Acceptance of information communication technology-based health information services: Exploring the culture in primary-level health care of South Ethiopia, using Utaut Model, Ethnographic Study

INTRODUCTION: In sub-Saharan African countries including Ethiopia, the acceptance of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in health is at the proof-of-concept level with a few unsustainable piecemeal of pilot projects. Thus, a desirable willingness of acceptance among healthcare providers is a paramount. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eight months elapsed ethnographic study design was conducted using participant observation and key informant interviews. The data were entered on Qualitative Data Analysis mine software version 1.4. The quotes and field notes were thematized. The Unified Technology Acceptance and Use Theory (UTAUT) is validated and used to generate new meanings. RESULTS: This study highlighted the different instances of technology acceptance. Although the primary-level healthcare (PLHC) providers displayed tendencies to accept ICTs-based health information services consistent with the UTAUT dimensions such as the degree of simplicity associated with performance expectancy, use/effort expectancy, facilitating conditions, social issue, individual variation, and organization culture there are instances that disputed acceptance. For instance, the gains in data quality and reporting secondary to the use of District Health Information System Two (DHIS-II) are not influenced by acceptance. Rather PLHC providers are burnt-out of additional clerical duties of filling data on the DHIS-2. Furthermore, ICT acceptance is influenced by individual variations and the unique culture of primary level facilities such as leadership commitment. CONCLUSIONS: On this basis, we conclude that the willingness to accept ICT-based health information services at the primary level is not limited to those factors discussed in the UTAUT model.