Dataset Information

Mapping evidence of mobile health technologies for disease diagnosis and treatment support by health workers in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The rapid growth of mobile technology has given rise to the development of mobile health (mHealth) applications aimed at treating and preventing a wide range of health conditions. However, evidence on the use of mHealth in high disease burdened settings such as sub-Sharan Africa is not clear. Given this, we systematically mapped evidence on mHealth for disease diagnosis and treatment support by health workers in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review study guided by the Arksey and O'Malley's framework, Levac et al. recommendations, and Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. We thoroughly searched the following databases: MEDLINE and CINAHL with full text via EBSCOhost; PubMed; Science Direct and Google Scholar for relevant articles from the inception of mHealth technology to April 2020. Two reviewers independently screened abstracts and full-text articles using the eligibility criteria as reference. This study employed the mixed methods appraisal tool version 2018 to assess the methodological quality of the included studies.

Results

Out of the 798 articles identified, only 12 published articles presented evidence on the availability and use of mHealth for disease diagnosis and treatment support by health workers in SSA since 2010. Of the 12 studies, four studies were conducted in Kenya; two in Malawi; two in Nigeria; one in South Africa; one in Zimbabwe; one in Mozambique, and one in Lesotho. Out of the 12 studies, one reported the use of mHealth for diseases diagnosis; three reported the use of mHealth to manage HIV; two on the management of HIV/TB; two on the treatment of malaria; one each on the management of hypertension; cervical cancer; and three were not specific on any disease condition. All the 12 included studies underwent methodological quality appraisal with a scored between 70 and 100%.

Conclusions

The study shows that there is limited research on the availability and use of mHealth by health workers for disease diagnosis and treatment support in sub-Saharan Africa. We, therefore, recommend primary studies focusing on the use of mHealth by health workers for disease diagnosis and treatment support in sub-Saharan Africa.

SUBMITTER: Osei E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7789784 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Mapping evidence of mobile health technologies for disease diagnosis and treatment support by health workers in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review.

Osei Ernest E Kuupiel Desmond D Vezi Portia Nelisiwe PN Mashamba-Thompson Tivani P TP

BMC medical informatics and decision making 20210106 1

<h4>Background</h4>The rapid growth of mobile technology has given rise to the development of mobile health (mHealth) applications aimed at treating and preventing a wide range of health conditions. However, evidence on the use of mHealth in high disease burdened settings such as sub-Sharan Africa is not clear. Given this, we systematically mapped evidence on mHealth for disease diagnosis and treatment support by health workers in sub-Saharan Africa.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted a scoping review ...[more]

PMID: 33407438

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Project description:BackgroundMobile health (mHealth) technologies hold incredible promise to improve healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings. Network reliability across large catchment areas can be a major challenge. We performed an analysis of network failure frequency as part of a study of real-time adherence monitoring in rural Uganda. We hypothesized that the addition of short messaging service (SMS+GPRS) to the standard cellular network modality (GPRS) would reduce network disruptions and improve transmission of data.MethodsParticipants were enrolled in a study of real-time adherence monitoring in southwest Uganda. In June 2011, we began using Wisepill devices that transmit data each time the pill bottle is opened. We defined network failures as medication interruptions of >48 hours duration that were transmitted when network connectivity was re-established. During the course of the study, we upgraded devices from GPRS to GPRS+SMS compatibility. We compared network failure rates between GPRS and GPRS+SMS periods and created geospatial maps to graphically demonstrate patterns of connectivity.ResultsOne hundred fifty-seven participants met inclusion criteria of seven days of SMS and seven days of SMS+GPRS observation time. Seventy-three percent were female, median age was 40 years (IQR 33-46), 39% reported >1-hour travel time to clinic and 17% had home electricity. One hundred one had GPS coordinates recorded and were included in the geospatial maps. The median number of network failures per person-month for the GPRS and GPRS+SMS modalities were 1.5 (IQR 1.0-2.2) and 0.3 (IQR 0-0.9) respectively, (mean difference 1.2, 95%CI 1.0-1.3, p-value<0.0001). Improvements in network connectivity were notable throughout the region. Study costs increased by approximately $1USD per person-month.ConclusionsAddition of SMS to standard GPRS cellular network connectivity can significantly reduce network connection failures for mobile health applications in remote areas. Projects depending on mobile health data in resource-limited settings should consider this upgrade to optimize mHealth applications.

