Assessing Internet Quality Across Public Health Centers in Indonesia: Cross-Sectional Evaluation Study

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Health Informatics
• Public Health Infrastructure

Background:

• Primary health centers (Puskesmas) are vital for Indonesia's healthcare, requiring robust technology like reliable internet for effective service delivery.
• Assessing internet access is crucial for understanding Puskesmas' readiness for digital health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a national baseline assessment of internet quality and IT infrastructure in Indonesian Puskesmas.
• To identify gaps in internet connectivity and related technological resources.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey involving 10,382 Puskesmas across 34 Indonesian provinces.
• An online questionnaire was used to collect data on internet access and IT infrastructure.

Main Results:

• 7.18% of Puskesmas lacked internet access, and 14.33% had limited access.
• 53.64% had sufficient internet, while 24.85% had fast and sufficient internet.
• Issues with electricity (8.02% lack 24-hour power) and computer specifications were also noted.

Conclusions:

• Despite 79% having sufficient internet, 21% face connectivity challenges.
• Collaborative efforts between internet providers and government are needed to ensure universal internet access, supported by adequate electricity and computer hardware.