Assessment Of The Level Of Patients Privacy And Confidentiality In Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi

Project and Seminar Material for Nursing (Science)

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the level of patients privacy and confidentiality in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi. The study was specifically set to assess the attitude of healthcare workers towards patients’ privacy and confidentiality in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi, determine the level of healthcare workers compliance to patients’ health information privacy and confidentiality in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi, and identify the factors associated with compliance to health information privacy and confidentiality among healthcare workers in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi. The survey design was adopted and the simple random sampling techniques were employed in this study. The population size comprise of heath workers in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi. In determining the sample size, the researcher conveniently selected 59 respondents and 50 were validated. Self-constructed and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected and validated questionnaires were analyzed using frequency tables and mean scores. While the hypotheses were tested using Chi- square statistical tool. The result of the findings reveals that there is a high level of compliance to patients’ health information privacy and confidentiality among healthcare workers in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi. Furthermore, the study reveals that the factors associated with compliance to health information privacy and confidentiality among healthcare workers in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi includes; taking training on medical ethics, facing ethical dilemmas, having direct contact with the patients, and lack of strict supervision. Therefore, it is recommended that there is need to provide a continuing medical ethics training package for health workers before joining the hospital and in between the working time so as to improve health professionals’ knowledge and attitude towards patient confidentiality. To mention but a few.

Table of Content

Title Page
Certification
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Table of Content
List of Tables
Abstract

Chapter One:

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Objective of the Study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Research Hypothesis
1.6 Significance of the Study
1.7 Scope of the Study
1.8 Limitation of the Study
1.9 Definition of Terms
1.10 Organisations of the Study

Chapter Two:

Review of Literature

2.1 Conceptual Framework
2.2 Theoretical Framework
2.3 Empirical Review

Chapter Three:

Research Methodology

3.1 Research Design
3.2 Population of the Study
3.3 Sample Size Determination
3.4 Sample Size Selection Technique and Procedure
3.5 Research Instrument and Administration
3.6 Method of Data Collection
3.7 Method of Data Analysis
3.8 Validity of the Study
3.9 Reliability of the Study
3.10 Ethical Consideration

Chapter Four:

Data Presentation and Analysis

4.1 Data Presentation
4.2 Analysis of Data
4.3 Answering Research Questions
4.4 Test of Hypotheses

Chapter Five:

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
References
APPENDIX
QUESTIONNAIRE

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Privacy and confidentiality are critically important components of patient care(Francis, 2020). Healthcare professionals are ethically obliged to protect patient confidentiality and ensure discretion(Joshi, 2025). The patient’s rights to privacy and confidentiality of their health information should be respected in all settings(Boulle, 2015). This should include informal situations, for example corridor conversations and social settings. Overheard disclosures adversely affect patients’ trust and can lead to a breakdown in the relationship between them and their healthcare team.

Confidentiality refers to the restriction of access to personal information from unauthorized persons and processes at authorized times and in an authorized manner(Hasibuan, 2018). When we say patients have the right to confidentiality, it refers to keeping privileged communication secret and cannot be disclosed without the patient’s authorization.

Health professionals have a legal obligation to handle patients’ information privately and securely(Elgujja, 2020). As a result, patients and professionals develop trust and a positive relationship. If such highly sensitive data is improperly disclosed, it could threaten patients’ safety. Hence confidentiality needs to be respected to protect patients’ well-being and maintain society’s trust in the physician–patient relationship. The issue of confidentiality has been recognized as a global concern. As a result, several internationally agreed on principles and guidelines for maintaining the sanctity of patients’ private lives during treatment. This law, known as Data Protection Act, was enacted in 1998 and was last revised in 2018(Waterson, 2019). The Data Protection Act was created to provide protection and set guidelines for handling personal data. There is no comprehensive data protection law in Ethiopia that covers health data protection.

Confidentiality is the basis of the legal elements of health records and an ethical cornerstone of excellent care( Zarina, 2017). More importantly, the quality of information shared with healthcare experts is determined by their capacity to keep it private. Otherwise, the patient may withhold important information, lowering the quality of care offered.

Although information sharing is essential in an interdisciplinary health team, each professional should limit information disclosure to an unauthorized health professional to plan and carry out procedures in the patient’s best interests(Lai, 2018). The exchange of patient medical records and data with an unauthorized person continues to be a common occurrence in a variety of clinical settings. Breaches of confidentiality in clinical practice due to negligence, indiscretion, or sometimes even maliciously jeopardize a duty inherent in the physician–patient relationship(Callen, 2015). Breaches of confidentiality and sharing data with unauthorized parties may have the potential to harm the patients’ health. Health care quality declines due to a loss of confidence in the professional-patient relationship. Patients become hesitant to seek care and attend follow-up appointments due to their mistrust of health providers.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite the existence of a medical ethics course, patients’ concern about maintaining their privacy and confidentiality has grown, and reports of unethical behavior by health professionals on patient confidentiality are familiar(Goldschmidt, 2015). There are so many problems regarding patient medical record confidentiality and data sharing(Degoulet, 2015). The loss of patient medical records due to handling by unauthorized staff without consent and transporting to another department is a big issue in Nigeria. That can affect patients’ quality of care by consuming time, harming patient satisfaction, causing improper diagnosis, and making it difficult to get the previous history.

