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Pamungkas DR, O'Sullivan B, McGrail M, Chater B. Tools, frameworks and resources to guide global action on strengthening rural health systems: a mapping review. Health Res Policy Syst 2023; 21:129. [PMID: 38049824 PMCID: PMC10694960 DOI: 10.1186/s12961-023-01078-3] [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: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inequities of health outcomes persist in rural populations globally. This is strongly associated with there being less health coverage in rural and underserviced areas. Increasing health care coverage in rural area requires rural health system strengthening, which subsequently necessitates having tools to guide action. OBJECTIVE This mapping review aimed to describe the range of tools, frameworks and resources (hereafter called tools) available globally for rural health system capacity building. METHODS This study collected peer-reviewed materials published in 15-year period (2005-2020). A systematic mapping review process identified 149 articles for inclusion, related to 144 tools that had been developed, implemented, and/or evaluated (some tools reported over multiple articles) which were mapped against the World Health Organization's (WHO's) six health system building blocks (agreed as the elements that need to be addressed to strengthen health systems). RESULTS The majority of tools were from high- and middle-income countries (n = 85, 59% and n = 43, 29%, respectively), and only 17 tools (12%) from low-income countries. Most tools related to the health service building block (n = 57, 39%), or workforce (n = 33, 23%). There were a few tools related to information and leadership and governance (n = 8, 5% each). Very few tools related to infrastructure (n = 3, 2%) and financing (n = 4, 3%). This mapping review also provided broad quality appraisal, showing that the majority of the tools had been evaluated or validated, or both (n = 106, 74%). CONCLUSION This mapping review provides evidence that there is a breadth of tools available for health system strengthening globally along with some gaps where no tools were identified for specific health system building blocks. Furthermore, most tools were developed and applied in HIC/MIC and it is important to consider factors that influence their utility in LMIC settings. It may be important to develop new tools related to infrastructure and financing. Tools that have been positively evaluated should be made available to all rural communities, to ensure comprehensive global action on rural health system strengthening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dewi Retno Pamungkas
- Mayne Academy of Rural and Remote Medicine, Rural and Remote Medicine Clinical Unit, Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Theodore, QLD, Australia.
| | - Belinda O'Sullivan
- Toowoomba Regional Clinical Unit, Rural Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD, Australia.
- Murray Primary Health Network, Bendigo, VIC, Australia.
| | - Matthew McGrail
- Rockhampton Regional Clinical Unit, Rural Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia
| | - Bruce Chater
- Mayne Academy of Rural and Remote Medicine, Rural and Remote Medicine Clinical Unit, Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Theodore, QLD, Australia
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Gresh A, Batchelder A, Glass N, Mambulasa J, Kapito E, MacDonald A, Ngutwa N, Plesko C, Chirwa E, Patil CL. Adapting group care to the postpartum period using a human-centered design approach in Malawi. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:1098. [PMID: 37838673 PMCID: PMC10576327 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10036-2] [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: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Responsive and resilient strategies to reduce high rates of maternal and infant mortality and clinician shortages are needed in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Malawi has some of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates globally. Group healthcare is a service delivery model that integrates these strategies. Although primarily implemented during the prenatal period, its potential for improving both maternal and infant health outcomes during the postpartum period has not been realized. The purpose of this study was to adapt and co-design the prototype for an evidence-based group care model for the postpartum period using a human-centered design approach with key stakeholders in Malawi. METHODS We completed steps of a framework guiding the use of human-centered design: 1) define the problem and assemble a team; 2) gather information through evidence and inspiration; 3) synthesize; and 4) intervention design: guiding principles and ideation. Qualitative methods were used to complete steps 2-4. In-depth interviews (n = 24), and incubator sessions (n = 6) that employed free listing, pile sorting and ranking were completed with key stakeholders. Data analysis consisted of content analysis of interviews and framework analysis for incubator sessions to produce the integrated group postpartum and well-child care model prototype. The fifth step is detailed in a separate paper. RESULTS All stakeholders reported a desire to participate in and offer group care in the postpartum period. Stakeholders worked collaboratively to co-create the prototype that included a curriculum of health promotion topics and interactive activities and the service delivery structure. Health promotion topic priorities were hygiene, breastfeeding, family planning, nutrition, and mental health. The recommended schedule included 6 sessions corresponding with the child vaccination schedule over the 12-month postpartum period. CONCLUSIONS Using a human-centered design approach to adapt an evidence-based group care model in an LMIC, specifically Malawi, is feasible and acceptable to key stakeholders and resulted in a prototype curriculum and practical strategies for clinic implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Gresh
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, 525 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA.
