Acceptance of Electronic Medical Records and Associated Factors Among Health Care Workers in Northwest Ethiopia - Cross-Sectional Study

Sep 30, 2026

Electronic medical records (EMRs) are presented as essential for strengthening health systems through improved efficiency, data management, and patient care, yet EMR development in Ethiopia remains early, leaving many facilities dependent on paper records that contribute to errors and delays. This cross-sectional study assessed EMR acceptance and analyzed associated factors among 322 health workers across five EMR-implementing facilities in Bahir City, Northwestern Ethiopia. Acceptance was 73%, and predictors included longer work experience, computer ownership, targeted EMR or electronic health management/DHIS2 training, income dissatisfaction, and system usability.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Background and rationale

Technology Acceptance Model and acceptance determinants

Methods

Study design and setting

Participants and data analysis

Results

Level of EMR acceptance

Factors associated with acceptance

Conclusions

Implications and recommendations

JMIR MEDICAL INFORMATICS Tsehay & Matlhaba Original Paper Acceptance of Electronic Medical Records and Associated Factors Among Health Care Workers in Northwest Ethiopia: Cross-Sectional Study | Asmamaw Ketemaw Tsehay1,2*, PhD; Kholofelo Lorraine Matlhaba2*, PhD | | --- | | 1College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia 2University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
*all authors contributed equally
Corresponding Author:
Asmamaw Ketemaw Tsehay, PhD College of Medicine and Health Sciences Bahir Dar University
SPH FelegeHiwot Campus Bahir Dar, 79
Ethiopia
Phone: 251 913071149
Email: [18033342@mylife.unisa.ac.za](18033342@mylife.unisa.ac.za)
Abstract | | Background: Although electronic medical records (EMRs) play a vital role in strengthening the health care system by improving efficiency, data management, and patient care, their development in Ethiopia is still in its early stages. Hence, most public healthcare facilities manage their patient information using paper-based recording, which results in errors, delays, and reduced service quality.
Objective: This study aims to determine the level of acceptance of the EMR system and describe contributing factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at health care facilities in Bahir City, Northwestern Ethiopia. A total of 322 health workers participated in the study, drawn from 5 health facilities that have implemented the EMR system. Descriptive statistics and bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression were done to determine factors associated with EMR acceptance computed from mediating factors (perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness), and which is more appropriate in early-stage implementation.
Results: Out of the total 322 respondents, 256 (73%) respondents with 95% CI 67.4-78.2 had a good acceptance of using EMRs. In regression analysis, significant predictors including work experience over 10 years (odds ratio [OR] 14.32, 95% CI 4.60-44.58), income dissatisfaction (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.10-0.82), owning a personal computer (OR 11.08, 95% CI 4.03-30.24), EMR-specific training (OR 4.71, 95% CI 1.52-14.54), basic electronic health management information system/district health information system 2 training (OR 3.06, 95% CI 1.02-9.17), and system usability (OR 38.24, 95% CI 12.26-119.27) were identified.
Conclusions: The study demonstrated a moderate level of EMR acceptance among health care workers, with system usability identified as the strongest predictor. Significant factors influencing EMR acceptance included longer work experience, ownership of a personal computer, and prior EMR or electronic health management information system/district health information system 2 training. Context-specific strategies are needed to enhance system usability, provide targeted digital health training, and improve access to technological resources in order to support broader EMR adoption in health care settings.
(JMIR Med Inform 2025;13:e72030) doi: 10.2196/72030 | KEYWORDS electronic medical records; health care workers; implementation; northwest Ethiopia; perceived ease of use [https://medinform.jmir.org/2025/1/e72030](https://medinform.jmir.org/2025/1/e72030) XSL• FO RenderX JMIR Med Inform 2025 | vol. 13 | e72030 | p. 1 (page number not for citation purposes) JMIR MEDICAL INFORMATICS Tsehay & Matlhaba Introduction The acceptance and effective use of electronic medical records (EMRs) has become a cornerstone of digital health transformation globally, offering the promise of improved care quality, safety, and efficiency [1] . However, there are many aspects that limit the wider adoption of EMRs in sub-Saharan Africa. These include high procurement and maintenance constraints to introduce the EMRs, lack of incentives for implementation, lack of concern to prioritize, electric power shortage, absence of internet, health professionals’ inadequate computer skills, and a

FAQs

What was the objective of the cross-sectional study?

To determine the level of acceptance of the EMR system and describe factors associated with EMR acceptance among health care workers.

Where and how was the study conducted?

The study was conducted at health care facilities in Bahir City, Northwestern Ethiopia, involving 322 health workers from five facilities that had implemented the EMR system.

Which factors were identified as significant predictors of EMR acceptance?

Significant predictors included work experience over 10 years, owning a personal computer, EMR-specific training, DHIS2/electronic health management training, system usability, and income dissatisfaction.

Sep 30, 2026

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