40 International Journal of E-Planning Research, 2(2), 40-44, April-June 2013
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ABSTRACT
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions (e.g. e-health, telemedicine, e-education,
e-Planning) are often viewed as vehicles to bridge the digital divide between developed and developing
Nations, rural and urban centers, to achieve a better planning and distribution of health infrastructures and
equipments, and to resolve shortcomings in the rural health sector. This study focused on factors perceived
to influence the uptake and use of ICTs as e-health solutions in rural healthcare centres in Mbaise Imo State,
and on structural variables relating to these facilities and processes. Attention was also given to patients who
equally decide whether to go for e-health solution or to maintain the statuesque. Facilities on ground that
will enable the immediate take off of ICTs e-health solutions were accessed. Recommendations were made
with regard to how ICTs can be used more effectively to improve health systems in rural healthcare centres.
E-Health Solutions in Rural
Healthcare in the Mbaise
Area of Imo State:
Nigeria
Elochukwu Ukwandu, Department of Computer Science, Imo State University, Owerri,
Nigeria
Sylvanus Iro, Department of Geography and Environmental Management, Imo State
University, Owerri, Nigeria
Keywords: E-Health, E-Planning, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Mbaise Imo State,
Rural Healthcare
INTRODUCTION
The meaning of e-health is the use of com-
puters to store, protect, retrieve, and transfer
information electronically within health care
settings. The potentials of e-health are to reduce
medication errors; increase sharing of health
information between providers, laboratories,
pharmacies, and patients; ensure safer patient
transitions between health care settings; and
reduce duplicative and unnecessary testing, and
a more rational urban and regional distribution
of health infrastructures and equipments. Us-
ing e-health to drive improvements in health-
care will require the support of many diverse
stakeholders in the healthcare system including
practicing clinicians, policy makers, hospitals,
patients and ICT suppliers. The consideration
of e-health solutions in the context of urban and
regional e-planning can improve and turn more
DOI: 10.4018/ijepr.2013040103