| | - Anne Batchelder
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, 525 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - Nancy Glass
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, 525 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - Janet Mambulasa
- Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Private Bag 360, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi
| | - Esnath Kapito
- Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Private Bag 360, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi
| | - Amy MacDonald
- Pomelo Care, Hillsborough, North Carolina, USA
- Group Care Global, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nellie Ngutwa
- Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Private Bag 360, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi
| | - Cori Plesko
- Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, 525 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA
| | - Ellen Chirwa
- Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Private Bag 360, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi
| | - Crystal L Patil
- School of Nursing, University of Michigan, 400 N. Ingalls, Suite 3320, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
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Thomas V, Kalidindi B, Waghmare A, Bhatia A, Raj T, Balsari S. The Vinyasa Tool for mHealth Solutions: Supporting Human-Centered Design in Nascent Digital Health Ecosystems. JMIR Form Res 2023; 7:e45250. [PMID: 37607881 PMCID: PMC10580130 DOI: 10.2196/45250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND mHealth (mobile health) systems have been deployed widely in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) for health system strengthening, requiring considerable resource allocation. However, most solutions have not achieved scale or sustainability. Poor usability and failure to address perceived needs are among the principal reasons mHealth systems fail to achieve acceptance and adoption by health care workers. A human-centered design approach to improving mHealth system use requires an exploration of users' perceptions of mHealth systems, including the environmental, user-related, and technological aspects of a system. At present, there is a dearth of contextually intelligent tools available to mHealth developers that can guide such exploration before full-scale development and deployment. OBJECTIVE To develop a tool to aid optimization of mHealth solutions in LMICs to facilitate human-centered design and, consequently, successful adoption. METHODS We collated findings and themes from key qualitative studies on mHealth deployment in LMICs. We then used the Informatics Stack framework by Lehmann to label, sort, and collate findings and themes into a list of questions that explore the environment, users, artifacts, information governance, and interoperability of mHealth systems deployed in LMICs. RESULTS We developed the Vinyasa Tool to aid qualitative research about the need and usability of mHealth solutions in LMICs. The tool is a guide for focus group discussions and key informant interviews with community-based health care workers and primary care medical personnel who use or are expected to use proposed mHealth solutions. The tool consists of 71 questions organized in 11 sections that unpack and explore multiple aspects of mHealth systems from the perspectives of their users. These include the wider world and organization in which an mHealth solution is deployed; the roles, functions, workflow, and adoption behavior of a system's users; the security, privacy, and interoperability afforded by a system; and the artifacts of an information system-the data, information, knowledge, algorithms, and technology that constitute the system. The tool can be deployed in whole or in part, depending on the context of the study. CONCLUSIONS The Vinyasa Tool is the first such comprehensive qualitative research instrument incorporating questions contextualized to the LMIC setting. We expect it to find wide application among mHealth developers, health system administrators, and researchers developing and deploying mHealth tools for use by patients, providers, and administrators. The tool is expected to guide users toward human-centered design with the goal of improving relevance, usability, and, therefore, adoption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verghese Thomas
- Division of Medical Informatics, St John's Research Institute, Bangalore, India
| | - Bharat Kalidindi
- Division of Medical Informatics, St John's Research Institute, Bangalore, India
| | - Abijeet Waghmare
- Division of Medical Informatics, St John's Research Institute, Bangalore, India
| | - Abhishek Bhatia
- Carolina Health Informatics Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Tony Raj
- Division of Medical Informatics, St John's Research Institute, Bangalore, India
- Department of Physiology, St John's Medical College, Bangalore, India
| | - Satchit Balsari
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
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Reñosa MDC, Wachinger J, Guevarra JR, Landicho-Guevarra J, Aligato MF, Endoma V, Landicho J, Bravo TA, Malacad C, Demonteverde MP, Silvestre C, Bärnighausen K, Bärnighausen T, Chase RP, McMahon SA. Human-centred design bolsters vaccine confidence in the Philippines: results of a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e012613. [PMID: 37865401 PMCID: PMC10603469 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The public's confidence in vaccinations has eroded, and anti-vaccination movements have gained traction around the world, including in the Philippines. 'Salubong', a Filipino term, refers to welcoming someone back into one's life and elicits ideas about friendship and family relationships. We extended this concept to vaccines in efforts to design an intervention that would re-welcome vaccines into homes. METHODS Using human-centred design, we developed and refined a story-based intervention that engages Filipino families, community leaders and community health workers. We conducted a randomised controlled trial among 719 caregivers of small children to test the developed intervention against a control video. We assessed the binary improvement (improvement vs no improvement) and the amount of improvement in vaccine attitudes and intentions after intervention exposure. RESULTS Although the intervention group began with marginally higher baseline vaccine attitude scores, we found that 62% of the intervention group improved their vaccine attitude scores versus 37% of the control group (Fisher's exact, p<0.001). Among individuals whose scores improved after watching the assigned video, the intervention group saw higher mean attitude score improvements on the 5-point scale (Cohen's d=0.32 with 95% CI 0.10 to 0.54, two-sided t-test, p<0.01). We observed similar patterns among participants who stated that they had previously delayed or refused a vaccine for their child: 67% of 74 in the intervention group improved their vaccine attitude scores versus 42% of 54 in the control group (Fisher's exact, p<0.001). Among the subset of these individuals whose scores improved after watching the assigned video, the intervention group saw higher mean attitude score improvements on the 5-point scale that were marginally significant (Cohen's d=0.35 with 95% CI -0.01 to 0.70, two-sided t-test, p=0.06). CONCLUSIONS Our results provide solid evidence for the potential of co-designed vaccine confidence campaigns and regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Donald C Reñosa
