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Kaburi BB, Harries M, Hauri AM, Kenu E, Wyss K, Silenou BC, Klett-Tammen CJ, Ressing C, Awolin J, Lange B, Krause G. Availability of published evidence on coverage, cost components, and funding support for digitalisation of infectious disease surveillance in Africa, 2003-2022: a systematic review. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1731. [PMID: 38943132 PMCID: PMC11214246 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19205-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The implementation of digital disease surveillance systems at national levels in Africa have been challenged by many factors. These include user applicability, utility of IT features but also stable financial support. Funding closely intertwines with implementations in terms of geographical reach, disease focus, and sustainability. However, the practice of evidence sharing on geographical and disease coverage, costs, and funding sources for improving the implementation of these systems on the continent is unclear. OBJECTIVES To analyse the key characteristics and availability of evidence for implementing digital infectious disease surveillance systems in Africa namely their disease focus, geographical reach, cost reporting, and external funding support. METHODS We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed and grey literature for the period 2003 to 2022 (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022300849). We searched five databases (PubMed, MEDLINE over Ovid, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) and websites of WHO, Africa CDC, and public health institutes of African countries. We mapped the distribution of projects by country; identified reported implementation cost components; categorised the availability of data on cost components; and identified supporting funding institutions outside Africa. RESULTS A total of 29 reports from 2,033 search results were eligible for analysis. We identified 27 projects implemented in 13 countries, across 32 sites. Of these, 24 (75%) were pilot projects with a median duration of 16 months, (IQR: 5-40). Of the 27 projects, 5 (19%) were implemented for HIV/AIDs and tuberculosis, 4 (15%) for malaria, 4 (15%) for all notifiable diseases, and 4 (15%) for One Health. We identified 17 cost components across the 29 reports. Of these, 11 (38%) reported quantified costs for start-up capital, 10 (34%) for health personnel compensation, 9 (31%) for training and capacity building, 8 (28%) for software maintenance, and 7(24%) for surveillance data transmission. Of 65 counts of external funding sources, 35 (54%) were governmental agencies, 15 (23%) foundations, and 7 (11%) UN agencies. CONCLUSIONS The evidence on costing data for the digitalisation of surveillance and outbreak response in the published literature is sparse in quantity, limited in detail, and without a standardised reporting format. Most initial direct project costs are substantially donor dependent, short lived, and thus unsustainable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basil Benduri Kaburi
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.
- PhD Programme "Epidemiology" Braunschweig-Hannover, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.
- Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Manuela Harries
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
- Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Anja M Hauri
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Ernest Kenu
- Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Kaspar Wyss
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Bernard Chawo Silenou
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | - Cordula Ressing
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
- Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jannis Awolin
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Berit Lange
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research partner site, Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Gérard Krause
- Department of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
- Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research partner site, Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
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Wipfli H, Arinaitwe J, Goma F, Atuyambe L, Guwatudde D, Phiri MM, Rutebemberwa E, Wabwire-Mangen F, Zulu R, Zyambo C, Guy K, Kusolo R, Mukupa M, Musasizi E, Tucker JS. A phone-based tobacco use cessation program for people living with HIV in Uganda and Zambia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2024; 19:6. [PMID: 38243301 PMCID: PMC10797805 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-024-00438-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and short messaging service (SMS)-based tobacco cessation interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing tobacco use in many populations, but evidence is needed on which tailored treatments are most efficacious in meeting the complex medical and psychosocial factors confronting people living with HIV (PLWH) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This paper describes the protocol of a study to test the efficacy of both NRT and a tailored SMS-based tobacco use cessation intervention among PLWH in Uganda and Zambia. METHODS In a randomized controlled trial, 800 adult PLWH who use tobacco will be recruited by health care professionals at HIV treatment centers where they are receiving care. Participants will be randomized to one of the four study arms: (1) standard of care [SOC; brief clinician advice to quit combined with HIV education and information aimed at encouraging HIV treatment adherence (with no mention of tobacco) delivered via text messages]; (2) SOC + 12 weeks of NRT; (3) SOC + 6 weeks of SMS text messages to support quitting tobacco use (SMS); or (4) SOC + NRT + SMS. Participants will receive a cell phone and solar panel with power bank for charging the phone. The main outcome is cessation of tobacco use by study participants verified by urinary cotinine (< 15 ng/mL) at 6 months post-enrollment. As a secondary tobacco use outcome, we will measure 7-day point-prevalence abstinence (7 consecutive days of no tobacco use) measured by self-report and biochemically-verified at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 3 months post enrollment. DISCUSSION Our study will provide insight into the efficacy, feasibility and applicability of delivering tobacco cessation interventions through health care professionals combined with tailored tobacco cessation SMS text messaging in two countries with different tobacco use patterns, policy environments, and health care resources and provide needed information to providers and policymakers looking for cost-effective tobacco cessation interventions. The previously tested SMS-platform to be used in our study is uniquely positioned to be scaled in low- and middle-income countries worldwide, in which case evidence of even modest success in reducing the prevalence of tobacco consumption among PLWH could confer enormous health and economic benefits. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT05487807. Registered August 4, 2022, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT05487807.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Wipfli
- Keck School of Medicine, Department of Preventative Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
| | - Jim Arinaitwe
- School of Public Health, Makerere University, Centre for Tobacco Control in Africa, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Fastone Goma
- School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Centre For Primary Care Research, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Lynn Atuyambe
- School of Public Health, Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - David Guwatudde
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Masauso Moses Phiri
- School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Centre For Primary Care Research, Lusaka, Zambia
- School of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Elizeus Rutebemberwa
- School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy, Makerere University, Planning, and Management, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Fred Wabwire-Mangen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Richard Zulu
- School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Centre For Primary Care Research, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Cosmas Zyambo
- School of Public Health, Department of Community and Family Medicine, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Kyra Guy
- Keck School of Medicine, Department of Preventative Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Ronald Kusolo
- School of Public Health, Makerere University, Centre for Tobacco Control in Africa, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Musawa Mukupa
- School of Medicine, University of Zambia, Centre For Primary Care Research, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Ezekiel Musasizi
- School of Public Health, Makerere University, Centre for Tobacco Control in Africa, Kampala, Uganda
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Mahmood S, Coovadia A, Laher AE, Adam A. mHealth app usage amongst paediatric department doctors in South Africa. Afr Health Sci 2023; 23:197-204. [PMID: 38357129 PMCID: PMC10862608 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v23i3.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Smartphone and mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps) have become an integral part of the day-to-day function of healthcare professionals, allowing quick, comprehensive, and up-to-date access to current clinical guidelines and other reference material. Objective To evaluate the extent and nature of use of mHealth apps by paediatric department doctors in South Africa. Methods E-mails requesting study participation were sent out to 285 paediatric department doctors employed at six hospitals affiliated to the University of the Witwatersrand. Willing participants were directed to complete the online study questionnaire. Results A total of 150 respondents completed the questionnaire. All respondents owned a mobile device and already had one or more mHealth apps, 95.3% were unaware of any regulatory body responsible for regulating the use of mHealth apps, 86.0% did not have access to free Wi-Fi at work and 87.3% used an mHealth app at least once daily. Drug dosing (81.3%), diagnostic (59.3%) and clinical decision-making (44.7%) apps were the most common app categories with Medscape® (62.0%) and EMGuidance® (41.3%) being the most frequently used apps. Peer recommendation (76.0%), app credibility (74.0%) and app functionality (66.0%) were the most common factors that were considered by respondents prior to downloading or using an mHealth app. Conclusion Medical apps are frequently used among paediatric medical doctors of all ranks. Drug dosing, diagnostic and clinical decision-making apps are the most common app categories in use. Improved awareness of the regulations pertaining to the use of mHealth apps amongst doctors is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahid Mahmood
- University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences, Paediatrics, South Africa
| | - Ashraf Coovadia
- University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences, Paediatrics, South Africa
| | - Abdullah E Laher
- University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences, Emergency Medicine, South Africa
| | - Ahmed Adam
- University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences, Urology, South Africa
