Implementing Healthcare Information Systems in Developing Countries: Challenges and Lessons Learned | Chapter 9 | Medical Science: Updates and Prospects Vol. 6

 

Information systems (IS) have permeated every facet of life, including healthcare. While developed nations efficiently employ information systems in healthcare, developing countries face significant challenges. In many developing countries, sustainable Healthcare Information Systems (HIS) are constrained by weak policies and outdated technologies. In Bangladesh, fragmented and largely non-digital health records continue to limit access to effective care. Evidence shows that standardised hospital information systems can improve patient management and allow healthcare providers to serve more patients efficiently. This study reviews the main barriers to HIS implementation in developing countries using a systematic literature review (SLR). Relevant studies were drawn from IEEE Xplore, EBSCO, and ScienceDirect. From an initial pool of 4,014 papers, 11 studies were selected through rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria. The review identifies 24 key barriers to HIS adoption, grouped into six categories: limited funding, poor infrastructure, low education and awareness, cultural and political constraints, resistance to change, and weak system quality. The study concludes that addressing these barriers is a complex, long-term process often compounded by limited research in developing countries. To overcome these barriers and promote the effective adoption of IS in healthcare, the study recommends focusing on improving infrastructure, securing funding, enhancing training, ensuring system quality, addressing cultural barriers, managing resistance, planning long-term, fostering collaboration, leveraging data-driven decisions, and building local capacity. The journey towards effective HIS implementation in developing countries is marked by complex challenges, but this study highlights critical areas for intervention. Future research and collaborative efforts are crucial to bridging the healthcare technology gap and ultimately improving healthcare outcomes for the populations of these countries.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Shafiqur Rahman
International Open University, Australia.

 

Aminul Islam
Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, KSA.

 

Sweta Thakur
King’s Own Institute, Australia.

 

Md Badiuzzaman
Information Technology and Engineering, Sydney Metropolitan Institute of Technology, Australia.

 

Nasrin Huda
University Malaysia Perlis, Malaysia.

 

Please see the link:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/msup/v6/7132

Evaluation of the Knowledge, Practices and Barriers to Peak Flow Meter Use among Nurses in a Ghanaian Tertiary Hospital | Chapter 6 | An Overview of Disease and Health Research Vol. 8

 

Background: Chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are among the most common non-communicable diseases globally and contribute substantially to morbidity, mortality, and health system costs. In asthma and COPD management, objective assessment of lung function is essential for diagnosis, monitoring exacerbations, and guiding therapy. Asthma and COPD are rising causes of morbidity and mortality in Ghana, yet objective tools for monitoring airflow limitation remain underused. Peak flow meters (PFMs) offer a simple, low-cost method for assessing airway obstruction, but their utilisation by nurses has not been well documented.

 

Objective: The primary objective of this study is to assess nurses’ knowledge, practices, and perceived barriers to PFM utilisation in the management of respiratory disorders at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Ghana.

 

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 335 registered nurses selected through proportionate stratified sampling from medical, surgical, and emergency units of KATH. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire. The instrument comprised four sections: demographic characteristics (age, sex, rank, years of practice, unit of work); knowledge of PFM use (purpose, calibration units, colour zones, clinical indications); practice of PFM use (experience, patient instruction, documentation); and perceived barriers to PFM utilisation. All the collected data were analysed with descriptive statistics (SPSS version 26).

 

Results: Knowledge of PFM use was poor, as only 55 nurses (16.4%) correctly identified the PFM as a device for measuring airflow limitation, and 28 (8.4%) recognised litres per minute as the standard calibration unit. Across the seven scored knowledge items, the estimated mean correct score was 2.36 ± 0.9 (out of 7), reflecting limited knowledge overall. Practical use was similarly limited, with 93 (27.8%) reporting ever using a PFM to assess a patient and 20 (6.0%) documenting peak flow values after bronchodilator administration. Major barriers included work overload (329, 98.2%), high device cost (315, 94.0%), lack of time to teach patients (305, 91.0%), and administrative unavailability of PFMs (304, 90.7%).

 

Conclusion: Nurses at KATH demonstrated substantial gaps in both knowledge and practice of PFM use despite acknowledging its clinical importance. Integrating PFM training into pre-service nursing curricula, providing regular in-service education, and ensuring consistent device availability are critical to strengthening respiratory care in Ghana. This study is limited by its cross-sectional design and single-site setting, which constrain generalizability. Future research should therefore involve multiple centres, include observational or audit data on PFM use, and examine both the effects of structured training interventions and the contextual factors influencing PFM utilisation in different clinical areas.

 

 

Author(s) Details

Afua Wirekowaa Adjei Yeboah
Directorate of Internal Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana, Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives, Ghana and Christian Service University, Kumasi, Ghana.

 

Susana Somuah
Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives, Ghana and Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Koforidua, Ghana.