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine - Department of Health, Muntinlupa City, Philippines
| | - Jonas Wachinger
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jerric Rhazel Guevarra
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine - Department of Health, Muntinlupa City, Philippines
| | - Jhoys Landicho-Guevarra
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine - Department of Health, Muntinlupa City, Philippines
| | - Mila F Aligato
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine - Department of Health, Muntinlupa City, Philippines
| | - Vivienne Endoma
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine - Department of Health, Muntinlupa City, Philippines
| | - Jeniffer Landicho
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine - Department of Health, Muntinlupa City, Philippines
| | - Thea Andrea Bravo
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine - Department of Health, Muntinlupa City, Philippines
| | - Carol Malacad
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine - Department of Health, Muntinlupa City, Philippines
| | - Maria Paz Demonteverde
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine - Department of Health, Muntinlupa City, Philippines
| | - Catherine Silvestre
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Research Institute for Tropical Medicine - Department of Health, Muntinlupa City, Philippines
| | - Kate Bärnighausen
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg-Braamfontein, South Africa
| | - Till Bärnighausen
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
| | - Rachel P Chase
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Shannon A McMahon
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- International Health Department, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Greuel M, Sy F, Bärnighausen T, Adam M, Vandormael A, Gates J, Harling G. Community Health Worker Use of Smart Devices for Health Promotion: Scoping Review. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2023; 11:e42023. [PMID: 36811947 PMCID: PMC9996418 DOI: 10.2196/42023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Community health workers (CHWs) have become essential to the promotion of healthy behaviors, yet their work is complicated by challenges both within and beyond their control. These challenges include resistance to the change of existing behaviors, disbelief of health messages, limited community health literacy, insufficient CHW communication skills and knowledge, lack of community interest and respect for CHWs, and CHWs' lack of adequate supplies. The rising penetration of "smart" technology (eg, smartphones and tablets) in low- and middle-income countries facilitates the use of portable electronic devices in the field. OBJECTIVE This scoping review examines to what extent mobile health in the form of smart devices may enhance the delivery of public health messages in CHW-client interactions, thereby addressing the aforementioned challenges and inducing client behavior change. METHODS We conducted a structured search of the PubMed and LILACS databases using subject heading terms in 4 categories: technology user, technology device, use of technology, and outcome. Eligibility criteria included publication since January 2007, CHWs delivering a health message aided by a smart device, and face-to-face communication between CHWs and clients. Eligible studies were analyzed qualitatively using a modified version of the Partners in Health conceptual framework. RESULTS We identified 12 eligible studies, 10 (83%) of which used qualitative or mixed methods approaches. We found that smart devices mitigate challenges encountered by CHWs by improving their knowledge, motivation, and creativity (eg, through self-made videos); their status within the community; and the credibility of their health messages. The technology stimulated interest in both CHWs and clients-and sometimes even in bystanders and neighbors. Media content produced locally or reflecting local customs was strongly embraced. Yet, the effect of smart devices on the quality of CHW-client interactions was inconclusive. Interactions suffered as CHWs were tempted to replace educational conversations with clients by passively watching video content. Furthermore, a series of technical difficulties experienced especially by older and less educated CHWs compromised some of the advantages brought about by mobile devices. Adequate CHW training ameliorated these difficulties. Only 1 study (8%) considered client health behavior change as an end point, thus revealing a major research gap. CONCLUSIONS Smart mobile devices may augment CHWs' field performance and enhance face-to-face interactions with clients, yet they also generate new challenges. The available evidence is scarce, mostly qualitative, and focused on a limited range of health outcomes. Future research should include larger-scale interventions across a wide range of health outcomes and feature client health behavior change as an end point.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merlin Greuel
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Frithjof Sy
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Till Bärnighausen
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.,Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Maya Adam
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Alain Vandormael
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jennifer Gates
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Guy Harling
