Medical Information Breaches Occurrence with Respect to Social Media Usage, in Selected Medical Institutions in Uganda

The purpose of this manuscript is to present research findings based on the reported cases of medical information breaches due to Social Media (SM) usage, in selected medical institutions in Uganda. The study employed online survey techniques. Altogether, 710 questionnaires (Google forms) were developed, and operationalized. The main respondents included 566 medical students, and 143 medical staff from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), and Kampala International University (KIU), accordingly. Using SPSS, the main statistical analysis tools employed include frequency distribution summary, and Chi-square (x2) test. According to the frequency distribution summary, 27% to 42% of the respondents within categorical divides acknowledged occurrence of medical information breaches due to SM usage. Notably, higher levels of the breaches were reported among male students (64%), age-group 18 to 35 years (68%), and WhatsApp users (63%). On the other hand, Chi-square results showed significant levels (p < 0.05) of association between gender and medical information breaches, as well as age-group and medical information breaches. However, Chi-square results yielded insignificant results (p > 0.05) between medical institutions and medical information breaches. Overall, the vulnerable areas of the breaches identified would serve as important reference points in the process of rationalizing SM usage in medical institutions. Nevertheless, further studies could focus on identification of the key SM usage factors associated with medical information breaches in medical institutions in Uganda.