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Aovare P, Abdulai K, Laar A, van der Linden EL, Moens N, Richard E, Moll van Charante EP, Agyemang C. Assessing the Effectiveness of mHealth Interventions for Diabetes and Hypertension Management in Africa: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2023; 11:e43742. [PMID: 37646291 PMCID: PMC10477453 DOI: 10.2196/43742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mobile health (mHealth) interventions are effective in improving chronic disease management, mainly in high-income countries. However, less is known about the efficacy of mHealth interventions for the reduction of cardiovascular risk factors, including for hypertension and diabetes, which are rapidly increasing in low- and middle-income countries. Objective This study aimed to assess the efficacy of mHealth interventions for diabetes and hypertension management in Africa. Methods We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, African Journals Online, and Web of Science for relevant studies published from inception to July 2022. The main outcomes of interest were changes in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. The random or fixed effect model was used for the meta-analysis, and the I2 statistic was used to gauge study heterogeneity. Z tests and P values were used to evaluate the effect of mHealth interventions on HbA1c and blood pressure levels. Results This review included 7 studies (randomized controlled trials) with a total of 2249 participants. Two studies assessed the effect of mHealth on glycemic control, and 5 studies assessed the effect of mHealth on blood pressure control. The use of mHealth interventions was not associated with significant reductions in HbA1c levels (weighted mean difference [WMD] 0.20, 95% CI -0.40 to 0.80; P=.51) among patients with diabetes and systolic blood pressure (WMD -1.39, 95% CI -4.46 to 1.68; P=.37) and diastolic blood pressure (WMD 0.36, 95% CI -1.37 to 2.05; P=.69) among patients with hypertension. After conducting sensitivity analyses using the leave-one-out method, the Kingue et al study had an impact on the intervention, resulting in a 2 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure (WMD -2.22, 95% CI -3.94 to -0.60; P=.01) but was nonsignificant for diastolic blood pressure and HbA1c levels after omitting the study. Conclusions Our review provided no conclusive evidence for the effectiveness of mHealth interventions in reducing blood pressure and glycemic control in Africa among persons with diabetes and hypertension. To confirm these findings, larger randomized controlled trials are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pearl Aovare
- Department of Public & Occupational Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Kasim Abdulai
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Amos Laar
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Eva L van der Linden
- Department of Vascular Medicine, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Nicolaas Moens
- Department of Economics, eHealth, and Digital Transformation, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Edo Richard
- Department of Neurology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Cognition, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Eric P Moll van Charante
- Department of Public & Occupational Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of General Practice, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Charles Agyemang
- Department of Public & Occupational Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Kanoute A, Carrouel F, Gare J, Dieng SN, Dieng A, Diop M, Faye D, Fraticelli L, Bourgeois D. Evaluation of Oral Hygiene-Related Mobile Apps for Children in Sub-Saharan Africa. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12565. [PMID: 36231862 PMCID: PMC9565087 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In sub-Saharan Africa, oral health is a real epidemiological challenge. Mobile applications represent a hope for the learning of oral hygiene in children and the fight against oral diseases. This study overviews and assesses the quality of mobile applications linked to oral hygiene for children currently featured on the iOS and Android stores in sub-Saharan Africa. Ten oral health professionals (OHP) used the French Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS-F) to rate 15 selected applications. The highest MARS-F scores for overall quality were reported for Bonne nuit Caillou (3.89 ± 0.74), Mon Raccoon (3.63 ± 0.95), and Chomper Chums (3.54 ± 0.54) while the lowest MARS-F scores for overall quality were achieved by Brushing time (2.31 ± 0.61), De belles dents (2.55 ± 0.55) and Brushing Hero (2.77 ± 0.53). The subjective quality scores ranged from 1.50 ± 0.68 for Brushing time to 3.25 ± 0.97 for Bonne nuit Caillou. Specificity scores ranged from 1.95 ± 0.88 (Brushing time) to 3.75 ± 0.84 (Bonne nuit Caillou). Thus, OHP rated positively the quality of the majority of mobile applications linked to oral hygiene for children, their effect on users' knowledge, attitudes, and intentions to change, and the probability of effective oral hygiene behavior modification. They stated that they would recommend their use to their patients who need them. However, studies analyzing the change in oral hygiene behavior of children using these apps need to be conducted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aida Kanoute
- Public Health Service, Department of Dentistry, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar 10700, Senegal
| | - Florence Carrouel
- Health, Systemic, Process (P2S), UR 4129 Research Unit, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, University of Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Jocelyne Gare
- Health, Systemic, Process (P2S), UR 4129 Research Unit, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, University of Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France
- Public Health Laboratory (LASAP), ED2S Doctoral School of Sciences and Health, University Joseph Ki Zerbo, Ouagadougou 7021, Burkina Faso
| | - Serigne Ndame Dieng
- Public Health Service, Department of Dentistry, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar 10700, Senegal
| | - Amadou Dieng
- Public Health Service, Department of Dentistry, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar 10700, Senegal
| | - Mbathio Diop
- Public Health Service, Department of Dentistry, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar 10700, Senegal
| | - Daouda Faye
- Public Health Service, Department of Dentistry, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar 10700, Senegal
| | - Laurie Fraticelli
- Health, Systemic, Process (P2S), UR 4129 Research Unit, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, University of Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Denis Bourgeois
- Health, Systemic, Process (P2S), UR 4129 Research Unit, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, University of Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France
- Hospices Civils de Lyon (HCL), 69002 Lyon, France
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Bogale B, Habte A, Haile D, Guteta M, Mohammed N, Gebremichael MA. Willingness to Receive mHealth Messages Among Diabetic Patients at Mizan Tepi University Teaching Hospital: Implications for Digital Health. Patient Prefer Adherence 2022; 16:1499-1509. [PMID: 35769337 PMCID: PMC9234188 DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s364604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The growing access and use of mobile technology provide new tools for diabetic care and management. Mobile-based technology (mHealth) is considered as a useful tool to deliver healthcare services as a makeshift alternative for consultations and follow-up of diabetic patients. Therefore, this study aimed to scrutinize the willingness to receive mHealth messages and its associated factors among diabetic patients at Mizan Tepi University Teaching Hospital (MTUTH). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among two hundred thirty-three diabetic patients. Data were collected using a structured and pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire. Epidata manager and SPSS software were used to enter and analyze the data, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify the independent factors associated with patients' willingness to receive mHealth messages. Results Two hundred and thirty-three patients participated in this study with a 95% response rate. Majority of the patients (213, 91.4%) had a mobile phone. Among those who had mobile phones, 59.1%, (95% CI: 48-64) of patients were willing to receive mHealth messages from providers, if they were offered the opportunity. In the multivariable binary logistic regression analysis, monthly income >3000 ETB (AOR = 2.43; 95% CI (1.36-3.81)), owning smartphone (AOR = 3.85; 95% CI (1.67-4.89)), internet access in their mobile phone (AOR = 2.74; 95% CI (1.42-4.61)), perceived usefulness (AOR = 4.66; 95% CI (2.38-6.83)) and perceived ease to use (AOR = 3.87; 95% CI (1.57-5.46)) were identified as significant factors associated with diabetic patients' willingness to receive mHealth messages. Conclusion A high proportion of patients who had mobile phones were willing to receive mHealth messages. Monthly income, type of mobile phone, access to the internet on the mobile phone, perceived ease of use, and perceived usefulness were associated with willingness to receive mHealth messages. Therefore, focusing on these factors could provide insight for designing and implementing mHealth messages for diabetic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biruk Bogale
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan-Aman, Ethiopia
| | - Aklilu Habte
- Department of Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wachemo University, Hosanna, Ethiopia
| | - Dereje Haile
- Department of Reproductive Health and Nutrition, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wolaita Sodo University, Sodo, Ethiopia
| | - Mirresa Guteta
- Department of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan Aman, Ethiopia
| | - Nuredin Mohammed
- Department of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan Aman, Ethiopia
| | - Mathewos Alemu Gebremichael
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
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Stocks J, Ibrahim S, Park L, Huchko M. Mobile Phone Ownership and Use Among Women Screening for Cervical Cancer in a Community-Based Setting in Western Kenya: Observational Study. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2022; 8:e28885. [PMID: 35671089 PMCID: PMC9214615 DOI: 10.2196/28885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mobile phone ownership among women of reproductive age in western Kenya is not well described, and our understanding of its link with care-seeking behaviors is nascent. Understanding access to and use of mobile phones among this population as well as willingness to participate in mobile health interventions are important in improving and more effectively implementing mobile health strategies. Objective This study aims to describe patterns of mobile phone ownership and use among women attending cervical cancer screening and to identify key considerations for the use of SMS text message–guided linkage to treatment strategies and other programmatic implications for cervical cancer screening in Kenya. Methods This analysis was nested within a cluster randomized trial evaluating various strategies for human papillomavirus (HPV)–based cervical cancer screening and prevention in a rural area in western Kenya between February and November 2018. A total of 3299 women were surveyed at the time of screening and treatment. Questionnaires included items detailing demographics, health history, prior care-seeking behaviors, and patterns of mobile phone ownership and use. We used bivariate and multivariable log-binomial regression to analyze associations between independent variables and treatment uptake among women testing positive for high-risk HPV. Results Rates of mobile phone ownership (2351/3299, 71.26%) and reported daily use (2441/3299, 73.99%) were high among women. Most women (1953/3277, 59.59%) were comfortable receiving their screening results via SMS text messages, although the most commonly preferred method of notification was via phone calls. Higher levels of education (risk ratio 1.23, 95% CI 1.02-1.50), missing work to attend screening (risk ratio 1.29, 95% CI 1.10-1.52), and previous cervical cancer screening (risk ratio 1.27, 95% CI 1.05-1.55) were significantly associated with a higher risk of attending treatment after testing high-risk HPV–positive, although the rates of overall treatment uptake remained low (278/551, 50.5%) among this population. Those who shared a mobile phone with their partner or spouse were less likely to attend treatment than those who owned a phone (adjusted risk ratio 0.69, 95% CI 0.46-1.05). Treatment uptake did not vary significantly according to the type of notification method, which were SMS text message, phone call, or home visit. Conclusions Although the rates of mobile phone ownership and use among women in western Kenya are high, we found that individual preferences for communication of messages about HPV results and treatment varied and that treatment rates were low across the entire cohort, with no difference by modality (SMS text message, phone call, or home visit). Therefore, although text-based results performed as well as phone calls and home visits, our findings highlight the need for more work to tailor communication about HPV results and support women as they navigate the follow-up process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Stocks