The attitude of health administrator (health information management) has lead to litigation by patients’ in the hospital. It has led to distrust between patients and health professionals in the hospital. It has enhanced stigmatization of patients privacy due to exposure of staff records on medically challenged issues. As observed by Ojo & Popoola, (2015), in utilizing health care services, it is important that patients share personal information with health workers. Health care providers have a duty as professionals to respect the patient’s trust and keep the information private. However, patients’ awareness of their rights to privacy and confidentiality is often low.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The broad objective of this study is to assess the level of patients privacy and confidentiality in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi. Other specific objectives includes:

Assess the attitude of healthcare workers towards patients’ privacy and confidentiality in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi..
Determine the level of healthcare workers compliance to patients’ health information privacy and confidentiality in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi.
Identify the factors associated with compliance to health information privacy and confidentiality among healthcare workers in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi.

1.4 Research Question

The research is guided by the following research question:

What is the attitude of healthcare workers towards patients’ privacy and confidentiality in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi?
What is the level of healthcare workers compliance to patients’ health information privacy and confidentiality in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi?
What are the factors associated with compliance to health information privacy and confidentiality among healthcare workers in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

Ho: There is a low level of compliance to patients’ health information privacy and confidentiality among healthcare workers in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi
Ha: There is a high level of compliance to patients’ health information privacy and confidentiality among healthcare workers in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The significance of this research is that it addresses the rapidly growing trend of patient data sharing and confidentiality among health practitioners in developing countries taking Nigeria as an example. There is limited evidence regarding health professional knowledge and attitude related to patients’ confidentiality in resources limited settings. Therefore, this study will fill evidence gaps on health professional knowledge, attitude, and associated factors related to patient confidentiality in Kebbi state. This study will provide policymakers with up-to-date information on health professionals’ knowledge and attitude towards patient confidentiality. Aside from that, the outcomes of this study may aid legislators in developing plans to improve health professionals’ knowledge and attitude toward patient confidentiality.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The scope of the study borders on assessment of the level of patients privacy and confidentiality. The study is limited to Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. However, the researcher were able to manage these just to ensure the success of this study.

Moreover, the case study method utilized in the study posed some challenges to the investigator including the possibility of biases and poor judgment of issues. However, the investigator relied on respect for the general principles of procedures, justice, fairness, objectivity in observation and recording, and weighing of evidence to overcome the challenges.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Health:

It is a complete state of physically mental and social well-being not merely the absence of disease or infirmities.

Health Information Management System:

Is a system whereby health data are recorded, stored, retrieved and processed to improve decision-making.

Confidentiality:

A state keeping or being kept or private.

1.10 Organization of the Studies

The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms. The chapter two covers the review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study, sample size determination, sample size, and selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration. The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter(chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.

Chapter Five

Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations:

5.1 Introduction

This chapter summarizes the findings on the level of patients privacy and confidentiality in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.

5.2 Summary of the Study

In this study, our focus was on the level of patients privacy and confidentiality in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi. The study was set to assess the attitude of healthcare workers towards patients’ privacy and confidentiality in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi, determine the level of healthcare workers compliance to patients’ health information privacy and confidentiality in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi, and identify the factors associated with compliance to health information privacy and confidentiality among healthcare workers in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi.

The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 50 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent are heath workers in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi.

5.3 Conclusions

Respecting patients’ confidentiality is an ethical and legal responsibility for health professionals and the cornerstone of care excellence. In the light of the analysis carried out, the following conclusions were drawn.

Healthcare workers in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi has positive attitude towards patients’ privacy and confidentiality.
There is a high level of compliance to patients’ health information privacy and confidentiality among healthcare workers in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi.
The factors associated with compliance to health information privacy and confidentiality among healthcare workers in Sir Yahya Memorial Hospital Birnin Kebbi includes; taking training on medical ethics, facing ethical dilemmas, having direct contact with the patients, and lack of strict supervision.

5.4 Recommendation

Based on the findings the researcher recommends that;

There is need to provide a continuing medical ethics training package for health workers before joining the hospital and in between the working time so as to improve health professionals’ knowledge and attitude towards patient confidentiality.
Internet facilities with its accessories should be provided in order to enhance documentation, treatment and tracing of defaulters by Health Information Officers.
Health Information Officers should be made to be answerable to their employer alone by restricting facility employee cum supporting agencies interactions.
Ensuring that health administrators are well enlightened on the benefits and effects of health data.