African Dietetics Practice | 23 October 2005

Digital Health Records Adoption in Nigerian Primary Care Settings: A Pilot Study on Privacy Concerns and Implementation Rates

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Abstract

Digital health records (DHRs) have shown promise in improving healthcare delivery, but adoption rates vary across different settings and populations. In Nigeria, primary care facilities face unique challenges related to technology infrastructure and user privacy concerns. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including qualitative interviews (\(n=15)\) to explore privacy concerns and quantitative surveys (\(n=200)\) to assess initial adoption rates. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Initial survey results indicated that while 65% of respondents expressed willingness to adopt the system, significant concerns remained regarding data security and confidentiality. The findings suggest a need for clear communication strategies and enhanced privacy protections in the design of DHR systems for Nigerian primary care environments. Facilities should prioritise user education on privacy features and implement robust cybersecurity measures to foster adoption and address concerns.