- Center for Global Reproductive Health, Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, United States
| | | | - Lawrence Park
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States.,Research Design and Analysis Core, Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Megan Huchko
- Center for Global Reproductive Health, Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, United States.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
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Olusanya OA, White B, Melton CA, Shaban-Nejad A. Examining the Implementation of Digital Health to Strengthen the COVID-19 Pandemic Response and Recovery and Scale up Equitable Vaccine Access in African Countries. ARXIV 2022:arXiv:2206.03286v1. [PMID: 35677423 PMCID: PMC9176651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the world, having taken the lives of over 6 million individuals. Accordingly, this pandemic has caused a shift in conversations surrounding the burden of diseases worldwide, welcoming insights from multidisciplinary fields including digital health and artificial intelligence. Africa faces a heavy disease burden that exacerbates the current COVID-19 pandemic and limits the scope of public health preparedness, response, containment, and case management. Herein, we examined the potential impact of transformative digital health technologies in mitigating the global health crisis with reference to African countries. Furthermore, we proposed recommendations for scaling up digital health technologies and artificial intelligence-based platforms to tackle the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 and enable equitable vaccine access. Challenges related to the pandemic are numerous. Rapid response and management strategies-that is, contract tracing, case surveillance, diagnostic testing intensity, and most recently vaccine distribution mapping-can overwhelm the health care delivery system that is fragile. Although challenges are vast, digital health technologies can play an essential role in achieving sustainable resilient recovery and building back better. It is plausible that African nations are better equipped to rapidly identify, diagnose, and manage infected individuals for COVID-19, other diseases, future outbreaks, and pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olufunto A Olusanya
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Brianna White
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Chad A Melton
- Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Arash Shaban-Nejad
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
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Olusanya OA, White B, Melton CA, Shaban-Nejad A. Examining the Implementation of Digital Health to Strengthen the COVID-19 Pandemic Response and Recovery and Scale up Equitable Vaccine Access in African Countries. JMIR Form Res 2022; 6:e34363. [PMID: 35512271 PMCID: PMC9116456 DOI: 10.2196/34363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the world, having taken the lives of over 6 million individuals. Accordingly, this pandemic has caused a shift in conversations surrounding the burden of diseases worldwide, welcoming insights from multidisciplinary fields including digital health and artificial intelligence. Africa faces a heavy disease burden that exacerbates the current COVID-19 pandemic and limits the scope of public health preparedness, response, containment, and case management. Herein, we examined the potential impact of transformative digital health technologies in mitigating the global health crisis with reference to African countries. Furthermore, we proposed recommendations for scaling up digital health technologies and artificial intelligence-based platforms to tackle the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 and enable equitable vaccine access. Challenges related to the pandemic are numerous. Rapid response and management strategies-that is, contract tracing, case surveillance, diagnostic testing intensity, and most recently vaccine distribution mapping-can overwhelm the health care delivery system that is fragile. Although challenges are vast, digital health technologies can play an essential role in achieving sustainable resilient recovery and building back better. It is plausible that African nations are better equipped to rapidly identify, diagnose, and manage infected individuals for COVID-19, other diseases, future outbreaks, and pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olufunto A Olusanya
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Brianna White
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Chad A Melton
- Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, United States
| | - Arash Shaban-Nejad
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
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10
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Mahdi SS, Allana R, Battineni G, Khalid T, Agha D, Khawaja M, Amenta F. The promise of telemedicine in Pakistan: A systematic review. Health Sci Rep 2022; 5:e438. [PMID: 35028430 PMCID: PMC8738974 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telemedicine offers the possibility of provision of medical assistance to remote patients, and it has great potential in developing countries like Pakistan. Telemedicine solves logistical barriers, gives support to weak health systems, and helps to establish worldwide networks of healthcare professionals. Because of the high implementation costs, it is not possible yet to adopt telehealth systems for low- and middle-income nations. OBJECTIVE To present a revision of region-based telemedical services in Pakistan. METHODS Libraries such as PubMed (Medline), CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Scopus (EMBASE), and Google Scholar were used for document search. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was adopted to conduct study quality. Many of the studies (n-8) included in the review were of high quality as assessed through the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Selected study characteristics were further analyzed based on different parameters such as publication year, sample size, study design, methods, motivation, and outcomes. RESULTS Search produced 955 articles and 11 items were ultimately selected to conduct the review. These studies were further characterized as region-based telemedicine implementation. Out of 11, eight studies were conducted in the urban region and three studies were conducted in the rural areas of Pakistan. Many studies produced evidence on telehealth interventions by smartphone services such as SMS, apps, and web-based telemedicine. CONCLUSIONS Telehealth interventions such as mHealth, eHealth, telemedicine, and telepharmacy in Pakistan were introduced starting from the last two decades. For obtaining the full benefits of these technologies, it is necessary that they but certainly need to become an integral part of Pakistan's current health infrastructure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Sarosh Mahdi
- Department of Community DentistryJinnah Medical and Dental College, Sohail UniversityKarachiPakistan
- Athena Center for Advanced Research in HealthcareCamerinoItaly
- Center of Clinical Research, Telemedicine & Telepharmacy DepartmentSchool of Medicinal and Health products Sciences, University of CamerinoMacerataItaly
| | - Raheel Allana
- Department of Pediatrics & Child HealthAga Khan University HospitalKarachiPakistan
| | - Gopi Battineni
- Center of Clinical Research, Telemedicine & Telepharmacy DepartmentSchool of Medicinal and Health products Sciences, University of CamerinoMacerataItaly
| | - Tamsal Khalid
- Department of Community DentistryJinnah Medical and Dental College, Sohail UniversityKarachiPakistan
| | - Daniyal Agha
- Department of Community DentistryJinnah Medical and Dental College, Sohail UniversityKarachiPakistan
| | - Mariam Khawaja
- Department of Community DentistryJinnah Medical and Dental College, Sohail UniversityKarachiPakistan
| | - Francesco Amenta
- Center of Clinical Research, Telemedicine & Telepharmacy DepartmentSchool of Medicinal and Health products Sciences, University of CamerinoMacerataItaly
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11
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Sowon K, Maliwichi P, Chigona W. The Influence of Design and Implementation Characteristics on the Use of Maternal Mobile Health Interventions in Kenya: Systematic Literature Review. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2022; 10:e22093. [PMID: 35084356 PMCID: PMC8832263 DOI: 10.2196/22093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The growth of mobile technology in developing countries, coupled with pressing maternal health care challenges, has led to a widespread implementation of maternal mobile health (mHealth) innovations. However, reviews generating insights on how the characteristics of the interventions influence use are scarce. Objective This study aims to review maternal mHealth interventions in Kenya to explore the influence of intervention design and implementation characteristics on use by maternal health clients. We also provide a starting inventory for maternal mHealth interventions in the country. Methods Using a systematic approach, we retrieved a total of 1100 citations from both peer-reviewed and gray sources. Articles were screened on the basis of an inclusion and exclusion criterion, and the results synthesized by categorizing and characterizing the interventions presented in the articles. The first phase of the literature search was conducted between January and April 2019, and the second phase was conducted between April and June 2021. Results A total of 16 articles were retrieved, comprising 13 maternal mHealth interventions. The study highlighted various mHealth design and implementation characteristics that may influence the use of these interventions. Conclusions In addition to elaborating on insights that would be useful in the design and implementation of future interventions, this study contributes to a local inventory of maternal mHealth interventions that may be useful to researchers and implementers in mHealth. This study highlights the need for explanatory studies to elucidate maternal mHealth use, while complementing existing evidence on mHealth effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Sowon
- University of Cape Town, Department of Information Systems, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Priscilla Maliwichi
- University of Cape Town, Department of Information Systems, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Computer Science and Information Technology, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Limbe, Malawi
| | - Wallace Chigona
- University of Cape Town, Department of Information Systems, Cape Town, South Africa
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12
