Information and communication technology literacy, knowledge and readiness for electronic medical record system adoption among health professionals in a tertiary hospital, Myanmar: A cross-sectional study.

Some developing countries are currently introducing and implementing an electronic medical record system (EMRs) for improvement in healthcare delivery services. Availability of information and communication technology (ICT), technical skillful staff, and strong resistance to change by the health professionals impacted the successful adoption of EMRs. This study aimed to assess the ICT literacy, knowledge, and readiness for EMRs adoption among health professionals in a tertiary hospital, Myanmar. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 118 health professionals involving in a tertiary hospital at Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar from February to April 2020 using a stratified sampling method. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a pretested structured questionnaire after getting informed consent. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 23.0. Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression analysis were performed to assess the associated factors of ICT literacy, knowledge, and overall readiness for EMRs adoption. The prevalence of high ICT literacy and knowledge on EMRs among health professionals were 20.3% and 24.6% respectively. The factors associated with ICT literacy were professional, education, duration of service, and reported English language skills. Duration of service was associated with knowledge on EMRs. The overall readiness was 54.2% (core readiness 59.3% and engagement readiness 61.9%), and postgraduate [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 7.32, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 2.26-23.68] and knowledge on EMRs (AOR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.13-1.43) were the factors associated with overall readiness for EMRs adoption. Expanding infrastructure and provision of ICT development training are crucial for the improvement of ICT literacy. EMRs training program enabling hands-on experience should be implemented for improvement of knowledge on EMRs. In general, the overall readiness for EMRs adoption was found to be moderate. Enhancing the establishment of comprehensive on-the-job training and contextualization of curriculum in EMRs training program are recommended to improve the health professionals' readiness for EMRs adoption.

Assessment of respiratory dust exposure and lung functions among workers in textile mill (Thamine), Myanmar: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Airborne dusts are being potentially harmful for workers in occupational environment. Exposure to respirable dust is the most important concern in textile workers for the widespread of occupational lung diseases, especially more serious in developing countries. The aim of the study was to assess the respirable dust exposure and associated factors of lung functions among textile workers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out at a textile mill (Thamine), Yangon Region, from April to December, 2018 and a total of 207 textile workers were randomly selected by using a multistage sampling procedure. Data were collected by using a structured questionnaire for respiratory symptoms, an air sampling pump for assessment of respirable dust exposure, and a spirometer for testing the lung functions. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the associated factors of lung functions. Odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval were computed for strength of associations at the significance level of α ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: The mean (± standard deviation, SD) respirable dust exposure was 3.3 mg/m3 (± 0.69) and the prevalence of increased respirable dust exposure (> 3 mg/m3) was 50.7%. The level of respirable dust exposure was highest in the textile workers involving at twisting department. The means (± SD) spirometry values were FVC 82.8% (± 17.8), FEV1 83.6% (± 18.5), and FEV1/FVC 0.9 (± 0.1). Overall magnitude of reduced lung functions was 40.1%, and the prevalence of reduced FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC were 36.7, 34.3 and 3.9% respectively. The current working at twisting department, > 5 years of service duration, respiratory symptoms and increased respirable dust exposure were associated with reduction in FVC and FEV1. CONCLUSIONS: The current working department, service duration, respiratory symptoms and exposure to respirable dust were predictors of lung functions in textile workers. An adequate ventilation, good work practices, hygienic workplace, safety and health training regarding potential health effects, and periodically assessment of lung functions are the critical elements for control of respirable dust exposure and reduction of occupational lung diseases.