 

Rasheed Ofosu-Poku
Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives, Ghana, Christian Service University, Kumasi, Ghana and Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission Hospital, Asokore, Ghana.

 

John Antwi
Directorate of Internal Medicine, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana, Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives, Ghana and Christian Service University, Kumasi, Ghana.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/aodhr/v8/6760

Interpretive Structural Modeling Approach to Civil Military Relations in India | Chapter 9 | Science and Technology - Recent Updates and Future Prospects Vol. 5

 Civil Military Relations (CMR) is a complex mix of explicit, implicit, traditions, precedence, evolutions, powers forming part of the social contract that underpins the country`s governance. The main players in civil military relations are the politicians, the civilian bureaucracy, the society and the Armed Forces. Various important factors that influence Civil Military Relations include the formation of a state, command and control of the armed forces, evolution of the political environment and relationship between the state & the society. The subject is of immense importance for a developing mature democratic state. There are a few factors known as CMR Enablers and Barriers (EBs), that affect CMR. The paper studies the basic relationships amongst the shortlisted EBs and understands the driver and driven EBs. Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) technique with Micmac Analysis was used to determine inter-se relationships between the EBs. Ultimately, how critical each factor is for the success of CMR was identified. Legacy, Leadership and National Interest were found to be the most critical EBs. Five other EBs were also identified though less critical but of importance in CMR. Future studies could quantify the framework obtained from the ISM model, using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Future research in this field could be carried out using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP).

 

Author(s) Details:

Dr. Sanjeev Sharma
Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune – 412115, Maharashtra, India.

Dr. Poornima Tapas
Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune, constituent of Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune – 412115, Maharashtra, India.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/STRUFP-V5/article/view/14932

Recommendations to Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses a Context for Small and Medium Enterprises in the New Normal | Chapter 12 | Managing Higher Education and Enterprises in Developing Countries Beyond COVID-19: Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Business and Management Dynamics

The aim of this paper is to provide recommendations to entrepreneurs and small businesses emanating from the coronavirus disease – 19 (COVID-19) pandemic experience. The motive of this paper was based on how, during the COVID-19 pandemic entrepreneurs were confronted with the need to adjust to a changing economic climate. On the one hand, entrepreneurs were tasked with directing their businesses away from bankruptcy, while, on the other hand, had to deal with a pressing need to keep their businesses afloat in an environment marked by low discretionary income and customer uncertainty. These challenges were exacerbated by the lack of pragmatic business recommendations crafted to assist small business entrepreneurs in surviving business challenges which then prompted this inquiry. A conceptual approach was employed to review extant literature in the domain of entrepreneurship, while a philosophical inquiry was made with entrepreneurship scholars in business, to gain perspective into the lessons experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The procedure of inquiry was guided by the dictates of an exploratory research design. The derived insights show that in the new normal, entrepreneurs must be elastic to change and unexpected shocks, embrace the possibilities offered by digitalization, prioritize inclusiveness, and focus on creating sustainable growth through diversification.

Author(s) Details:

D. S. Nheta,
Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa.

E. A. Nesamvuni,
Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa.

W. Chakuzira,
University of South Africa, South Africa.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/MHEEDCBCPICBMD/article/view/13203

Knots Prevent the Development of Economy: A Case Study from Vietnam | Chapter 10 | Modern Perspectives in Economics, Business and Management Vol. 7

 Despite the fact that Vietnam's GDP has increased significantly during the last ten years. However, Vietnam's economy is currently confronted with two significant obstacles, referred to as the "two knots," namely, institutional and transportation infrastructure. This research uses a quantitative method called multivariable linear regression to analyse these two knots (MLR). The study's goals are to evaluate the impact of institutions and infrastructure on economic development using a case study from Vietnam, and then to make recommendations to competent authorities for improving the situation based on the findings. The five infrastructure variables that have the most impact on the economy are road length, airport link to the rest of the world, rail length, fixed internet subscriptions, and fixed telephone subscriptions. Voice and accountability of people and government are two other institution variables. Policy implementation and policy quality Compliance with rules and laws, as well as anti-corruption efforts, have an economic impact.

Author (S) Details

Vu Thi Kim Hanh
Van Lang university, Hochiminh City, Vietnam.

View Book :- https://stm.bookpi.org/MPEBM-V7/article/view/3626

Hindrances to Women Advancing to Principals’ Decision Making Positions in Secondary Schools in Kenya: An Approach towards Evidence of Convergence and Divergence Views | Chapter 8 | Selected Topics in Humanities and Social Sciences Vol. 4

 This chapter includes findings based on male and female principals' perspectives on challenges or impediments that contribute to women's underrepresentation in secondary school leadership, management, and administration positions. The study took place in a Kenyan county and used a quantitative survey approach with 22 male and 18 female principals chosen at random from forty secondary schools. Data was gathered via questionnaires. SPSS was used to analyse the data that resulted (Software package for social science).The findings of the study show that male and female principals have differing perspectives on the obstacles that prevent women from becoming secondary school principals in the schools that participated in the study. The study reveals that female and male secondary principals perceive impediments or hindrances to women's advancement into educational leadership differently. One suggestion is that a large-scale study be conducted to gain a comprehensive understanding of both male and female principals' perspectives of the reasons that prevent women from ascending to leadership roles in Kenyan secondary schools.

