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A comparative review of mobile health and electronic health utilization in sub-Saharan African countries

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  • Bervell, Brandford
  • Al-Samarraie, Hosam

Abstract

This study distinguished between the application of e-health and m-health technologies in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries based on the dimensions of use, targeted diseases or health conditions, locations of use, and beneficiaries (types of patients or health workers) in a country specific context. It further characterized the main opportunities and challenges associated with these dimensions across the sub-region. A systematic review of the literature was conducted on 66 published peer reviewed articles. The review followed the scientific process of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines of identification, selection, assessment, synthesis and interpretation of findings. The results of the study showed that m-health was prevalent in usage for promoting information for treatment and prevention of diseases as well as serving as an effective technology for reminders towards adherence. For e-health, the uniqueness lay in data acquisition and patients’ records management; diagnosis; training and recruitment. While m-health was never used for monitoring or training and recruitment, e-health on the other hand could not serve the purpose of reminders or for reporting cases from the field. Both technologies were however useful for adherence, diagnosis, disease control mechanisms, information provision, and decision-making/referrals. HIV/AIDS, malaria, and maternal (postnatal and antenatal) healthcare were important in both m-health and e-health interventions mostly concentrated in the rural settings of South Africa and Kenya. ICT infrastructure, trained personnel, illiteracy, lack of multilingual text and voice messages were major challenges hindering the effective usage of both m-health and e-health technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:232:y:2019:i:c:p:1-16
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.04.024
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shirin Madon & Jackline Olanya Amaguru & Mwele Ntuli Malecela & Edwin Michael, 2014. "Can mobile phones help control neglected tropical diseases?: experiences from Tanzania," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 56058, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
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    3. 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.
    4. Alessandro Liberati & Douglas G Altman & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Cynthia Mulrow & Peter C Gøtzsche & John P A Ioannidis & Mike Clarke & P J Devereaux & Jos Kleijnen & David Moher, 2009. "The PRISMA Statement for Reporting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Studies That Evaluate Health Care Interventions: Explanation and Elaboration," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-28, July.
    5. Xanthe Wessels & Nicoli Nattrass & Ulrike Rivett, 2007. "Improving the efficiency of monitoring adherence to antiretroviral therapy at primary health care level: a case study of the introduction of electronic technologies in Guguletu, South Africa," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(4), pages 607-621.
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    Cited by:

    1. Petrakaki, Dimitra & Chamakiotis, Petros & Curto-Millet, Daniel, 2023. "From ‘making up’ professionals to epistemic colonialism: Digital health platforms in the Global South," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).
    2. Edgar Cambaza, 2023. "The Role of FinTech in Sustainable Healthcare Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Narrative Review," FinTech, MDPI, vol. 2(3), pages 1-17, July.
    3. Chinwah, Viviane & Nyame-Asiamah, Frank & Ekanem, Ignatius, 2020. "Risk factors affecting maternal health outcomes in Rivers State of Nigeria: Towards the PRISMA model," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).

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