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Onukwugha FI, Smith L, Kaseje D, Wafula C, Kaseje M, Orton B, Hayter M, Magadi M. The effectiveness and characteristics of mHealth interventions to increase adolescent's use of Sexual and Reproductive Health services in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0261973. [PMID: 35061757 PMCID: PMC8782484 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND mHealth innovations have been proposed as an effective solution to improving adolescent access to and use of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services; particularly in regions with deeply entrenched traditional social norms. However, research demonstrating the effectiveness and theoretical basis of the interventions is lacking. AIM Our aim was to describe mHealth intervention components, assesses their effectiveness, acceptability, and cost in improving adolescent's uptake of SRH services in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). METHODS This paper is based on a systematic review. Twenty bibliographic databases and repositories including MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL, were searched using pre-defined search terms. Of the 10, 990 records screened, only 10 studies met the inclusion criteria. The mERA checklist was used to critically assess the transparency and completeness in reporting of mHealth intervention studies. The behaviour change components of mHealth interventions were coded using the taxonomy of Behaviour Change Techniques (BCTs). The protocol was registered in the 'International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews' (PROSPERO-CRD42020179051). RESULTS The results showed that mHealth interventions were effective and improved adolescent's uptake of SRH services across a wide range of services. The evidence was strongest for contraceptive use. Interventions with two-way interactive functions and more behaviour change techniques embedded in the interventions improved adolescent uptake of SRH services to greater extent. Findings suggest that mHealth interventions promoting prevention or treatment adherence for HIV for individuals at risk of or living with HIV are acceptable to adolescents, and are feasible to deliver in SSA. Limited data from two studies reported interventions were inexpensive, however, none of the studies evaluated cost-effectiveness. CONCLUSION There is a need to develop mHealth interventions tailored for adolescents which are theoretically informed and incorporate effective behaviour change techniques. Such interventions, if low cost, have the potential to be a cost-effective means to improve the sexual and reproductive health outcomes in SSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franklin I. Onukwugha
- Institute for Clinical and Applied Health Research (ICAHR), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
| | - Lesley Smith
- Institute for Clinical and Applied Health Research (ICAHR), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
| | - Dan Kaseje
- Tropical Institute of Community Health and Development (TICH), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Charles Wafula
- Tropical Institute of Community Health and Development (TICH), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Margaret Kaseje
- Tropical Institute of Community Health and Development (TICH), Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Bev Orton
- Faculty of Arts, Culture and Education, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Hayter
- Faculty of Health, Psychology & Social Care, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Monica Magadi
- Faculty of Arts, Culture and Education, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom
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13
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Acquah-Gyan E, Acheampong PR, Mohammed A, Adjei TK, Agyapong E, Twumasi-Ankrah S, Sylverken A, Owusu M, Owusu-Dabo E. User experiences of a mobile phone-based health information and surveillance system (mHISS): A case of caregivers of children under-five in rural communities in Ghana. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0261806. [PMID: 35061727 PMCID: PMC8782293 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The rapid advancement of mobile technology has fueled the use of mobile devices for health interventions and for improving healthcare provision in underserved communities. Despite the potential of mHealth being used as a health information and surveillance tool, its scale-up has been challenging and, in most cases, unable to advance beyond the pilot stage of implementation. The purpose of this study was to explore user experiences of a mobile phone-based interactive voice response (IVR) system among caregivers of children under-five in rural communities in the Asante Akim North District of Ghana. Methods The study adopted an exploratory design. A convenience sampling technique was used to recruit 35 participants who had used an IVR system for at least six months for the study. About 11 in-depth interviews and three focus group discussions were conducted among participants using a semi-structured interview guide. Thematic content analysis was utilized for the analysis of data in this study. Result The system was found to be acceptable, and the attitude of caregivers towards the system was also positive. The study discovered that the mobile phone-based Health Information and Surveillance System (mHISS) was useful for improving access to healthcare, communicating with health professionals, served as a decision support system, and improved caregivers’ awareness about self-management of childhood illnesses. Poor network quality, unstable electricity power supply, and dropped/cut calls served as significant barriers to using the mHISS system. Conclusion The mHISS system was generally acceptable and could help improve access to healthcare and identify children with severe health conditions during outbreaks of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Acquah-Gyan
- Department of Global and International Health, College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Princess Ruhama Acheampong
- Department of Global and International Health, College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Aliyu Mohammed
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- * E-mail:
| | - Timothy Kwabena Adjei
- Department of Global and International Health, College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Emmanuel Agyapong
- Department of Global and International Health, College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Sampson Twumasi-Ankrah
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR), Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Augustina Sylverken
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR), Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Michael Owusu
- Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine (KCCR), Kumasi, Ghana
- Department of Medical Diagnostics, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Ellis Owusu-Dabo
- Department of Global and International Health, College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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14
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Addotey-Delove M, Scott RE, Mars M. The development of an instrument to predict patients’ adoption of mHealth in the developing world. INFORMATICS IN MEDICINE UNLOCKED 2022; 29. [PMID: 36119636 PMCID: PMC9479692 DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.2022.100898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Method: Results: Conclusion:
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15
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Schroeder K, Maiarana J, Gisiri M, Joo E, Muiruri C, Zullig L, Masalu N, Vasudevan L. Caregiver Acceptability of Mobile Phone Use for Pediatric Cancer Care in Tanzania: Cross-sectional Questionnaire Study. JMIR Pediatr Parent 2021; 4:e27988. [PMID: 34889763 PMCID: PMC8701707 DOI: 10.2196/27988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a 60% survival gap between children diagnosed with cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and those in high-income countries. Low caregiver knowledge about childhood cancer and its treatment results in presentation delays and subsequent treatment abandonment in LMICs. However, in-person education to improve caregiver knowledge can be challenging due to health worker shortages and inadequate training. Due to the rapid expansion of mobile phone use worldwide, mobile health (mHealth) technologies offer an alternative to delivering in-person education. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to assess patterns of mobile phone ownership and use among Tanzanian caregivers of children diagnosed with cancer as well as their acceptability of an mHealth intervention for cancer education, patient communication, and care coordination. METHODS In July 2017, caregivers of children <18 years diagnosed with cancer and receiving treatment at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) were surveyed to determine mobile phone ownership, use patterns, technology literacy, and acceptability of mobile phone use for cancer education, patient communication, and care coordination. Descriptive statistics were generated from the survey data by using mean and SD values for continuous variables and percentages for binary or categorical variables. RESULTS All eligible caregivers consented to participate and completed the survey. Of the 40 caregivers who enrolled in the study, most used a mobile phone (n=34, 85%) and expressed high acceptability in using these devices to communicate with a health care provider regarding treatment support (n=39, 98%), receiving laboratory results (n=37, 93%), receiving reminders for upcoming appointments (n=38, 95%), and receiving educational information on cancer (n=35, 88%). Although only 9% (3/34) of mobile phone owners owned phones with smartphone capabilities, about 74% (25/34) self-reported they could view and read SMS text messages. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess patterns of mobile phone ownership and use among caregivers of children with cancer in Tanzania. The high rate of mobile phone ownership and caregiver acceptability for a mobile phone-based education and communication strategy suggests that a mobile phone-based intervention, particularly one that utilizes SMS technology, could be feasible in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Schroeder
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States.,Department of Oncology, Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, United Republic of Tanzania.,Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, United States
| | - James Maiarana
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Mwitasrobert Gisiri
- Department of Oncology, Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Emma Joo
- Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Charles Muiruri
- Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, United States.,Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Leah Zullig
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States.,Durham Veterans Affairs Center of Innovation to Accelerate and Practice Transformation, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Nestory Masalu
- Department of Oncology, Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza, United Republic of Tanzania
| | - Lavanya Vasudevan
- Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, United States.,Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
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16
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Sekandi JN, Murray K, Berryman C, Davis-Olwell P, Hurst C, Kakaire R, Kiwanuka N, Whalen CC, Mwaka ES. Ethical, Legal and Sociocultural Issues in the Use of Mobile Technologies and Call Detail Records Data for Public Health Research in the East African Region: A Scoping Review (Preprint). Interact J Med Res 2021; 11:e35062. [PMID: 35533323 PMCID: PMC9204580 DOI: 10.2196/35062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Juliet Nabbuye Sekandi
- Global Health Institute, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Kenya Murray
- Global Health Institute, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Corinne Berryman
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Paula Davis-Olwell