Author (S) Details

Dr. Andrew Makori
Murang’a University of Technology, P.O. Box 7510200, Murang’a, Kenya.

View Book :- https://stm.bookpi.org/STHSS-V4/article/view/2861

Study on Attitudes and Barriers of Medical Students towards Conducting Research in a Medical College | Chapter 9 | Technological Innovation in Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 8

 Background: Evidence-based medicine is well-known as the gold standard for clinical practise. Conducting thorough research can help with this. Medical students, as future doctors, should make a big contribution, however research among medical students is lacking in terms of presentations and publications.

The goal is to discover the many hurdles to undertaking research, as well as motivational factors and attitudes.

Methods: A semi-structured questionnaire was given to three different batches of medical students in this cross-sectional observational study.

The percentage of people who agreed to participate in research was only 30%. The total attitude and barrier score among them were 3.690.29 and 3.630.42, respectively, with statistical significance revealed between genders rather than batches. The most significant stumbling block was a lack of prior research experience (91.67 percent ). Self-interest was the most common source of motivation (90.7 percent ).

Conclusions: If medical students are given adequate training and facilities, they should be able to conduct more research.

Author (s) Details

Manjunath G. Narasimhaiah
Department of Pharmacology, Sri Siddhartha Medical College, Tumkur, Karnataka, India.

Swamy R. Mallikarjuna
Department of Pharmacology, Sri Siddhartha Medical College, Tumkur, Karnataka, India.

Riyaj A. Kalaburgi
Department of Community Medicine, Sri Siddhartha Medical College, Tumkur, Karnataka, India.

View Book :- https://stm.bookpi.org/TIPR-V8/article/view/2212

Exploring Enablers and Barriers to Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Management Technologies Adoption in the Kingdom of Bahrain: A Recent Study | Chapter 7 | Modern Advances in Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences Vol. 4

 Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) has been a global priority due to its negative impacts on the environment and human health if not adequately managed. MSW has been proven to be a resource on a global scale, and it has a significant potential in the field of conversion technologies. As a result, the goal of this research is to look at the enablers and hurdles to six various MSW management (MSWM) technologies that have been used in Bahrain, including Anaerobic Digestion (AD), Incineration, Pyrolysis, Gasification, Composting, and Re-fused Derived Fuel (RDF). Using a qualitative methodology "primarily semi-structured interviews" with experts and subsequently Thematic Analysis using nvivo12 software, this study gives significant information to decision and policy-makers for the processes of selection and deployment of MSWM technologies in Bahrain. The findings reveal that the key categories that enablers and barriers fall under are political (e.g. national waste management policy), technical (e.g. source segregation), managerial (e.g. capacity building), social (e.g. public awareness), economic (e.g. investment incentives), and environmental (e.g. air quality). The best strategy to manage trash in Bahrain is to focus on the principles of reducing, reuse, and recycling. As a beginning point, source segregation must be implemented. The study indicated that in order to be successful in the adoption of MSWM technology, the resulting barriers must be overcome. According to the experts, incineration is the greatest alternative for managing MSW because it has the fewest barriers and most enablers in Bahrain.

Author(s) Details

S. Y. Abbas
Department of Natural Recourses and Environment, Arabian Gulf University, Salmaniya, Manama, Bahrain.

View Book :- https://stm.bookpi.org/MAGEES-4/article/view/1056

Recent Perspective: Providing Deep Learning through Active Engagement of Adult Learners in Blended Courses | Chapter 9 | New Horizons in Education and Social Studies Vol.2

Malcolm Knowles [1] indicates that adult learners are most likely to be actively engaged in learning when they are given some choice and control over the learning process. When the curriculum relates to the adult learner’s interests, is individualized, and authentic; the adult learner becomes actively engaged in the process by making a ‘psychological investment’ in learning. Teaching a blended course presents certain challenges for the instructor when creating lessons to actively engage adult learners. This paper discusses how active engagement is defined and determined, barriers that impact adult learners attempting to actively engage in learning, and various strategies to actively engage adult learners that directly align to the characteristics of the adult learning process, in a blended course.

Author(s) Details

Dr. Darlene Mc Donough,
School of Education, St. Bonaventure University St. Bonaventure, New York.

View Book :- http://bp.bookpi.org/index.php/bpi/catalog/book/215