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mHealth and Health Care Service Delivery in Africa: A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Austin Eze Egede
  • Cajetan Ikechukwu Ilo
  • Maryjane Ikechukwu-Nwobodo
  • Tessy Amaka Nnaji
  • Rita Ihuoma Anaba
  • Ignatius Obilor Nwimo
  • Nwamaka A. Elom
  • Uchechukwu A. Ezugwu
  • Lazarus Eneje Ezugwu
  • Ifeanyi Jude Nkwoka

Abstract

We conducted a systematic review of studies on mHealth and health care services delivery that were carried out within Africa. Our search process was through MEDLINE, and then on PubMed, we searched key terms based on various keywords- “Whatsapp, health, Africa, Text messages, health impact, Africa, mHealth tools, Africa”. This was done in December of 2018. Only English written articles from journals indexed in Science Citation Index Expanded and Social Science Citation Index were incorporated in this review. In line with our inclusion criteria, only a total of 19 out of 155 studies were relevant. Inferences from these studies showed that mHealth tools are speedy and quality means for health care delivery in Africa. We also found out that there is less usage of internet devices in Africa as suspected. There is a serious need for improvement in the use of other online based mHealth tools as it was found that the use of Short Messaging Service (SMS) has been the nearly the sole mHealth intervention utilized in Africa. This, it is believed would foster better wider intervention and implementation of quality health outcomes in Africa, and other low and middle-income regions of the world.

Suggested Citation

  • Austin Eze Egede & Cajetan Ikechukwu Ilo & Maryjane Ikechukwu-Nwobodo & Tessy Amaka Nnaji & Rita Ihuoma Anaba & Ignatius Obilor Nwimo & Nwamaka A. Elom & Uchechukwu A. Ezugwu & Lazarus Eneje Ezugwu & , 2021. "mHealth and Health Care Service Delivery in Africa: A Systematic Review," Global Journal of Health Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 13(2), pages 123-123, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:ibn:gjhsjl:v:13:y:2021:i:2:p:123
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hampshire, Kate & Porter, Gina & Owusu, Samuel Asiedu & Mariwah, Simon & Abane, Albert & Robson, Elsbeth & Munthali, Alister & DeLannoy, Ariane & Bango, Andisiwe & Gunguluza, Nwabisa & Milner, James, 2015. "Informal m-health: How are young people using mobile phones to bridge healthcare gaps in Sub-Saharan Africa?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 90-99.
    2. Forenbacher, Ivan & Husnjak, Siniša & Cvitić, Ivan & Jovović, Ivan, 2019. "Determinants of mobile phone ownership in Nigeria," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 43(7), pages 1-1.
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    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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