- Global Health Institute, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Caroline Hurst
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Robert Kakaire
- Global Health Institute, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Noah Kiwanuka
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Christopher C Whalen
- Global Health Institute, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Erisa Sabakaki Mwaka
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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17
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Hicks JP, Allsop MJ, Akaba GO, Yalma RM, Dirisu O, Okusanya B, Tukur J, Okunade K, Akeju D, Ajepe A, Okuzu O, Mirzoev T, Ebenso B. Acceptability and Potential Effectiveness of eHealth Tools for Training Primary Health Workers From Nigeria at Scale: Mixed Methods, Uncontrolled Before-and-After Study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2021; 9:e24182. [PMID: 34528891 PMCID: PMC8485189 DOI: 10.2196/24182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The in-service training of frontline health workers (FHWs) in primary health care facilities plays an important role in improving the standard of health care delivery. However, it is often expensive and requires FHWs to leave their posts in rural areas to attend courses in urban centers. This study reports the implementation of a digital health tool for providing video training (VTR) on maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) care to provide in-service training at scale without interrupting health services. The VTR intervention was supported by satellite communications technology and existing 3G mobile networks. OBJECTIVE This study aims to determine the feasibility and acceptability of these digital health tools and their potential effectiveness in improving clinical knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to MNCH care. METHODS A mixed methods design, including an uncontrolled pre- and postquantitative evaluation, was adopted. From October 2017 to May 2018, a VTR mobile intervention was delivered to FHWs in 3 states of Nigeria. We examined changes in workers' knowledge and confidence in delivering MNCH services through a pre- and posttest survey. Stakeholders' experiences with the intervention were explored through semistructured interviews that drew on the technology acceptance model to frame contextual factors that shaped the intervention's acceptability and usability in the work environment. RESULTS In total, 328 FHWs completed both pre- and posttests. FHWs achieved a mean pretest score of 51% (95% CI 48%-54%) and mean posttest score of 69% (95% CI 66%-72%), reflecting, after adjusting for key covariates, a mean increase between the pre- and posttest of 17 percentage points (95% CI 15-19; P<.001). Variation was identified in pre- and posttest scores by the sex and location of participants alongside topic-specific areas where scores were lowest. Stakeholder interviews suggested a wide acceptance of VTR Mobile (delivered via digital technology) as an important tool for enhancing the quality of training, reinforcing knowledge, and improving health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS This study found that VTR supported through a digital technology approach is a feasible and acceptable approach for supporting improvements in clinical knowledge, attitudes, and reported practices in MNCH. The determinants of technology acceptance included ease of use, perceived usefulness, access to technology and training contents, and the cost-effectiveness of VTR, whereas barriers to the adoption of VTR were poor electricity supply, poor internet connection, and FHWs' workload. The evaluation also identified the mechanisms of the impact of delivering VTR Mobile at scale on the micro (individual), meso (organizational), and macro (policy) levels of the health system. Future research is required to explore the translation of this digital health approach for the VTR of FHWs and its impact across low-resource settings to ameliorate the financial and time costs of training and support high-quality MNCH care delivery. TRIAL REGISTRATION ISRCTN Registry 32105372; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN32105372.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Paul Hicks
- Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew John Allsop
- Academic Unit of Palliative Care, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Godwin O Akaba
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Abuja, Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Ramsey M Yalma
- Department of Community Medicine, University of Abuja, Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria
| | | | - Babasola Okusanya
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | | | - Kehinde Okunade
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - David Akeju
- Department of Sociology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Adegbenga Ajepe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
| | - Okey Okuzu
- Instrat Global Health Solutions, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Tolib Mirzoev
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bassey Ebenso
- Nuffield Centre for International Health and Development, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
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18
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Farooqi M, Ullah I, Irfan M, Taseer AR, Almas T, Hasan MM, Asad Khan FM, Alshamlan A, Abdulhadi A, Nagarajan VR. The revival of telemedicine in the age of COVID-19: Benefits and impediments for Pakistan. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2021; 69:102740. [PMID: 34457264 PMCID: PMC8379814 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maheera Farooqi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dow University of Health Science, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Irfan Ullah
- Kabir Medical College, Gandhara University, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | | | | | - Talal Almas
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mohammad Mehedi Hasan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Science, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail, 1902, Bangladesh
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19
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Eze P, Lawani LO, Acharya Y. Short message service (SMS) reminders for childhood immunisation in low-income and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:bmjgh-2021-005035. [PMID: 34290051 PMCID: PMC8296799 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Childhood vaccine delivery services in the low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) are struggling to reach every child with lifesaving vaccines. Short message service (SMS) reminders have demonstrated positive impact on a number of attrition-prone healthcare delivery services. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of SMS reminders in improving immunisation coverage and timeliness in LMICs. Methods PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL, CNKI, PsycINFO and Web of Science including grey literatures and Google Scholar were systematically searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs that evaluated the effect of SMS reminders on childhood immunisation and timeliness in LMICs. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 assessment tool for RCTs and Cochrane Risk of Bias in Non-randomised Studies of Interventions tool for non-RCTs. Meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects models to generate pooled estimates of risk ratio (RR). Results 18 studies, 13 RCTs and 5 non-RCTs involving 32 712 infants (17 135 in intervention groups and 15 577 in control groups) from 11 LMICs met inclusion criteria. Pooled estimates showed that SMS reminders significantly improved childhood immunisation coverage (RR=1.16; 95% CI: 1.10 to 1.21; I2=90.4%). Meta-analysis of 12 included studies involving 25 257 infants showed that SMS reminders significantly improved timely receipt of childhood vaccines (RR=1.21; 95% CI: 1.12 to 1.30; I2=87.3%). Subgroup analysis showed that SMS reminders are significantly more effective in raising childhood immunisation coverage in lower middle-income and low-income countries than in upper middle-income countries (p<0.001) and sending more than two SMS reminders significantly improves timely receipt of childhood vaccines than one or two SMS reminders (p=0.040). Conclusion Current evidence from LMICs, although with significant heterogeneity, suggests that SMS reminders can contribute to achieving high and timely childhood immunisation coverage. PROSPERO registration number CRD42021225843.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Eze
- Department of Health Policy and Administration, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Lucky Osaheni Lawani
- Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yubraj Acharya
- Department of Health Policy and Administration, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
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20
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Stephani V, Opoku D, Otupiri E. Determining the potential of mobilephone-based health interventions in Kumasi, Ghana. Ghana Med J 2021; 54:88-92. [PMID: 33536678 PMCID: PMC7829046 DOI: 10.4314/gmj.v54i2.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Numerous reviews have reported generally positive outcomes of mobile phone-based health (mHealth) interventions in the sub-Saharan African countries, especially for people with non-communicable diseases. At the same time, the mHealth landscape is burdened by a lack of sustainability. A recently published review has identified several context factors that influence the successful implementation of mHealth. Therefore, the aim is to use these contextual factors to assess the potential for mHealth in a particular clinical setting. Design The study used a cross-sectional, descriptive design. Setting The clinical setting of the study was the ‘Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital’ in Kumasi, Ghana. Participants 150 patients attending the diabetes clinic were surveyed. Main outcome measures Context factors that influence the perceived usefulness and ease of use of mHealth. Results The survey revealed that patients at the diabetes centre had a positive attitude towards mobile phones, but also a low familiarity. Whereas patients faced several access barriers to care, most enabling resources for the successful and sustainable implementation of mHealth interventions such as access to mobile phones and electricity were available. Conclusions There is a high potential for mHealth in the setting of the diabetes clinic in Kumasi, Ghana. Funding None Declared
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Stephani
- Department of Health Care Management, Technical University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Opoku
- Department of Health Care Management, Technical University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Easmon Otupiri
- School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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21
