Study of the Challenges and Prospects of Utilizing Telemedicine in the Delivery of Healthcare to Nigerian Children.

IF 2.6 3区医学 Q2 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

International Journal of Public Health Pub Date : 2025-06-19 eCollection Date: 2025-01-01 DOI:10.3389/ijph.2025.1607790

Igoche David Peter, Kuyet Jemimah Danjuma-Karau, Ejemeirele M Omokhuale, Joel Cherima Yakubu

{"title":"A Mixed Methods Study of the Challenges and Prospects of Utilizing Telemedicine in the Delivery of Healthcare to Nigerian Children.","authors":"Igoche David Peter, Kuyet Jemimah Danjuma-Karau, Ejemeirele M Omokhuale, Joel Cherima Yakubu","doi":"10.3389/ijph.2025.1607790","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"Objectives: In Nigeria, telemedicine is underutilized despite unacceptable age-related childhood mortality indices. This study identifies the barriers, prospects, and benefits of telemedicine utilization in paediatric care in Nigeria.Methods: A convergent parallel approach of mixed methods design. Electronic questionnaires were used to obtain data from 57 and 50 mothers in an urban and a rural healthcare facility, respectively, in Abuja, Nigeria. Audio-recorded semi structured in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants, including a paediatrician, an ICT expert, and a matron. The qualitative data were analyzed via an inductive thematic analysis.Results: Telemedicine awareness was greater among urban respondents (p < 0.000). It was seen as inferior to physical consultation, and lack of awareness, cost of service, with resource constraints were barriers to utilization. Respondents unaware of telemedicine were 0.27 times less willing to pay for the services (p = 0.017). Themes generated include resource constraints, standard operating procedures, and possible advantages.Conclusion: Telemedicine is beneficial in terms of patient convenience and physical workspace decongestion. Public awareness and resource availability will enhance telemedicine utilization in paediatric care.","PeriodicalId":14322,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Public Health","volume":"70 ","pages":"1607790"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6000,"publicationDate":"2025-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12223401/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Journal of Public Health","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2025.1607790","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2025/1/1 0:00:00","PubModel":"eCollection","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives: In Nigeria, telemedicine is underutilized despite unacceptable age-related childhood mortality indices. This study identifies the barriers, prospects, and benefits of telemedicine utilization in paediatric care in Nigeria.

Methods: A convergent parallel approach of mixed methods design. Electronic questionnaires were used to obtain data from 57 and 50 mothers in an urban and a rural healthcare facility, respectively, in Abuja, Nigeria. Audio-recorded semi structured in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants, including a paediatrician, an ICT expert, and a matron. The qualitative data were analyzed via an inductive thematic analysis.

Results: Telemedicine awareness was greater among urban respondents (p < 0.000). It was seen as inferior to physical consultation, and lack of awareness, cost of service, with resource constraints were barriers to utilization. Respondents unaware of telemedicine were 0.27 times less willing to pay for the services (p = 0.017). Themes generated include resource constraints, standard operating procedures, and possible advantages.

Conclusion: Telemedicine is beneficial in terms of patient convenience and physical workspace decongestion. Public awareness and resource availability will enhance telemedicine utilization in paediatric care.

查看原文本刊更多论文

利用远程医疗向尼日利亚儿童提供保健服务的挑战和前景的混合方法研究。

目标：在尼日利亚，尽管与年龄有关的儿童死亡率指数令人无法接受，但远程医疗没有得到充分利用。本研究确定了尼日利亚在儿科护理中使用远程医疗的障碍、前景和益处。方法：采用收敛并行方法进行混合方法设计。使用电子问卷分别从尼日利亚阿布贾的一个城市医疗机构和一个农村医疗机构的57名和50名母亲那里获得数据。对主要线人，包括一名儿科医生、一名信通技术专家和一名护士长，进行了录音录制的半结构化深度访谈。通过归纳主题分析对定性数据进行分析。结果：城市受访者的远程医疗意识较高（p < 0.000）。它被认为不如实际咨询，缺乏认识、服务费用高、资源有限是利用的障碍。不了解远程医疗的受访者支付服务费用的意愿低0.27倍（p = 0.017）。生成的主题包括资源限制、标准操作程序和可能的优势。结论：远程医疗对患者的便利性和物理工作空间的疏解是有益的。公众意识和可用资源将加强远程医疗在儿科护理中的利用。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊

International Journal of Public Health 医学-公共卫生、环境卫生与职业卫生

CiteScore

4.20

自引率

2.20%

发文量

269

审稿时长

12 months

期刊介绍： The International Journal of Public Health publishes scientific articles relevant to global public health, from different countries and cultures, and assembles them into issues that raise awareness and understanding of public health problems and solutions. The Journal welcomes submissions of original research, critical and relevant reviews, methodological papers and manuscripts that emphasize theoretical content. IJPH sometimes publishes commentaries and opinions. Special issues highlight key areas of current research. The Editorial Board''s mission is to provide a thoughtful forum for contemporary issues and challenges in global public health research and practice.