Project description:INTRODUCTION:Previous studies have attempted to review the vast body of evidence on adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH), but none has focused on a complete mapping and synthesis of the body of inquiry and evidence on ASRH in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Such a comprehensive scoping is needed, however, to offer direction to policy, programming and future research. We aim to undertake a scoping review of studies on ASRH in SSA to capture the landscape of extant research and findings and identify gaps for future research. METHODS AND ANALYSIS:This protocol is designed using the framework for scoping reviews developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. We will include English and French language peer-reviewed publications and grey literature on ASRH (aged 10-19) in SSA published between January 2010 and June 2019. A three-step search strategy involving an initial search of three databases to refine the keywords, a full search of all databases and screening of references of previous review studies for relevant articles missing from our full search will be employed. We will search AJOL, JSTOR, HINARI, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar and the websites for the WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNESCO and Guttmacher Institute. Two reviewers will screen the titles, abstracts and full texts of publications for eligibility and inclusion-using Covidence (an online software). We will then extract relevant information from studies that meet the inclusion criteria using a tailored extraction frame and template. Extracted data will be analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results will be presented using tables and charts and summaries of key themes arising from available research findings. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION:Ethical approval is not required for a scoping review as it synthesises publicly available publications. Dissemination will be through publication in a peer-review journal and presentation at relevant conferences and convening of policymakers and civil society organisations working on ASRH in SSA.

Project description:Cervical cancer (CC) is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract and in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), its morbidity and mortality rates are high. The aim of this review was to map evidence on CC management in SSA. The scoping review was conducted in accordance with Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review framework. The review included studies on different aspects of CC management. The review was also done following the steps and guidelines outlined in the PRISMA-Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. The following databases were searched: PubMed, EBSCOhost, Scopus and Cochrane Database of Systematic Review. A total of 1121 studies were retrieved and 49 which were eligible for data extraction were included in the review. The studies were classifiable in 5 groups: 14 (28.57%) were on barriers to CC screening, 10 (20.41%) on factors associated with late-stage presentation at diagnosis, 11 (22.45%) on status of radiotherapy, 4 (8.20%) on status of chemotherapy and 10 (20.41%) on factors associated with high HPV coverage. High HPV vaccine coverage can be achieved using the class school-based strategy with opt-out consent form process. Barriers to CC screening uptake included lack of knowledge and awareness and unavailability of screening services. The reasons for late-stage presentation at diagnosis were unavailability of screening services, delaying whilst using complementary and alternative medicines and poor referral systems. The challenges in chemotherapy included unavailability and affordability, low survival rates, treatment interruption due to stock-outs as well as late presentation. Major challenges on radiotherapy were unavailability of radiotherapy, treatment interruption due to financial constraints, and machine breakdown and low quality of life. A gap in understanding the status of CC management in SSA has been revealed by the study implying that, without full knowledge of the extent of CC management, the challenges and opportunities, it will be difficult to reduce infection, improve treatment and palliative care. Research projects assessing knowledge, attitude and practice of those in immediate care of girls at vaccination age, situational analysis with health professionals and views of patients themselves is important to guide CC management practice.

Project description:ObjectivesUndertake a systematic scoping review to determine how a research evidence base, in the form of existing systematic reviews in the field of mobile health (mHealth), constitutes education and training for community health workers (CHWs) who use mobile technologies in everyday work. The review was informed by the following research questions: does educational theory inform the design of the education and training component of mHealth interventions? How is education and training with mobile technology by CHWs in low-income and middle-income countries categorised by existing systematic reviews? What is the basis for this categorisation?SettingThe review explored the literature from 2000 to 2017 to investigate how mHealth interventions have been positioned within the available evidence base in relation to their use of formal theories of learning.ResultsThe scoping review found 24 primary studies that were categorised by 16 systematic reviews as supporting CHWs' education and training using mobile technologies. However, when formal theories of learning from educational research were used to recategorise these 24 primary studies, only four could be coded as such. This identifies a problem with how CHWs' education and training using mobile technologies is understood and categorised within the existing evidence base. This is because there is no agreed on, theoretically informed understanding of what counts as learning.ConclusionThe claims made by mHealth researchers and practitioners regarding the learning benefits of mobile technology are not based on research results that are underpinned by formal theories of learning. mHealth suffers from a reductionist view of learning that underestimates the complexities of the relationship between pedagogy and technology. This has resulted in miscategorisations of what constitutes CHWs' education and training within the existing evidence base. This can be overcome by informed collaboration between the health and education communities.

