Factors associated with digital tools use among primary healthcare professionals in Burkina Faso: a cross-sectional study of the minimal digital ecosystem

The use of digital tools in healthcare remains limited in many countries, although their use by healthcare professionals is key to the effective implementation of digital health. In 2023, Burkina Faso introduced the Minimal Digital Ecosystem (MDE), a set of eight digital tools designed to support healthcare providers in clinical care, free-service management, pharmaceutical supply, and quality assessment. This study aims to identify factors associated with the use of MDE tools among healthcare professionals. We conducted a cross-sectional study in four districts of Burkina Faso (Ziniaré, Ténado, Manga, and Sapouy). Spatially representative health facilities were selected using Moran autocorrelation, and purposive sampling was applied to recruit health professionals. Data were analysed through chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression. Factors varied across tool categories. Use of service delivery tools (REC-PCIME and REC-Maternité) was significantly associated with secondary education (aOR = 3.47; 95% CI: 1.68–7.20). Perceived ease of use strongly influenced E-SantéCom adoption (aOR = 98.51; 95% CI: 1.77–5492.15). Men were more likely to use NetSIGL 2.0 (aOR = 3.07; 95% CI: 1.76–5.36), while access to more than four tablets reduced its use (aOR = 0.56; 95% CI: 0.35–0.91). Geographic disparities were observed for E-Qualité, with almost no uptake in Manga (aOR = 0.01; 95% CI: 0.00–0.18). For E-Flux financier, secondary education was again a major predictor (aOR = 7.66; 95% CI: 1.45–40.38). Finally, use of E-Gratuité and individual electronic care record tool (FIS) was associated with male gender (aOR = 18.04; 95% CI: 5.14–63.30) and more than 10 years of professional experience (aOR = 12.05; 95% CI: 1.59–91.46). MDE tools use in Burkina Faso is shaped by both individual factors (gender, education, experience, and perceptions) and structural factors (equipment availability and geographic disparities). Targeted strategies are needed to strengthen digital health use and ensure equitable integration within primary healthcare.