KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF TELEHEALTH AND TELEHEALTH SKILLS AMONG PRATICING NURSES IN UGBOR COMMUNITY, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE.

Abstract

The rapid evolution of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has revolutionized healthcare delivery through the emergence of telehealth. This study assessed the knowledge, perception of telehealth, and telehealth skills among practicing nurses in Ugbor Community, Edo State, Nigeria. The research adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design and was guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). A structured questionnaire was administered to 50 nurses drawn from Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Prime Dew Clinic, and the College of Health and Information Governance (COHIG). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, employing descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and binary logistic regression at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that while a majority of the nurses (76%) had heard of telehealth, only 42% demonstrated high or very high knowledge levels. Perception toward telehealth was generally positive, with most respondents agreeing that it improves healthcare access, reduces patient travel time, and enhances service quality. However, telehealth skill levels were moderate, as only a small proportion of nurses expressed confidence in troubleshooting technical issues or integrating telehealth into daily practice. Major barriers identified included poor internet connectivity, lack of adequate equipment, limited training opportunities, and patient-related challenges. The chi-square test indicated a significant relationship between nurses’ knowledge of telehealth and its utilization (p < 0.05), confirming the influence of knowledge and skill on adoption behavior. The study concluded that telehealth adoption in Ugbor Community remains suboptimal, primarily due to infrastructural and skill-related constraints. It recommended capacity-building initiatives, policy development, and inclusion of telehealth training in nursing curricula to enhance professional competence and improve healthcare accessibility through digital means. Keywords: Telehealth, Knowledge, Perception, Skills, Nurses, Ugbor Community, Technology Acceptance.