Project description:BackgroundHypertension remains one of the leading risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Contrasting with the high-income countries where the rates of hypertension decline, it increases in Sub-Saharan African countries. The age group most affected by hypertension is the working population. Several studies carried out in Europe, North America, and Asia, underline the influence of job stress on the occurrence of hypertension. The objective of this review was to explore current knowledge about hypertension and job stress in Sub-Saharan Africa.MethodsWe conducted a scoping review using Arksey and O'Malley's framework to synthesize findings. We searched in PubMed, Scopus, and ProQuest databases. The inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed manuscripts published on March 1, 2023, conducted among workers in Sub-Saharan Africa, reported hypertension and job stress, and using quantitative methodologies. Data were assessed independently by two researchers.ResultsIn total, 295 articles were identified from databases. Of these, only 12 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review (9 cross-sectional studies and 3 case-control studies). These studies focused on sectors reported as stressful (health, banking, education, and industries). The prevalence of hypertension varied from 14.3% to 45.9%, with a high proportion of hypertensive participants (35.4%-70.6%) who were unaware that they had hypertension. Job stress was significantly associated with hypertension (OR = 2.4 [1.5-4.4]) and stress management was inversely associated with hypertension (r = -0.14, p < 0.05). However, no study reported an existing workplace health promotion program implemented, especially regarding cardiovascular disease risk factors.ConclusionData available in the literature show that stressful working conditions may be associated with hypertension. We are faced with an increasing prevalence of hypertension among workers in Sub-Saharan Africa, where a large proportion of them are unaware that they have hypertension. Thus, there is a need to implement workplace prevention and health promotion strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Project description:IntroductionAn estimated one billion people globally are currently suffering from hypertension. Prevention and management of hypertension are suboptimal especially in low- and middle-income countries leading to increased complications and deaths. With increased mobile phone coverage globally, this study aims to review mobile health technologies used for the prevention and management of hypertension.MethodsWe conducted a literature search on electronic databases using identified keywords involving "hypertension", "mobile health technology" and their synonyms. Snowballing technique was also used. Papers were screened at two levels by independent reviewers. The targets were studies published in peer-reviewed journals reporting mobile health interventions for hypertension prevention and management. Only primary research studies published in English from January 2017 to April 2024 were included. Google Forms were used to extract the data along with other characteristics, and selected articles were categorised into: mobile application, web-based solutions, and Short Message Service (SMS) and other offline solutions.ResultThe search yielded 184 articles, and 44 studies were included in the review. Most (n = 26) were randomised control trials. Twenty-two studies (22) focused only on mobile applications solutions, 12 on SMS and other offline mHealth, 5 web-based solutions, and 5 combined more than one type of mobile health technology. The United States of America had the majority of studies (n = 17), with 6 studies from other American countries, 11 from Asia and nine from Europe, while only one from Africa. A total of 36 studies reported that mobile health technology significantly improved hypertension care through reduced blood pressure, improved adherence to follow-up visits and medications, and lifestyle changes. SMS and offline mHealth strategies have also demonstrated effectiveness in promoting self-management and reducing racial disparities in hypertension care.ConclusionMobile health technology has the potential to play a significant role in the prevention and management of hypertension. However, there is a need for mobile health solutions for hypertension prevention and management in African countries and other developing countries. Integrating mHealth into primary healthcare delivery would also go a long way in strengthening patient care and reducing the burden on healthcare systems.

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Dataset Information

Mapping evidence of mobile health technologies for disease diagnosis and treatment support by health workers in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Mapping evidence of mobile health technologies for disease diagnosis and treatment support by health workers in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review.

Similar Datasets

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