Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39910558›Full record

ArticleBMC medical informatics and decision making2025

Digital health data security practices among health professionals in low-resource settings: cross-sectional study in Amhara Region, Ethiopia.

Ayenew Sisay Gebeyew, Wondwossen Zemene, Binyam Chaklu Tilahun, Nebyu Demeke Mengestie, Berhanu Fikade Endehabtu, Zegeye Regasa Wordofa, Mitiku Kassaw Takillo, Gedefaw Belete Ashagrie, Melaku Molla Sisay

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC medical informatics and decision making, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Role of telemedicine in cardiovascular care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).American heart journal plus : cardiology research and practice · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Ayenew Sisay GebeyewDepartment of Health Informatics, College of Medicine and Health Science, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia. ayu.uog@gmail.com.
Wondwossen ZemeneDepartment of Health Informatics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Binyam Chaklu TilahunDepartment of Health Informatics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Nebyu Demeke MengestieDepartment of Health Informatics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Berhanu Fikade EndehabtuDepartment of Health Informatics, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Zegeye Regasa WordofaDepartment of Health Informatics, College of Medicine and Health Science, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia.
Mitiku Kassaw TakilloDepartment of Health Informatics, College of Medicine and Health Science, Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia.
Gedefaw Belete AshagrieDepartment of Computer Science, Tibebe Gion Specialized Teaching Hospital, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Melaku Molla SisayDepartment of Health Informatics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.

Funding

Doris Duke Charitable Foundation 2017187
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionProtecting digital health data from unauthorized access, alteration, and destruction is a crucial aspect of healthcare digitalization. Currently, digital security breaches are becoming more common. Healthcare data breaches have compromised over 50 million medical records per year. In Ethiopia, health digitization has grown gradually. However, there is a limitation of study in digital health security. Studying digital health data security helps individuals protect digital data as a baseline and contributes to developing a digital health security policy.

objectiveTo assess the practice of healthcare professionals in digital health data security among specialized teaching referral hospitals in Amhara Region, Ethiopia.

methodA cross-sectional study design supplemented by a qualitative purposive sampling method was used to measure the digital data security practices of health professionals. The sample size was determined via single population proportion formula. A simple random sampling technique was used for the study participants. Then, self-administered questionnaires were administered. Multivariable logistic analysis was used to identify associated factors using STATA software. For the qualitative study, key informant interviews were used and analyzed using thematic analysis approach via open-code software.

resultsOut of the 423 health professionals, 95.0% were involved in the survey. The finding indicates digital health data security practice of health professionals working at specialized teaching hospitals were 45.0%, CI: (40, 50). Health professionals 41-45-year age group (AOR = 0.107), master's degree (AOR = 2.45), postmaster's degree (AOR = 3.87), time to visit the internet for more than two hours (AOR = 2.46), basic computer training (AOR = 2.77), training in digital data security (AOR = 2.14), and knowledge (AOR = 1.76) were associated with the practice of digital health data security. For the qualitative study, three teams were prepared. The findings indicate digital health data security can be improved through training, advanced knowledge and working with digital security.

conclusionThe practice of digital health data security in specialized teaching hospitals in the Amhara region was inadequate. Therefore, it can be improved through enhancing education status, increasing the time needed to visit the internet, providing computer training, and updating health professionals' knowledge toward digital health data security.

Indexed as

Attitude of Health PersonnelComputer SecurityHealth PersonnelAdultCross-Sectional StudiesDigital HealthEthiopiaFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedDigital data securityDigital healthHealth professionPractice

Identifiers

PMID39910558
PMCPMC11796040

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.