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Manji K, Hanefeld J, Vearey J, Walls H, de Gruchy T. Using WhatsApp messenger for health systems research: a scoping review of available literature. Health Policy Plan 2021; 36:594-605. [PMID: 33860314 PMCID: PMC8173666 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czab024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, the use of mobile phones for improving access to healthcare and conducting health research has gained traction in recent years as rates of ownership increase, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Mobile instant messaging applications, including WhatsApp Messenger, provide new and affordable opportunities for health research across time and place, potentially addressing the challenges of maintaining contact and participation involved in research with migrant and mobile populations, for example. However, little is known about the opportunities and challenges associated with the use of WhatsApp as a tool for health research. To inform our study, we conducted a scoping review of published health research that uses WhatsApp as a data collection tool. A key reason for focusing on WhatsApp is the ability to retain contact with participants when they cross international borders. Five key public health databases were searched for articles containing the words ‘WhatsApp’ and ‘health research’ in their titles and abstracts. We identified 69 articles, 16 of which met our inclusion criteria for review. We extracted data pertaining to the characteristics of the research. Across the 16 studies—11 of which were based in LMICs—WhatsApp was primarily used in one of two ways. In the eight quantitative studies identified, seven used WhatsApp to send hyperlinks to online surveys. With one exception, the eight studies that employed a qualitative (n = 6) or mixed-method (n = 2) design analysed the WhatsApp content generated through a WhatsApp-based programmatic intervention. We found a lack of attention paid to research ethics across the studies, which is concerning given the controversies WhatsApp has faced with regard to data protection in relation to end-to-end encryption. We provide recommendations to address these issues for researchers considering using WhatsApp as a data collection tool over time and place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karima Manji
- Department of Global Health and Development Affiliation, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), 15-17 Tavistock Place, Kings Cross, London WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Johanna Hanefeld
- Department of Global Health and Development Affiliation, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), 15-17 Tavistock Place, Kings Cross, London WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Jo Vearey
- The African Centre for Migration & Society (ACMS), University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Solomon Mahlangu House, Braamfontein Campus East, Private Bag 3, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
| | - Helen Walls
- Department of Global Health and Development Affiliation, Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), 15-17 Tavistock Place, Kings Cross, London WC1H 9SH, UK
| | - Thea de Gruchy
- The African Centre for Migration & Society (ACMS), University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Solomon Mahlangu House, Braamfontein Campus East, Private Bag 3, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
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22
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Desrosiers A, Schafer C, Esliker R, Jambai M, Betancourt T. mHealth-Supported Delivery of an Evidence-Based Family Home-Visiting Intervention in Sierra Leone: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2021; 10:e25443. [PMID: 33528371 PMCID: PMC7946434 DOI: 10.2196/25443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Past trauma and exposure to violence have been related to poor emotion regulation and household violence, which can have persistent mental health effects across generations. The Family Strengthening Intervention for Early Childhood Development (FSI-ECD/called Sugira Muryango in Rwanda) is an evidence-based behavioral home-visiting intervention to promote caregiver mental health, positive parenting practices, and early childhood development among families facing adversity. In Sierra Leone and other lower- and middle-income countries, mobile health (mHealth) technology has the potential to improve health care delivery and health outcomes. Objective This study aims to (1) apply a user-centered design to develop and test mHealth tools to improve supervision and fidelity monitoring of community health workers (CHWs) delivering the FSI-ECD and (2) conduct a pilot randomized controlled trial of the FSI-ECD to assess feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects on caregiver mental health, emotion regulation, caregiving behaviors, and family violence in high-risk families with children aged 6-36 months in comparison with control families receiving standard care. Methods We will recruit and enroll CHWs, supervisors, and families with a child aged 6-36 months from community health clinics in Sierra Leone. CHWs and supervisors will participate in 1 problem analysis focus group and 2 user interface/user experience cycles to provide feedback on mHealth tool prototypes. Families will be randomized to mHealth-supported FSI-ECD or standard maternal and child health services. We will collect quantitative data on caregiver mental health, emotion regulation, caregiving behaviors, and family functioning at baseline, postintervention, and 3-month follow up. We will use a mixed methods approach to explore feasibility and acceptability of mHealth tools and the FSI-ECD. Mixed effects linear modeling will assess FSI-ECD effects on caregiver outcomes. Cost-effectiveness analysis will estimate costs across FSI-ECD versus standard care. Results Funding for this study was received from the National Institutes of Mental Health on August 17, 2020. Institutional Review Board approval was received on September 4, 2020. Data collection is projected to begin on December 15, 2020. Conclusions This study will provide important data on the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of mHealth-supported delivery of an evidence-based family home-visiting intervention in a postconflict LMIC. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04481399; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04481399. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/25443
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carolyn Schafer
- Boston College, School of Social Work, Chestnut Hill, MA, United States
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Tweheyo R, Selig H, Gibson DG, Pariyo GW, Rutebemberwa E. User Perceptions and Experiences of an Interactive Voice Response Mobile Phone Survey Pilot in Uganda: Qualitative Study. JMIR Form Res 2020; 4:e21671. [PMID: 33270037 PMCID: PMC7746503 DOI: 10.2196/21671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background With the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases in low- and middle- income countries, the World Health Organization recommended a stepwise approach of surveillance for noncommunicable diseases. This is expensive to conduct on a frequent basis and using interactive voice response mobile phone surveys has been put forth as an alternative. However, there is limited evidence on how to design and deliver interactive voice response calls that are robust and acceptable to respondents. Objective This study aimed to explore user perceptions and experiences of receiving and responding to an interactive voice response call in Uganda in order to adapt and refine the instrument prior to national deployment. Methods A qualitative study design was used and comprised a locally translated audiorecorded interactive voice response survey delivered in 4 languages to 59 purposively selected participants' mobile phones in 5 survey rounds guided by data saturation. The interactive voice response survey had modules on sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, diabetes, and hypertension. After the interactive voice response survey, study staff called participants back and used a semistructured interview to collect information on the participant’s perceptions of interactive voice response call audibility, instruction clarity, interview pace, language courtesy and appropriateness, the validity of questions, and the lottery incentive. Descriptive statistics were used for the interactive voice response survey, while a framework analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. Results Key findings that favored interactive voice response survey participation or completion included preference for brief surveys of 10 minutes or shorter, preference for evening calls between 6 PM and 10 PM, preference for courteous language, and favorable perceptions of the lottery-type incentive. While key findings curtailing participation were suspicion about the caller’s identity, unclear voice, confusing skip patterns, difficulty with the phone interface such as for selecting inappropriate digits for both ordinary and smartphones, and poor network connectivity for remote and rural participants. Conclusions Interactive voice response surveys should be as brief as possible and considerate of local preferences to increase completion rates. Caller credibility needs to be enhanced through either masking the caller or prior community mobilization. There is need to evaluate the preferred timing of interactive voice response calls, as the finding of evening call preference is inconclusive and might be contextual.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Tweheyo
- Department of Health Policy Planning and Management, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda.,Department of Public Health, Lira University, Lira, Uganda
| | - Hannah Selig
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Dustin G Gibson
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - George William Pariyo
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Elizeus Rutebemberwa
- Department of Health Policy Planning and Management, Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda
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24
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Okello S, Muhihi A, Mohamed SF, Ameh S, Ochimana C, Oluwasanu AO, Bolarinwa OA, Sewankambo N, Danaei G. Hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control and predicted 10-year CVD risk: a cross-sectional study of seven communities in East and West Africa (SevenCEWA). BMC Public Health 2020; 20:1706. [PMID: 33187491 PMCID: PMC7666461 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09829-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few studies have characterized the epidemiology and management of hypertension across several communities with comparable methodologies in sub-Saharan Africa. We assessed prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension and predicted 10-year cardiovascular disease risk across seven sites in East and West Africa. METHODS Between June and August 2018, we conducted household surveys among adults aged 18 years and above in 7 communities in Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda. Following a standardized protocol, we collected data on socio-demographics, health insurance, and healthcare utilization; and measured blood pressure using digital blood pressure monitors. We estimated the 10-year cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk using a country-specific risk score and fitted hierarchical models to identify determinants of hypertension prevalence, awareness, and treatment. RESULTS We analyzed data of 3549 participants. The mean age was 39·7 years (SD 15·4), 60·5% of whom were women, 9·6% had ever smoked cigarettes, and 32·7% were overweight/obese. A quarter of the participants (25·4%) had hypertension, more than a half of whom (57·2%) were aware that they had diagnosed hypertension. Among those diagnosed, 50·5% were taking medication, and among those taking medication 47·3% had controlled blood pressure. After adjusting for other determinants, older age was associated with increased hypertension prevalence, awareness, and treatment whereas primary education was associated with lower hypertension prevalence. Health insurance was associated with lower hypertension prevalence and higher chances of treatment. Median predicted 10-yr CVD risk across sites was 4·9% (Interquartile range (IQR), 2·4%, 10·3%) and 13·2% had predicted 10-year CVD risk of 20% or greater while 7·1% had predicted 10-year CVD risk of > 30%. CONCLUSION In seven communities in east and west Africa, a quarter of participants had hypertension, about 40% were unaware, half of those aware were treated, and half of those treated had controlled blood pressure. The 10-year predicted CVD risk was low across sites. Access to health insurance is needed to improve awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samson Okello
