Table 4 Summary of Studies included in the Systematic Review, N = 12
Author & year | Country& Setting | Study methods | Study population | mHealth intervention platforms | Barriers | Facilitators |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jahangir et al. [42] | Bangladesh Community-based Rural | Qualitative In-depth interviews | Health providers | Sexual health services SMS or text-messaging | - Low levels of technological and health literacy. -Not possible to provide diagnoses of STIs over the phone -Not possible to provide physical examination on phone. -Emotional burden for receiving too many calls and time. | -mHealth quite good for providing counselling. -Gets quick information to clients - Easy referral services to clinics - Time and cost management for traveling to health facilities. - Effective in time managemt for providing services. -Culturally appropriate in providing SRH information. -Effective in providing greater access to health information for women regarding STIs. -Provides an innovative platform to bridging the health communication gaps in sexual health |
Peprah et al. [46] | Ghana Rural | Qualitative In-depth interviews | Healthcare providers | Sexual and reproductive services Phone call | -Language barrier. -Illiteracy or low educational level of recipients. - Lack of trust. -Mobile network connectivity challenges. | mHealth saves waiting hours’ time. -Delivering services via mHealth technology saves time. -mHealth reduces workload. -mHealth able to contact many clients at a time for healthcare. |
Braun et al. [37] | Tanzania Rural | Qualitative IDIs | Community health workers | Family planning (FP) services text messaging | -Low technological skills. -Limited power for battery charging -Cost of mobile phone. | - Timelier - More convenient contacting clients from remote locations. -Ease of use of technology confidential information and care. -Increased method choice. -Improved privacy, confidentiality and trust with clients. |
Dev et al. [38] | Kenya Rural | Qualitative In-depth interviews | Healthcare providers (nurses) | Contraception services Mobile phone call | - Limited technological literacy - Workload for receiving calls from clients. -Emotional stress. | -Helps deliver the appropriate and detailed SRH information. -Saves time for providing education or counselling. -Improves client provider interactions relationship. - Allows discuss confidential issues with women on contraceptives privately with women to make better decisions -Maximizes time or saves providers time in providing counselling process. |
Logie et al. [44] | Nigeria Keyna Rural | Mixed method Qualitive In-depth interviews (IDIs) | Healthcare providers | Sexual and reproductive health services Mobile phone call | -Does not work if a client/ person doesn’t have a phone. -Lack of regular internet access. -Lack of technological literacy of using mobile apps. - Cost of mobile phones | -Able to target specific health information to clients in rural areas based on health demographics. -Able to provide access to SRH information for underserved group. - Easier to provide mHealth apps SRH confidentially for young people in remote areas. -Easy for healthcare providers to constantly remind or follow up on clients. |
Ibembe [41] | Kenya Health facility Rural | Qualitative IDIs | Healthcare professionals | Reproductive health services Mobile phone call | -Lack of technological expertise. -Poor network connectivity. -Cost of phone credit or airtime. -Lack of motivation. -Lack of technological literacy and skills. - Not owning a cell phone. | -Easy consultation. - Addressing challenges distance between health providers and users. - Trust and confidentiality are built. Around health providers and users. -Quality and timely health decision making. |
Ong et al. [45] | Cambodia Rural/urban | Qualitative Focus group discussions (FGDs) IDIs | Community health workers | Sexual and reproductive health/HIV Text messaging Voice messaging | -Lack of financial support for service provision. -Network connectivity interruptions. | - Able to provide information on HIV and STIs prevention issues. - Able to link up with many clients with SRH services. -Able to connect groups of clients. -Able to help clients in making SRH decisions -More efficient to deliver information directly and more frequently to a larger group via mobile phones. |
Khatun et al. [43] | Bangladesh Rural | Qualitative IDIs | Health services Mobile phone call | -Technological human resource inadequacy. -Healthcare personnel readiness to use mobile technology for SRH services. -Lack of technological skills by some HCPs and young people. - illiteracy barriers. | -Decrease in patient loads in rural healthcare centers. -mHealth consultation saves time - Enables health providers to provide quality health services. -Culturally sensitive and technology friendly solution | |
Hirsch-Moverman et al. [40] | Lesotho Rural | Qualitative IDIs | Healthcare providers Health facility & community -based | Health services/HIV text messaging | -Lack of technology infrastructure. -Limited network connectivity -Limited electricity connectivity. -Community members influence of use of mobile phones for SRH services. | -Facilitates communication between patients’ providers. -Ability to be able to follow-up patients frequently. -mHealth communication messages strengthen the patient–provider bond. -Ability to monitor patients over phone. -Easily able to track and follow up patients. |
Jennings et al. [29] | Kenya Rural | Qualitative FGDs/IDIs | Community health workers & nurses Health facility-based | HIV services Voice calls, Text messaging | - Cost for airtime for maintenance of phones. -Lack of technological by clients | - Protects the confidentiality of information. - Convenient for follow -Easy referral of clients to HCPs. -Timelier notification f information -Save time -Reduces unnecessary visits.to health facilities |
Hampshire et al. [39] | Ghana & Malawi Peri-urban & rural | Qualitative IDIs | Health workers Community-based | Contraception/family planning/HIV prevention education. Text messaging phone calls Voice messaging | -Not having personal mobile phones. -Temporary mobile phone breakdown can be problematic. -Poor or unreliable network - Mobile phone credit or airtime. -Limited sources to buy credit Emotional burden for receiving calls at night. | --Mobile phones help in emergencies, staff making emergency calls. -Helps in communicating with patients’ colleagues, obtaining clinical advice. |
Chang et al. [39] | Uganda Rural | Qualitative IDIs | Peer health workers | HIV services Text messaging Voice messaging | -Phone maintenance cost -Lack of power/electricity to charge phones. -Mobile phones theft . | -Facilitates task shifting. Time saving. -Facilitates exchange of information or communication between HCPs and patients and HCPs. -Improved peer health workers morale. |