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Can mobile phones help control neglected tropical diseases? Experiences from Tanzania

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  • Madon, Shirin
  • Amaguru, Jackline Olanya
  • Malecela, Mwele Ntuli
  • Michael, Edwin

Abstract

The increasing proliferation of mobiles offers possibilities for improving health systems in developing countries. A case in point is Tanzania which has piloted a mobile phone-based Management Information System (MIS) for the control of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) where village health workers (VHWs) were given mobile phones with web-based software to test the feasibility of using frontline health workers to capture data at point of source. Based on qualitative case study research carried out in 2011, we found that providing mobile phones to VHWs has helped to increase the efficiency of routine work boosting the motivation and self-esteem of VHWs. However, despite these advantages, the information generated from the mobile phone-based NTD MIS has yet to be used to support decentralised decision-making. Even with improved technology and political will, the biggest hindrance to local usage of information for health planning is the lack of synthesised and analysed health information from the district and national levels to the villages. Without inculcating a culture of providing health information feedback to frontline workers and community organisations, the benefits of the intervention will be limited. If not addressed, this will mean that mobiles have maintained the one-way upward flow of information for NTD control and simply made reporting more hi-tech.

Suggested Citation

  • Madon, Shirin & Amaguru, Jackline Olanya & Malecela, Mwele Ntuli & Michael, Edwin, 2014. "Can mobile phones help control neglected tropical diseases? Experiences from Tanzania," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 103-110.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:102:y:2014:i:c:p:103-110
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.11.036
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jenny C. Aker & Isaac M. Mbiti, 2010. "Mobile Phones and Economic Development in Africa," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 24(3), pages 207-232, Summer.
    2. Jones, Caroline & Abeku, Tarekegn A. & Rapuoda, Beth & Okia, Michael & Cox, Jonathan, 2008. "District-based malaria epidemic early warning systems in East Africa: Perceptions of acceptability and usefulness among key staff at health facility, district and central levels," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(2), pages 292-300, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael Addotey-Delove & Richard E. Scott & Maurice Mars, 2023. "Healthcare Workers’ Perspectives of mHealth Adoption Factors in the Developing World: Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-27, January.
    2. Madon, Shirin & Malecela, Mwele Ntuli & Mashoto, Kijakazi & Donohue, Rose & Mubyazi, Godfrey & Michael, Edwin, 2018. "The role of community participation for sustainable integrated neglected tropical diseases and water, sanitation and hygiene intervention programs: A pilot project in Tanzania," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 28-37.
    3. Bervell, Brandford & Al-Samarraie, Hosam, 2019. "A comparative review of mobile health and electronic health utilization in sub-Saharan African countries," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 232(C), pages 1-16.

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