TECHNOLOGICAL INTEGRATION IN FAMILY HEALTH CARE AND IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH OUTCOMES AND SUSTAINABLE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN OWERRI MUNICIPAL OF IMO STATE

Abstract

This study investigated technological integration in family health care and its implications for health outcomes and sustainable national development in Imo State. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design and was guided by three specific purposes, three research questions, and three hypotheses. The accessible population comprised 7,890 adult family members and health care providers in Owerri Municipal, Imo State, while a sample of 253 respondents, consisting of 159 adult family members and 94 health care providers, was used. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire titled Technological Integration in Family Health Care and Sustainable National Development Questionnaire (TIFCSNDQ), which was validated by experts and yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.72 using Cronbach’s alpha. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while independent samples t-test was used to test the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that digital health tools significantly improve family health outcomes through better access to health information, health monitoring, timely care, treatment adherence, and parental decision-making. The study also found that technology-based health services contribute positively to sustainable national development by improving health standards, reducing mortality, increasing productivity, promoting economic growth, and reducing pressure on public health institutions. However, barriers such as poor internet access, irregular electricity supply, low digital literacy, lack of trust in digital platforms, and inadequate technical support hinder effective utilization. No significant difference existed between the mean ratings of health care providers and adult family members on all variables studied. The study concluded that technological integration in family health care is vital for improving health outcomes and advancing sustainable national development in Imo State. It recommended improved digital infrastructure, wider adoption of digital health services, and regular digital literacy and sensitization programmes.