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Informal mhealth at scale in Africa: Opportunities and challenges

Author

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  • Hampshire, Kate
  • Mwase-Vuma, Tawonga
  • Alemu, Kassahun
  • Abane, Albert
  • Munthali, Alister
  • Awoke, Tadesse
  • Mariwah, Simon
  • Chamdimba, Elita
  • Owusu, Samuel Asiedu
  • Robson, Elsbeth
  • Castelli, Michele
  • Shkedy, Ziv
  • Shawa, Nicholas
  • Abel, Jane
  • Kasim, Adetayo

Abstract

The extraordinary global growth of digital connectivity has generated optimism that mobile technologies can help overcome infrastructural barriers to development, with ‘mobile health’ (mhealth) being a key component of this. However, while ‘formal’ (top-down) mhealth programmes continue to face challenges of scalability and sustainability, we know relatively little about how health-workers are using their own mobile phones informally in their work. Using data from Ghana, Ethiopia and Malawi, we document the reach, nature and perceived impacts of community health-workers’ (CHWs’) ‘informal mhealth’ practices, and ask how equitably these are distributed. We implemented a mixed-methods study, combining surveys of CHWs across the three countries, using multi-stage proportional-to-size sampling (N = 2197 total), with qualitative research (interviews and focus groups with CHWs, clients and higher-level stake-holders). Survey data were weighted to produce nationally- or regionally-representative samples for multivariate analysis; comparative thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. Our findings confirm the limited reach of ‘formal’ compared with ‘informal’ mhealth: while only 15% of CHWs surveyed were using formal mhealth applications, over 97% reported regularly using a personal mobile phone for work-related purposes in a range of innovative ways. CHWs and clients expressed unequivocally enthusiastic views about the perceived impacts of this ‘informal health’ usage. However, they also identified very real practical challenges, financial burdens and other threats to personal wellbeing; these appear to be borne disproportionately by the lowest-paid cadre of health-workers, especially those serving rural areas. Unlike previous small-scale, qualitative studies, our work has shown that informal mhealth is already happening at scale, far outstripping its formal equivalent. Policy-makers need to engage seriously with this emergent health system, and to work closely with those on the ground to address sources of inequity, without undermining existing good practice.

Suggested Citation

  • Hampshire, Kate & Mwase-Vuma, Tawonga & Alemu, