Digital Health Adoption and Performance of Healthcare Services in Akure Metropolis, Ondo State, Nigeria

Opeyemi Tawakalit Emmanuel-Ajayi; Olutoye Ade Aladejebi

doi:doi:10.11648/j.es.20251004.11

Research Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

Digital Health Adoption and Performance of Healthcare Services in Akure Metropolis, Ondo State, Nigeria

Opeyemi Tawakalit Emmanuel-Ajayi^*

, Olutoye Ade Aladejebi

Published in Engineering Science (Volume 10, Issue 4)

Received: 10 August 2025 Accepted: 18 August 2025 Published: 17 December 2025

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

This study assessed digital health adoption and performance of healthcare services in Akure Metropolis, Ondo State, Nigeria, where there is an acute underutilization of the accessible technological tools. A survey research method was employed, enabling the collection of pertinent data from healthcare workers and patients attending the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, the largest healthcare facility in Akure metropolis, through questionnaire administration. The data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The formulated hypotheses were tested with the use of test statistics, while Pearson product-moment correlation and factor analysis were used to test the level of relationship between the variables. The results identify the moderate application of SMS-based medication reminders and health education, as 63.5 per cent of the respondents stated that the cost of implementing and maintaining digital health technologies has a serious influence on the capacity of hospitals to provide quality care. Also, 63.0 per cent of the sampled population admitted that government policies and regulations are important in determining the reception of digital health. The research indicates low use of integrated Hospital Information Systems (HIS) and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) as well as automated billing, with 44.5 per cent of the respondents disagreeing with the statement that the training of healthcare professionals has a positive effect on service delivery. The regression model indicates that the two most significant independent contributors of digital health adoption are operation effectiveness and infrastructure readiness, and that operation effectiveness operated significantly and positively (beta = 0.757, p = 0.000). Conversely, policy, cost, and user readiness variables exerted a rather low effect, indicating that the development of digital health adoption rates should be directed to the improvement of operating systems, infrastructure, and the removal of organisational constraints. The study revealed that the healthcare system in Akure is technologically evolving, yet demonstrably capable of realising sizeable performance gains, where even limited digital tools are embedded.

Published in	Engineering Science (Volume 10, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.es.20251004.11
Page(s)	104-117
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Digital Health, Healthcare, Health Performance, Healthcare Services, Technology, Health Adoption, Nigeria

References

[1]	Lupton, D. (2020). Digital health: Critical and cross-disciplinary perspectives. SAGE Publications.
[2]	World Health Organization. Global strategy on digital health 2020–2025. Geneva: WHO; 2021.
[3]	Fadahunsi, O. A., Akinlua, J. M., OConnor, S. A., Wark, P. A., Gallagher, T., Carroll, M., Majeed, A., ODonoghue, S. (2023). mHealth apps in Nigeria: Maternal care, chronic diseases, and reproductive health. Journal of Public Health in Africa, 14(2), 75-83.
[4]	El Benny, M., Kabakian-Khasholian, T., El-Jardali, F., & Bardus, M. (2021). Application of the eHealth Literacy Model in Digital Health Interventions: Scoping Review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(6), e23473. https://doi.org/10.2196/23473
[5]	Caroline, A., Coun, M. J. H., Gunawan, A., & Stoffers, J. (2024). A systematic literature review on digital literacy, employability, and innovative work behavior: Emphasizing the contextual approaches in HRM research. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1448555
[6]	Nouri, S. S., Rashed, Z. A., & Hassan, K. (2020). Obstacles to the use of digital health in low- resource contexts. Global Health Action, 13(1), 1785653.
[7]	Konttila, J., Siira, H., Kyngäs, H., et al. (2019). Healthcare professionals’ competence in digitalisation: a systematic review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 28(5-6), 745–761. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14710
[8]	Alotaibi, N., Abed, A., & Lee, S. (2023). Satisfaction and perception of digital health monitoring tools in patients: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 103, 118-123.
[9]	Kinnunen, P., Hietala, S., & Niemi, S. (2022). Digital health literacy of health workers: A qualitative study. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 22(1): 35-45.
[10]	Alam, A., Sutherland, M., and Stone, D. (2024). The attitude of healthcare professionals regarding the use of digital health. Journal of Digital Health, 25(2), 112-120.
[11]	Thornton, N., Horton, T., Hardie, T., & Coxon, C. (2023). Exploring Public Attitudes Towards the Use of Digital Health Technologies and Data. Health Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.health.org.uk/reports-and-analysis/briefings/exploring-public-attitudes-towards-the-use-of-digital-health-technologies-and-data on July 10, 2025
[12]	Zhang, Y., X., He, and Xu, B. (2023). The effects of digital literacy on the use of mobile health applications: Research in underserved regions. Journal of Health Communication, 28(1), 34-45
[13]	Omachonu, V. K., & Einspruch, N. G. (2010). Innovation in healthcare delivery systems: A conceptual framework. The Innovation Journal: The Public Sector Innovation Journal, 15(1), Article 2, 1–20.
[14]	Finkelstein, J., Reiss, A., Greenwald, S. (2019). Patient-centered care and its effects on healthcare outcomes: A systematic review. Healthcare Management Review, 44(4), 38-45.
[15]	Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319-340. https://doi.org/10.2307/249008
[16]	Venkatesh, V., & Davis, F. D. (2000). Theoretical extension of the technology acceptance model: Four longitudinal field studies. Management Science, 46(2), 186-204. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.46.2.186.11926
[17]	Aljarboa, S., & Miah, S. J. (2021). Acceptance of clinical decision support systems in Saudi healthcare organisations: Integrating UTAUT with Task–Technology Fit. Information Development, 39(4), 86–106. https://doi.org/10.1177/02666669211025076
[18]	Alharbi, S. S., Alsaeed, M. I., and Lulua, M. E. (2020). The role of technology acceptance model in mHealth adoption: A scoping review. Journal of Health Informatics, 30(4), 299-308.
[19]	At, A. S., Grønli, T.-M., & Ghinea, G. (2024, March 17). Technological utilization in remote healthcare: Factors influencing healthcare professionals' adoption and use [Preprint]. arXiv.
[20]	Khundkar, S. S., Baghaei, N., & Sarkar, B. (2022) Financial and socio technical barriers to telehealth adoption in resource limited settings: A mixed methods study. Health Informatics Journal, 28(2), 1469–1485.
[21]	Kushniruk, A., Borycki, E., Kannry, J. (2020). The influence of government rules and policies on the adoption of digital health. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(6), e17247. https://doi.org/10.2196/17247
[22]	Rogers, E. M., Masvidal, M., Merritt, D. H., & Larson, C. (2020). Barriers to telehealth in rural communities: A cultural and contextual analysis. Journal of Rural Health, 36(4), 524–533. https://doi.org/10.1111/jrh.12373
[23]	Pereira, L., McMullen, S., & Shapiro, M. (2022). Digital health wearable devices: A systematic review. Journal of Digital Health, 9(1), 12-19.
[24]	Gupta, R., Singh, P., and Kumar, S. (2021). Telemedicine as a means of healthcare access in remote locations: A review. Journal of Rural Health, 37(3), 362-369.
[25]	Yamane, T. (1967). Statistics: An introductory analysis (2nd ed.). New York: Harper & Row.
[26]	Källander, K., Tibenderana, J. K., & Jumbam, M. (2013). Mobile health technologies in sub- Saharan Africa: Evidence review and case study of SMS-based reminders to health interventions. Global Health Action, 6, 19287. https://doi.org/10.3402/gha.v6i0.19287
[27]	Akanbi, M. O., Afolabi, A. A., and Adeoye, O. M. (2012). Obstacles to adoption of integrated Hospital Information Systems in Nigeria. International Journal of Health Information Systems and Informatics, 6(3), 14-27. https://doi.org/10.4018/jhisi.2012070102
[28]	Afolaranmi, S. O., Omotosho, B. A., & Odekunle, E. A. (2021). Healthcare: Review of digitization challenges of laboratory and administrative processes in Nigeria. Journal of Healthcare Management and Policy, 38(2), 115-130.
[29]	Odekunle, E. A. Akanbi, M. O. and Afolabi, A. A. (2017). The implementation of digital health technology in the provision of healthcare in Nigeria: Barriers and improvement strategies. International Journal of Healthcare Information Systems and Informatics, 11(2), 45-61.
[30]	Omotosho, B. A., Afolaranmi, S. O., Olatunji, O. A. (2019). The problem of financial management in Nigerian hospitals: A study of the application of digital solutions. International Journal of Health Care Finance and Economics, 19(2), 121-135.
[31]	Babalola, O. E., Alabi, M. M., Oyebanji, M. A. (2021). The opportunities and issues of telemedicine in healthcare provision in Akure, Nigeria. Health Informatics Journal, 27(3), 1456-1468, https://doi.org/10.1177/14604582211005477
[32]	Alabi, M. M., Babalola, O. E., and Adebayo, M. A. (2020). Telemedicine in Nigeria: Challenges, adoption and future. Telemedicine and e-Health, 26(12), 1607-1614. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2020.0228
[33]	Wahl, B., Cossy-Gantner, A., Germann, S., & Schwalbe, N. R. (2018). Artificial intelligence (AI) and global health: How can AI contribute to health in resource-poor settings? BMJ Global Health, 3(4), e000798. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2018-000798
[34]	Tavares, A. I., & Oliveira, T. (2016). The determinants of the e-health technology adoption. Journal of Health Economics 45, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhealeco.2016.02.004
[35]	Maheshwari, S., Gaur, N., & Agarwal, A. (2020). Factors affecting the use of e-health services in India: Results of a national survey. Journal of Medical Systems, 44(4), 106.
[36]	Hoque, M. R., Ahmed, J., & Huq, M. (2016). Digital health dual-infrastructure problems: Bandwidth and staff resistance to adoption. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 93, 60-67.
[37]	Kiberu, V. M., Matovu, J. K. B., and Kiggundu, R. (2018). Issues of electronic medical records systems implementation in the district hospitals in Uganda: A case study. Journal of Health Informatics in Africa, 5(1), 45-57.
[38]	Boonstra, A., & Broekhuis, M. (2010). The obstacles to the acceptance of electronic medical records by physicians are systematic review to multi-level model. BMC Health Services Research 10, 231. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6963-10-231
[39]	Farlow, J. P., Ziegler, D., & Bryant, J. (2023). Effect of systematic upskilling on EMRs use in Chilean hospitals: A longitudinal study. Journal of Health Information Technology, 11(4), 201-212.
[40]	Rogers, E. M., & Singhal, A. (2017). Health communication and diffusion of innovations. Health Communication Research Journal, 32(3), 17-35.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Emmanuel-Ajayi, O. T., Aladejebi, O. A. (2025). Digital Health Adoption and Performance of Healthcare Services in Akure Metropolis, Ondo State, Nigeria. Engineering Science, 10(4), 104-117. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.es.20251004.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Emmanuel-Ajayi, O. T.; Aladejebi, O. A. Digital Health Adoption and Performance of Healthcare Services in Akure Metropolis, Ondo State, Nigeria. Eng. Sci. 2025, 10(4), 104-117. doi: 10.11648/j.es.20251004.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Emmanuel-Ajayi OT, Aladejebi OA. Digital Health Adoption and Performance of Healthcare Services in Akure Metropolis, Ondo State, Nigeria. Eng Sci. 2025;10(4):104-117. doi: 10.11648/j.es.20251004.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.es.20251004.11,
  author = {Opeyemi Tawakalit Emmanuel-Ajayi and Olutoye Ade Aladejebi},
  title = {Digital Health Adoption and Performance of Healthcare Services in Akure Metropolis, Ondo State, Nigeria},
  journal = {Engineering Science},
  volume = {10},
  number = {4},
  pages = {104-117},
  doi = {10.11648/j.es.20251004.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.es.20251004.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.es.20251004.11},
  abstract = {This study assessed digital health adoption and performance of healthcare services in Akure Metropolis, Ondo State, Nigeria, where there is an acute underutilization of the accessible technological tools. A survey research method was employed, enabling the collection of pertinent data from healthcare workers and patients attending the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, the largest healthcare facility in Akure metropolis, through questionnaire administration. The data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The formulated hypotheses were tested with the use of test statistics, while Pearson product-moment correlation and factor analysis were used to test the level of relationship between the variables. The results identify the moderate application of SMS-based medication reminders and health education, as 63.5 per cent of the respondents stated that the cost of implementing and maintaining digital health technologies has a serious influence on the capacity of hospitals to provide quality care. Also, 63.0 per cent of the sampled population admitted that government policies and regulations are important in determining the reception of digital health. The research indicates low use of integrated Hospital Information Systems (HIS) and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) as well as automated billing, with 44.5 per cent of the respondents disagreeing with the statement that the training of healthcare professionals has a positive effect on service delivery. The regression model indicates that the two most significant independent contributors of digital health adoption are operation effectiveness and infrastructure readiness, and that operation effectiveness operated significantly and positively (beta = 0.757, p = 0.000). Conversely, policy, cost, and user readiness variables exerted a rather low effect, indicating that the development of digital health adoption rates should be directed to the improvement of operating systems, infrastructure, and the removal of organisational constraints. The study revealed that the healthcare system in Akure is technologically evolving, yet demonstrably capable of realising sizeable performance gains, where even limited digital tools are embedded.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Digital Health Adoption and Performance of Healthcare Services in Akure Metropolis, Ondo State, Nigeria
AU  - Opeyemi Tawakalit Emmanuel-Ajayi
AU  - Olutoye Ade Aladejebi
Y1  - 2025/12/17
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.es.20251004.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.es.20251004.11
T2  - Engineering Science
JF  - Engineering Science
JO  - Engineering Science
SP  - 104
EP  - 117
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2578-9279
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.es.20251004.11
AB  - This study assessed digital health adoption and performance of healthcare services in Akure Metropolis, Ondo State, Nigeria, where there is an acute underutilization of the accessible technological tools. A survey research method was employed, enabling the collection of pertinent data from healthcare workers and patients attending the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, the largest healthcare facility in Akure metropolis, through questionnaire administration. The data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The formulated hypotheses were tested with the use of test statistics, while Pearson product-moment correlation and factor analysis were used to test the level of relationship between the variables. The results identify the moderate application of SMS-based medication reminders and health education, as 63.5 per cent of the respondents stated that the cost of implementing and maintaining digital health technologies has a serious influence on the capacity of hospitals to provide quality care. Also, 63.0 per cent of the sampled population admitted that government policies and regulations are important in determining the reception of digital health. The research indicates low use of integrated Hospital Information Systems (HIS) and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) as well as automated billing, with 44.5 per cent of the respondents disagreeing with the statement that the training of healthcare professionals has a positive effect on service delivery. The regression model indicates that the two most significant independent contributors of digital health adoption are operation effectiveness and infrastructure readiness, and that operation effectiveness operated significantly and positively (beta = 0.757, p = 0.000). Conversely, policy, cost, and user readiness variables exerted a rather low effect, indicating that the development of digital health adoption rates should be directed to the improvement of operating systems, infrastructure, and the removal of organisational constraints. The study revealed that the healthcare system in Akure is technologically evolving, yet demonstrably capable of realising sizeable performance gains, where even limited digital tools are embedded.
VL  - 10
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Opeyemi Tawakalit Emmanuel-Ajayi

Department of Project Management Technology, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3871-3738
Olutoye Ade Aladejebi

Department of Project Management Technology, The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7096-2550

Download PDF

Submit an Article

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Emmanuel-Ajayi, O. T., Aladejebi, O. A. (2025). Digital Health Adoption and Performance of Healthcare Services in Akure Metropolis, Ondo State, Nigeria. Engineering Science, 10(4), 104-117. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.es.20251004.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Emmanuel-Ajayi, O. T.; Aladejebi, O. A. Digital Health Adoption and Performance of Healthcare Services in Akure Metropolis, Ondo State, Nigeria. Eng. Sci. 2025, 10(4), 104-117. doi: 10.11648/j.es.20251004.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Emmanuel-Ajayi OT, Aladejebi OA. Digital Health Adoption and Performance of Healthcare Services in Akure Metropolis, Ondo State, Nigeria. Eng Sci. 2025;10(4):104-117. doi: 10.11648/j.es.20251004.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.es.20251004.11,
  author = {Opeyemi Tawakalit Emmanuel-Ajayi and Olutoye Ade Aladejebi},
  title = {Digital Health Adoption and Performance of Healthcare Services in Akure Metropolis, Ondo State, Nigeria},
  journal = {Engineering Science},
  volume = {10},
  number = {4},
  pages = {104-117},
  doi = {10.11648/j.es.20251004.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.es.20251004.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.es.20251004.11},
  abstract = {This study assessed digital health adoption and performance of healthcare services in Akure Metropolis, Ondo State, Nigeria, where there is an acute underutilization of the accessible technological tools. A survey research method was employed, enabling the collection of pertinent data from healthcare workers and patients attending the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, the largest healthcare facility in Akure metropolis, through questionnaire administration. The data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The formulated hypotheses were tested with the use of test statistics, while Pearson product-moment correlation and factor analysis were used to test the level of relationship between the variables. The results identify the moderate application of SMS-based medication reminders and health education, as 63.5 per cent of the respondents stated that the cost of implementing and maintaining digital health technologies has a serious influence on the capacity of hospitals to provide quality care. Also, 63.0 per cent of the sampled population admitted that government policies and regulations are important in determining the reception of digital health. The research indicates low use of integrated Hospital Information Systems (HIS) and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) as well as automated billing, with 44.5 per cent of the respondents disagreeing with the statement that the training of healthcare professionals has a positive effect on service delivery. The regression model indicates that the two most significant independent contributors of digital health adoption are operation effectiveness and infrastructure readiness, and that operation effectiveness operated significantly and positively (beta = 0.757, p = 0.000). Conversely, policy, cost, and user readiness variables exerted a rather low effect, indicating that the development of digital health adoption rates should be directed to the improvement of operating systems, infrastructure, and the removal of organisational constraints. The study revealed that the healthcare system in Akure is technologically evolving, yet demonstrably capable of realising sizeable performance gains, where even limited digital tools are embedded.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Digital Health Adoption and Performance of Healthcare Services in Akure Metropolis, Ondo State, Nigeria
AU  - Opeyemi Tawakalit Emmanuel-Ajayi
AU  - Olutoye Ade Aladejebi
Y1  - 2025/12/17
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.es.20251004.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.es.20251004.11
T2  - Engineering Science
JF  - Engineering Science
JO  - Engineering Science
SP  - 104
EP  - 117
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2578-9279
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.es.20251004.11
AB  - This study assessed digital health adoption and performance of healthcare services in Akure Metropolis, Ondo State, Nigeria, where there is an acute underutilization of the accessible technological tools. A survey research method was employed, enabling the collection of pertinent data from healthcare workers and patients attending the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, the largest healthcare facility in Akure metropolis, through questionnaire administration. The data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The formulated hypotheses were tested with the use of test statistics, while Pearson product-moment correlation and factor analysis were used to test the level of relationship between the variables. The results identify the moderate application of SMS-based medication reminders and health education, as 63.5 per cent of the respondents stated that the cost of implementing and maintaining digital health technologies has a serious influence on the capacity of hospitals to provide quality care. Also, 63.0 per cent of the sampled population admitted that government policies and regulations are important in determining the reception of digital health. The research indicates low use of integrated Hospital Information Systems (HIS) and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) as well as automated billing, with 44.5 per cent of the respondents disagreeing with the statement that the training of healthcare professionals has a positive effect on service delivery. The regression model indicates that the two most significant independent contributors of digital health adoption are operation effectiveness and infrastructure readiness, and that operation effectiveness operated significantly and positively (beta = 0.757, p = 0.000). Conversely, policy, cost, and user readiness variables exerted a rather low effect, indicating that the development of digital health adoption rates should be directed to the improvement of operating systems, infrastructure, and the removal of organisational constraints. The study revealed that the healthcare system in Akure is technologically evolving, yet demonstrably capable of realising sizeable performance gains, where even limited digital tools are embedded.
VL  - 10
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download