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.,Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Epidemiology and Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States.,Medical Research Council/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Nursing and Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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Robert RC, Feijoo BL. Beneficiary and Local Stakeholder Participation in Community-Based Nutrition Interventions. Curr Dev Nutr 2022; 6:nzac131. [PMID: 36157848 PMCID: PMC9492256 DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzac131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Beneficiary and local stakeholder participation is an essential element to the success of community-based nutrition interventions. We sought to define active participation and review the available evidence on beneficiary and local stakeholder participation in community-based nutrition interventions in Africa. From reviewing the literature, we provide a reflective assessment on the process and findings. Participation falls on a continuum of community involvement from passive (no real involvement) to empowerment and community ownership (full active involvement). However, we found a clear gap in the research on defining active participation and identifying what constitutes active participation on behalf of beneficiaries and local stakeholders. However, progress was found; evidence included the use of participatory methods to engage beneficiaries and local stakeholders in the assessment and design phase. Beneficiary and local stakeholder participation in delivering interventions has moved forward with quantitative measures from process evaluation and implementation science. Research has started on the extent of beneficiary engagement (as recipients) and connecting this to outcomes. Evaluation has benefited from qualitative inquiry with insights from participants on engagement itself, and the barriers and facilitators to engagement. Yet questions remain in each study phase around defining and quantifying active participation and in understanding the personal, social, and motivational elements of active participation. We offer a simple framework to stimulate thought and commitment to research on participation in community-based nutrition interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca C Robert
- Conway School of Nursing, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Brittany L Feijoo
- Conway School of Nursing, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, USA
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Design of a Planner-Based Intervention to Facilitate Diet Behaviour Change in Type 2 Diabetes. SENSORS 2022; 22:s22072795. [PMID: 35408411 PMCID: PMC9002653 DOI: 10.3390/s22072795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Diet behaviour is influenced by the interplay of the physical and social environment as well as macro-level and individual factors. In this study, we focus on diet behaviour at an individual level and describe the design of a behaviour change artefact to support diet behaviour change in persons with type 2 diabetes. This artefact was designed using a human-centred design methodology and the Behaviour Change Wheel framework. The designed artefact sought to support diet behaviour change through the addition of healthy foods and the reduction or removal of unhealthy foods over a 12-week period. These targeted behaviours were supported by the enabling behaviours of water consumption and mindfulness practice. The artefact created was a behaviour change planner in calendar format, that incorporated behaviour change techniques and which focused on changing diet behaviour gradually over the 12-week period. The behaviour change planner forms part of a behaviour change intervention which also includes a preparatory workbook exercise and one-to-one action planning sessions and can be customised for each participant.
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Samoggia A, Monticone F, Bertazzoli A. Innovative Digital Technologies for Purchasing and Consumption in Urban and Regional Agro-Food Systems: A Systematic Review. Foods 2021; 10:208. [PMID: 33498393 PMCID: PMC7909407 DOI: 10.3390/foods10020208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of digital technologies in the agro-food sector is growing worldwide, and applications in the urban and regional food systems represent a relevant segment of such growth. The present paper aims at reviewing the literature on which and how digital technologies support urban and regional agro-food purchasing and consumption, as well as their characteristics. Data collection was performed on Scopus and Web of Science. Articles were selected using a research string and according to specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow approach was adopted to explain data screening and selection. The 57 resulting studies were included in the final qualitative analysis, which explored the characteristics of the research studies and of the digital technologies analysed. Most of the studies analysed concerned the implications of digital technologies on local food consumption, especially focusing on consumption, primary production and hotel-restaurant-café-catering sector (HORECA), and to a limited extent on the retail sector. Consumers and farmers are the main targets of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools, whose principal aims are providing information on agro-food products and enhancing networking along the food supply chain. Analysing digital technologies allows a better understanding of their most popular features in order to support their spread among citizens. Digital technologies, and particularly Apps, can be a valuable instrument to strengthen agro-food chain actor relations and to promote urban and regional food systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Samoggia
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Technologies, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin, 50, 40127 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Francesca Monticone
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Technologies, University of Bologna, Viale Fanin, 50, 40127 Bologna, Italy;
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Bärnighausen T. Novel methods for health intervention research. JOURNAL OF HEALTH MONITORING 2020; 5:13-14. [PMID: 35146287 PMCID: PMC8734205 DOI: 10.25646/6503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Till Bärnighausen
- Corresponding author Prof Dr Dr Till Bärnighausen, University of Heidelberg, Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg Institute of Global Health Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany, E-mail:
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