Introduction: Information and communication technology (ICT) is among the exceptional tools that have globally immensely influenced human life and health service delivery in this century. Advances in telecommunication technology in the last two decades have led to the need to adopt computerisation and computer utilization to allow vast information acquisition, storage, retrieval and sharing. Kenyatta National Hospital has invested and implemented computerisation and computer use. It is with this in mind that this study sought to assess the perception of the nurses, being the largest hands-on health workforce, and custodians of much information, in this institution.
Methods: This was a cross sectional study of qualified nurses from all departments. Data were collected using questionnaires and observation checklists. Quantitative data were analysed using statistical package for social sciences package version 22. A sample size of 291 nurses participated in the study. Chi square test of independence was used to determine any statistically significant relationship between nominal variables. A P-value <0.05 was used to determine significance.
Results: The response rate was 100 % (291), mean age of the respondents was 39.48 years and the age group 40-44 years was the majority. Majority were senior nursing officers 132 (45.4%) and most were working in pediatric department 49(16.8%). Of the respondents 258(88.7%) felt that having computers to do work was better than when computers were unavailable; 260 (90%) perceived computerization and computer use to be useful. The results were statistically significant p<0.0001. Regarding computer skills, 164 (56.4%) felt they had adequate skills while 127 (43.6%) did not and this was statistically significant p<0.034. When asked their preferred method of documentation, 241(84.9%) were documenting using computers, 28(9.9%) paper and pen while 14(5%) were not sure and the results were statistically significant p<0.0001. Regarding rating of their computer use most nurses indicated good 116(39.9%), 102(35.1%) at fair and 40(13.7%) at excellent.
Conclusion: Majority nurses felt that the use of computers to do work was better than when they were unavailable, they had positive perception and willingness to adopt the technology and majority had basic computer skills.