Digital Competency and Its Correlates Among Healthcare Professionals in Northern Ghana
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Abstract
Across sectors globally, technological adoption is critical for maintaining competitiveness and enhancing productivity. Within healthcare specifically, digital health tools hold significant potential to improve services and strengthen health systems. However, the integration of such technologies frequently faces delays, particularly within middle- and low-income settings. This study investigated digital competency and its associated factors among healthcare professionals in Northern Ghana, grounded in the European Digital Competence Framework (DigComp). A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed among 428 healthcare workers from selected facilities using convenience sampling. Data were collected via a semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. The mean age of participants was 37.4±9.4 years. The majority (85.5%) reported high digital competency, while 14.5% exhibited low competency. Additionally, 79.7% held positive perceptions of digital health, compared to 20.3% with poor perceptions. Multivariable analysis revealed that female health professionals were significantly less likely to demonstrate high digital competency than males (AOR=0.45, CI=0.23-0.88, p=0.019). Professionals with 15 or more years of experience had lower odds of high competency compared to those with less than five years, and poor perception of digital health was inversely associated with competency levels. The findings indicate generally high digital competency and positive perceptions among health workers, yet reveal critical disparities requiring intervention. It is recommended that health authorities implement gender-sensitive digital training programs and targeted upskilling initiatives for experienced professionals, alongside strategies to foster positive attitudes toward digital health tools. Addressing these gaps is essential for successful digital health transformation in resource-limited settings.
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