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, P. O Box 1410, Mbarara, Uganda. .,Lown Scholars Program, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA. .,Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Health Systems, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
| | - Alfa Muhihi
- Lown Scholars Program, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Africa Academy for Public Health, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.,Department of Community Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Shukri F Mohamed
- Lown Scholars Program, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Health and Systems for Health Unit, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Soter Ameh
- Lown Scholars Program, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
| | - Caleb Ochimana
- Lown Scholars Program, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Ochimana Caleb Foundation, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria
| | - Abayomi Olabayo Oluwasanu
- Lown Scholars Program, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,University Health Services, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Oladimeji Akeem Bolarinwa
- Lown Scholars Program, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Nelson Sewankambo
- Lown Scholars Program, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,College of Health Sciences, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Goodarz Danaei
- Lown Scholars Program, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Global Health and Population, Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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25
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Bruce C, Harrison P, Giammattei C, Desai SN, Sol JR, Jones S, Schwartz R. Evaluating Patient-Centered Mobile Health Technologies: Definitions, Methodologies, and Outcomes. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2020; 8:e17577. [PMID: 33174846 PMCID: PMC7688390 DOI: 10.2196/17577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Several recently published studies and consensus statements have demonstrated that there is only modest (and in many cases, low-quality) evidence that mobile health (mHealth) can improve patient clinical outcomes such as the length of stay or reduction of readmissions. There is also uncertainty as to whether mHealth can improve patient-centered outcomes such as patient engagement or patient satisfaction. One principal challenge behind the “effectiveness” research in this field is a lack of common understanding about what it means to be effective in the digital space (ie, what should constitute a relevant outcome and how best to measure it). In this viewpoint, we call for interdisciplinary, conceptual clarity on the definitions, methodologies, and patient-centered outcomes frequently used in mHealth research. To formulate our recommendations, we used a snowballing approach to identify relevant definitions, outcomes, and methodologies related to mHealth. To begin, we drew heavily upon previously published detailed frameworks that enumerate definitions and measurements of engagement. We built upon these frameworks by extracting other relevant measures of patient-centered care, such as patient satisfaction, patient experience, and patient activation. We describe several definitional inconsistencies for key constructs in the mHealth literature. In an effort to achieve clarity, we tease apart several patient-centered care outcomes, and outline methodologies appropriate to measure each of these patient-care outcomes. By creating a common pathway linking definitions with outcomes and methodologies, we provide a possible interdisciplinary approach to evaluating mHealth technologies. With the broader goal of creating an interdisciplinary approach, we also provide several recommendations that we believe can advance mHealth research and implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtenay Bruce
- System Quality & Patient Safety, Houston Methodist System, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Patricia Harrison
- System Quality & Patient Safety, Houston Methodist System, Houston, TX, United States
| | | | - Shetal-Nicholas Desai
- Center for Innovation, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States.,Information Technology Division, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Joshua R Sol
- Center for Innovation, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States.,Information Technology Division, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Stephen Jones
- Center for Outcomes Research, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Surgery, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Roberta Schwartz
- Center for Innovation, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, United States
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26
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Bucher SL, Cardellichio P, Muinga N, Patterson JK, Thukral A, Deorari AK, Data S, Umoren R, Purkayastha S. Digital Health Innovations, Tools, and Resources to Support Helping Babies Survive Programs. Pediatrics 2020; 146:S165-S182. [PMID: 33004639 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2020-016915i] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The Helping Babies Survive (HBS) initiative features a suite of evidence-based curricula and simulation-based training programs designed to provide health workers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with the knowledge, skills, and competencies to prevent, recognize, and manage leading causes of newborn morbidity and mortality. Global scale-up of HBS initiatives has been rapid. As HBS initiatives rolled out across LMIC settings, numerous bottlenecks, gaps, and barriers to the effective, consistent dissemination and implementation of the programs, across both the pre- and in-service continuums, emerged. Within the first decade of expansive scale-up of HBS programs, mobile phone ownership and access to cellular networks have also concomitantly surged in LMICs. In this article, we describe a number of HBS digital health innovations and resources that have been developed from 2010 to 2020 to support education and training, data collection for monitoring and evaluation, clinical decision support, and quality improvement. Helping Babies Survive partners and stakeholders can potentially integrate the described digital tools with HBS dissemination and implementation efforts in a myriad of ways to support low-dose high-frequency skills practice, in-person refresher courses, continuing medical and nursing education, on-the-job training, or peer-to-peer learning, and strengthen data collection for key newborn care and quality improvement indicators and outcomes. Thoughtful integration of purpose-built digital health tools, innovations, and resources may assist HBS practitioners to more effectively disseminate and implement newborn care programs in LMICs, and facilitate progress toward the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal health goals, targets, and objectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherri L Bucher
- Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana; .,Eck Institute for Global Health, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
| | | | - Naomi Muinga
- Kenya Medical Research Institute Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Jackie K Patterson
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Anu Thukral
- Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Ashok K Deorari
- Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Santorino Data
- Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Rachel Umoren
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington.,Department of Global Health, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; and
| | - Saptarshi Purkayastha
- Department of Data Science and Health Informatics, School of Informatics and Computing, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
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Harder VS, Musau AM, Musyimi CW, Ndetei DM, Mutiso VN. A randomized clinical trial of mobile phone motivational interviewing for alcohol use problems in Kenya. Addiction 2020; 115:1050-1060. [PMID: 31782966 PMCID: PMC8353663 DOI: 10.1111/add.14903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
AIM To test the effectiveness of a motivational interviewing (MI) intervention using the mobile phone among adults with alcohol use problems. DESIGN A randomized clinical trial of mobile MI and standard in-person MI with 1- and 6-month follow-up, including a 1-month waitlist control followed by mobile MI. SETTING A primary health center in rural Kenya. PARTICIPANTS Three hundred adults screening positive for alcohol use problems were randomized and received immediate mobile MI (n = 89), in-person MI (n = 65) or delayed mobile MI (n = 76) for waiting-list controls 1 month after no treatment, with 70 unable to be reached for intervention. INTERVENTION AND COMPARATOR One MI session was provided either immediately by mobile phone, in-person at the health center or delayed by 1 month and then provided by mobile phone. MEASUREMENTS Alcohol use problems were repeatedly assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) and the shorter AUDIT-C. The primary outcome was difference in alcohol score 1 month after no intervention for waiting-list control versus 1 month after MI for mobile MI. The secondary outcomes were difference in alcohol score for in-person MI versus mobile MI one and 6 months after MI. FINDINGS For our primary outcome, average AUDIT-C scores were nearly three points higher (difference = 2.88, 95% confidence interval = 2.11, 3.66) for waiting-list controls after 1 month of no intervention versus mobile MI 1 month after intervention. Results for secondary outcomes supported the null hypothesis of no difference between in-person and mobile MI at 1 month (Bayes factor = 0.22), but were inconclusive at 6 months (Bayes factor = 0.41). CONCLUSION Mobile phone-based motivational interviewing may be an effective treatment for alcohol use problems among adults visiting primary care in Kenya. Providing mobile motivational interviewing may help clinicians in rural areas to reach patients needing treatment for alcohol use problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie S. Harder
- University of Vermont, Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, 1 S. Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, 05401 USA,Africa Mental Health Foundation, P.O. Box 48423-00100, Nairobi, Kenya,CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Valerie S. Harder, PhD, MHS, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, 1 S. Prospect Street, Burlington, VT, 05401 USA, , Phone: 802-656-8210
| | - Abednego M. Musau
- Africa Mental Health Foundation, P.O. Box 48423-00100, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - David M. Ndetei
- Africa Mental Health Foundation, P.O. Box 48423-00100, Nairobi, Kenya,University of Nairobi, Department of Psychiatry, P.O. Box 19676-00202, Nairobi, Kenya
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28
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Lee S, Begley CE, Morgan R, Chan W, Kim SY. Addition of mHealth (mobile health) for family planning support in Kenya: disparities in access to mobile phones and associations with contraceptive knowledge and use. Int Health 2020; 11:463-471. [PMID: 30576546 DOI: 10.1093/inthealth/ihy092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently mobile health (mHealth) has been implemented in Kenya to support family planning. Our objectives were to investigate disparities in mobile phone ownership and to examine the associations between exposure to family planning messages through mHealth (stand-alone or combined with other channels such as public forums, informational materials, health workers, social media and political/religious/community leaders' advocacy) and contraceptive knowledge and use. METHODS Logistic and Poisson regression models were used to analyze the 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey. RESULTS Among 31 059 women, 86.7% had mobile phones and were more likely to have received higher education, have children ≤5 y of age and tended to be wealthier or married. Among 7397 women who were sexually active, owned a mobile phone and received family planning messages through at least one channel, 89.8% had no exposure to mHealth. mHealth alone was limited in improving contraceptive knowledge and use but led to intended outcomes when used together with four other channels compared with other channels only (knowledge: incidence rate ratio 1.084 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.063-1.106]; use: odds ratio 1.429 [95% CI 1.026-1.989]). CONCLUSIONS Socio-economic disparities existed in mobile phone ownership, and mHealth alone did not improve contraceptive knowledge and use among Kenyan women. However, mHealth still has potential for family planning when used with existing channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seohyun Lee
