Information systems: internet, access and use by health workers and people living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

The National Institute of Health developed NETLAB, a Web based information system that increases the availability of laboratory results to health workers and patients living with HIV / AIDS (PLWHA) in HAART. To assure its effectiveness it is necessary to explore issues available like resources access to Internet Objectives: To describe the characteristics of Internet access and NETLAB access by potential users and the IT infrastructure in places where HAART is administered. Methods: We included 48 public and private health facilities where HAART is administered for 23 departments for Peru. 3 questionnaires were prepared, one for health professionals, another for PLWA and another for informatics specialists from each center. Results: We included in the survey 246 health workers, 201 PLWA and 45 informatics workers. 95,5% of the health workers reported they know how use the Internet, 62,6% had Internet connection with in his offices. 85% knew about NETLAB, but only 36% had an access code. 50,7% of PLWA knew how to use Internet (85,5% in Lima and 47,7% in provinces p<0,01). 81% access trough the public Internet booths (“cabinas públicas”) and 93% are interesting accessing their lab results trough the Internet. All the health facilities have Internet access though the quality of the connection is very heterogeneous. Discussion: The high proportion of health workers who knew how and uses the Internet is encouraging and favors the introduction and the use of NETLAB and communications technology. The access gap between PLWA in Lima and regions and the high frequency of use of public Internet booths represent a challenge but also opportunities to promote the use of NETLAB in this group.