Vol. 6, No. 8, August 2015 ISSN 2079-8407 Journal of Emerging Trends in Computing and Information Sciences ©2009-2015 CIS Journal. All rights reserved. http://www.cisjournal.org 421 Cloud Computing Information Sharing Capability Influence on Quality of Healthcare Management of Chronic Diseases 1 Munene David, 2 Macharia Jimmy 1 Systems Administrator, Kenya Methodist University, Nairobi, Kenya 2 Assoc. Prof. of Information Systems & Technology, United States International University, Nairobi, Kenya ABSTRACT Over the decades the management of healthcare has been an increasing burden on individuals as well as governments across the globe. Prior research has shown that chronic diseases account for 60 percent of all deaths worldwide. Besides the health consequences, long term costs associated with the treatment of chronic ailments and their negative effects on productivity are taking devastating tolls on the economic situations of individuals, families and countries. Consequently, research on improving the management of chronic diseases has been a top priority agenda for governments, researchers, and practitioners. This paper aims to contribute to this agenda by proposing that cloud computing can play a significant role in improving the management of chronic diseases. The study used a descriptive approach with a questionnaire-based survey which was used to collect data from 10 hospitals in Nairobi and its environments. The target population was doctors and management staff of the hospitals. Purposeful sampling plan was deployed where a sample of 10 doctors and 10 management staff from each hospital were selected. Within each hospital random sampling of 10 participants from the doctor’s strata and 10 management staff was conducted. Relevant hypotheses were derived and tested by linear regression analysis. The findings revealed that sharing of information using cloud computing has a significant effect on the access to healthcare in the management of chronic diseases. The research was conducted in 10 hospitals of Nairobi which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Practical implications– The findings offer healthcare providers, medics and healthcare professionals with a better understanding of what contribution information sharing using cloud computing brings to the improvement of access to healthcare and particularly the management of chronic diseases. The research contributes to the application of new technology cloud computing in the healthcare industry through the use of information sharing to improve access and quality of the management of chronic diseases. The findings also help Healthcare facilities consider their cloud computing technologies usage when aiming to improve access and quality of their disease management using cloud computing. Keywords: Cloud computing, healthcare, Chronic Diseases, Management, Disease, Nairobi 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Enigma of Chronic Diseases Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being hence not merely the absence of disease or infirmity [1]. The health of a people is fundamental to the attainment of peace and security and is dependent upon the fullest co-operation of individuals and states hence the enjoyment of the highest attainable standards of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being. Chronic disease is a long-lasting condition that can be controlled but not cured [2]. Chronic diseases are on the rise in the country and are a leading cause of morbidity and disability. In 2005, an estimated 35 million people worldwide died from chronic diseases; this is double the number of deaths from all infectious diseases. A while back, road accidents, malaria and hygiene related illnesses topped the charts but now the likes of HIV/AIDS, diabetes, hypertension, chronic breathing conditions and cancer have taken over. Chronic diseases are responsible for up to 50% of disease burden in many developing countries [2]. The global status report by [2] on non- communicable diseases indicates that chronic diseases are the leading cause of death globally, killing more people each year than all other causes combined. Statistical information shows that nearly 80% of NCD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries and much of the human and social impacts caused each year by these diseases could be averted through well-understood, cost- effective and feasible interventions [3]. Chronic conditions like cancer, diabetes, mental disorders, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases account for 36 out of the 57 million deaths annually. These diseases are mainly caused by four behavioral risk factors that are pervasive aspects of economic transition, rapid urbanization and 21st-century lifestyles: tobacco misuse, unhealthy diet, insufficient physical activity and the harmful use of alcohol. A sad fact is that they are the most significant causes of illness and death of the working age populations in developing countries and worse still, financing the prevention and treatment of NCDs accounts for less than 1% of official development assistance (ODA) for health [3] According to Stuart [4], the enormous burden currently posed by chronic diseases is in low-resource countries and the realistic prospect that this burden will continue to increase, provides compelling reasons to rapidly address chronic illnesses from both a public health perspective and the impact on individual lives. The prevalence of chronic disease has significant implications 1 nesh8279@gmail.com , 2 kmacharia@usiu.ac.ke