- Department of Management, Policy and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Charles E Begley
- Department of Management, Policy and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Robert Morgan
- Department of Management, Policy and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Wenyaw Chan
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sun-Young Kim
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
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29
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Balikuddembe JK, Reinhardt JD. Can Digitization of Health Care Help Low-Resourced Countries Provide Better Community-Based Rehabilitation Services? Phys Ther 2020; 100:217-224. [PMID: 31680158 DOI: 10.1093/ptj/pzz162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
In the wake of globalization, proliferation of digital technologies (DTs) is rapidly changing many activities across sectors, including influencing health to "go digital." Harnessing opportunities of DTs can be a pathway for delivery of health services, such as community-based rehabilitation (CBR) to the vulnerable groups of populations, particularly those in countries with low resources where health systems are weak and experiencing a deficit of trained health workers necessary to effectively deliver a full spectrum of health services. This perspective explored how some DTs can be leveraged in delivery of CBR services in rural and remote areas of countries with low resources. This is described based on information access and exchange, social satisfaction, shortages of rehabilitation workforce, professional development, and capacity building. However, since seizing advantages of DTs can inevitably be associated with spillovers and limitations, including needs prioritization, skills and language limitations, internet addiction and censorship issues, professionalism and ethical dilemmas, and sustainability, if proper measures are not taken, a caution is made. Moreover, as DTs are revolutionizing various activities across sectors, including health, this is not meant as a substitute for traditional health care activities, including those delivered through CBR, but rather to augment their delivery in settings with low resources and elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Kimuli Balikuddembe
- Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction, Sichuan University and Hong Kong Polytechnic University, No 122, Huanghe Middle Road Section 1, Shuangliu District, Chengdu, PRC, Sichuan People's Republic of China
| | - Jan D Reinhardt
- Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction, Sichuan University and Hong Kong Polytechnic University
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Mogoba P, Gomba Y, Brittain K, Phillips TK, Zerbe A, Myer L, Abrams EJ. Re-recruiting postpartum women living with HIV into a follow-up study in Cape Town, South Africa. BMC Res Notes 2019; 12:461. [PMID: 31349853 PMCID: PMC6660934 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-019-4509-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Recruitment and retention present major challenges to longitudinal research in maternal and child health, yet there are few insights into optimal strategies that can be employed in low-resource settings. Following prior participation in a longitudinal study following women living with HIV through pregnancy and breastfeeding in Cape Town, women were re-contacted at least 18 months after the last study contact and were invited to attend an additional follow-up visit. We describe lessons learnt and offer recommendations for a multiphase recruitment approach. Results Using telephone calls, home visits, clinic tracing and Facebook/WhatsApp messages, we located 387 of the 463 eligible women and successfully enrolled 353 (91% of those contacted). Phone calls were the most successful strategy, yielding 67% of enrolments. Over half of the women had changed their contact information since participation in the previous study. We recommend that researchers collect multiple contact details and use several recruitment strategies in parallel from the start of a study. Participants in longitudinal studies may require frequent contact to update contact information, particularly in settings where mobility is common. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-019-4509-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phepo Mogoba
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa. .,Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Level 5, Falmouth Building, Anzio Road, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Yolanda Gomba
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kirsty Brittain
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Level 5, Falmouth Building, Anzio Road, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Tamsin K Phillips
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Level 5, Falmouth Building, Anzio Road, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Allison Zerbe
- ICAP at Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Landon Myer
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Level 5, Falmouth Building, Anzio Road, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Elaine J Abrams
- ICAP at Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, USA
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Avanesova AA, Shamliyan TA. Worldwide implementation of telemedicine programs in association with research performance and health policy. HEALTH POLICY AND TECHNOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hlpt.2019.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Opoku D, Busse R, Quentin W. Achieving Sustainability and Scale-Up of Mobile Health Noncommunicable Disease Interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa: Views of Policy Makers in Ghana. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2019; 7:e11497. [PMID: 31066706 PMCID: PMC6524449 DOI: 10.2196/11497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A growing body of evidence shows that mobile health (mHealth) interventions may improve treatment and care for the rapidly rising number of patients with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). A recent realist review developed a framework highlighting the influence of context factors, including predisposing characteristics, needs, and enabling resources (PNE), for the long-term success of mHealth interventions. The views of policy makers will ultimately determine implementation and scale-up of mHealth interventions in SSA. However, their views about necessary conditions for sustainability and scale-up remain unexplored. Objective This study aimed to understand the views of policy makers in Ghana with regard to the most important factors for successful implementation, sustainability, and scale-up of mHealth NCD interventions. Methods Members of the technical working group responsible for Ghana’s national NCD policy were interviewed about their knowledge of and attitude toward mHealth and about the most important factors contributing to long-term intervention success. Using qualitative methods and applying a qualitative content analysis approach, answers were categorized according to the PNE framework. Results A total of 19 policy makers were contacted and 13 were interviewed. Interviewees had long-standing work experience of an average of 26 years and were actively involved in health policy making in Ghana. They were well-informed about the potential of mHealth, and they strongly supported mHealth expansion in the country. Guided by the PNE framework’s categories, the policy makers ascertained which critical factors would support the successful implementation of mHealth interventions in Ghana. The policy makers mentioned many factors described in the literature as important for mHealth implementation, sustainability, and scale-up, but they focused more on enabling resources than on predisposing characteristics and need. Furthermore, they mentioned several factors that have been rather unexplored in the literature. Conclusions The study shows that the PNE framework is useful to guide policy makers toward a more systematic assessment of context factors that support intervention implementation, sustainability, and scale-up. Furthermore, the framework was refined by adding additional factors. Policy makers may benefit from using the PNE framework at the various stages of mHealth implementation. Researchers may (and should) use the framework when investigating reasons for success (or failure) of interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Opoku
- Faculty VII Economics and Management, Institute of Technology and Management, Department of Health Care Management, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Reinhard Busse
- Faculty VII Economics and Management, Institute of Technology and Management, Department of Health Care Management, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wilm Quentin
- Faculty VII Economics and Management, Institute of Technology and Management, Department of Health Care Management, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Pérez-Manchón D. Telemedicine and African children treated in Spain. Sanitary strategy innovation in international cooperation. Rev Clin Esp 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rceng.2018.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Pérez-Manchón D. Telemedicina y niños africanos tratados en España. Estrategia de innovación sanitaria en cooperación internacional. Rev Clin Esp 2018; 218:451-453. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rce.2018.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Prosser C, Meyer W, Ellis J, Lee R. Evolutionary ARMS Race: Antimalarial Resistance Molecular Surveillance. Trends Parasitol 2018; 34:322-334. [PMID: 29396203 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Molecular surveillance of antimalarial drug resistance markers has become an important part of resistance detection and containment. In the current climate of multidrug resistance, including resistance to the global front-line drug artemisinin, there is a consensus to upscale molecular surveillance. The most salient limitation to current surveillance efforts is that skill and infrastructure requirements preclude many regions. This includes sub-Saharan Africa, where Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for most of the global malaria disease burden. New molecular and data technologies have emerged with an emphasis on accessibility. These may allow surveillance to be conducted in broad settings where it is most needed, including at the primary healthcare level in endemic countries, and extending to the village health worker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Prosser
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Clinical School-Sydney Medical School, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
| | - Wieland Meyer
- Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Clinical School-Sydney Medical School, Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - John Ellis
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rogan Lee
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology & Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
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