Patient perspectives on online medication information seeking in Uganda: a cross-sectional exploration

Nalugwa, Harima and S. Abd. Aziz, Madihah and Mahdi, Ghulam and Shah, Asadullah (2023) Patient perspectives on online medication information seeking in Uganda: a cross-sectional exploration. In: 8th IEEE International Conference on Engineering, Technologies and Sciences (ICETAS 2023), 25th - 27th October 2023, Bahrain.

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Abstract

This study explores pharmacists’ experiences and attitudes towards online medical information shared with them by their patients. A self-administered online survey questionnaire was designed and administered to 113 pharmacists within Kampala metropolitan, Uganda. The survey results highlight growth in patients’ inquiries about online acquired medication-related information from their pharmacists (n=105, 93%). Pharmacists highlighted that this online information-seeking behaviour enhances patients’ understanding of treatment. While generally, pharmacists in Uganda hold a positive attitude towards this trend, they, however, raised some concerns over the inaccuracy of online medication-related information presented to them by their patients 66 (58%), the internet promotion of unnecessary fear and worry about medication n=96 (92%), and the tendency for patients to take up more of the pharmacists’ time during their visits (n=68, 60%). Finally, this study revealed that pharmacist gender (r=0.722, t=9.078, p=0.000) and pharmacy ownership status (r=0.504, t=4.107, p=0.000) had a statistically significant relationship with pharmacists’ attitude towards patients’ acquisition of online medication-related information. Conclusively, this study shows that pharmacists in Kampala (Uganda) have a generally positive view of the online medication-related information-seeking by patients. This result suggests that technology use, specifically the Internet, in addressing healthcare needs is embraced in Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, this research contributes to the literature exploring online perceptions and attitudes towards medication related information-seeking among pharmacists.

Item Type:	Proceeding Paper (Plenary Papers)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	patients, pharmacists, online medication information seeking, attitudes.
Subjects:	T Technology > T Technology (General) > T10.5 Communication of technical information
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Information and Communication Technology Kulliyyah of Information and Communication Technology Kulliyyah of Information and Communication Technology > Department of Information System Kulliyyah of Information and Communication Technology > Department of Information System
Depositing User:	Prof Asadullah Shah
Date Deposited:	27 Dec 2023 11:52
Last Modified:	08 Feb 2024 12:22
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/109237

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