DETERMINANTS OF ICT UTILIZATION AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN SELECTED TERTIARY HOSPITALS IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

The integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into healthcare delivery has emerged as a critical strategy for improving service efficiency, accuracy, accessibility, and patient satisfaction globally. However, in Nigeria, particularly in the North Central Zone, the adoption and utilization of ICT in tertiary hospitals remain suboptimal. This study examined the determinants of ICT utilization among healthcare professionals in selected tertiary hospitals in Plateau, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was employed, utilizing a mixed-methods approach involving 384 healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, pharmacists, and health information managers) selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and semi-structured interview guides. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent and one sample tests were analysis, while qualitative data were thematically analysed. The findings revealed that ICT availability was generally low (mean = 2.41 ± 0.87), with only 37.2% of hospitals having functional electronic health records systems. ICT accessibility was moderate (mean = 3.02 ± 0.76), with significant disparities between urban and rural facilities. Utilization of ICT was low (mean = 2.68 ± 0.81), with most healthcare professionals using basic ICT tools such as smartphones and messaging applications rather than specialized health information systems. A significant positive relationship was found between ICT utilization and patient satisfaction (r = 0.542, p < 0.001). The major determinants of ICT utilization were ICT infrastructure (β = 0.342, p < 0.001), digital literacy (β = 0.298, p < 0.001), management support (β = 0.251, p < 0.001), and organizational culture (β = 0.187, p = 0.002). Key challenges identified included inadequate infrastructure (78.1%), insufficient funding (72.4%), lack of technical support (68.5%), low digital literacy among older staff (65.3%), and absence of clear ICT policies (62.8%). The utilization of ICT in tertiary hospitals in North Central Nigeria is constrained by multiple interrelated factors, including infrastructural deficits, human capacity gaps, and weak policy frameworks. Addressing these determinants requires a comprehensive approach that integrates infrastructure development, capacity building, and strategic policy implementation to harness the full potential of digital health transformation in the region.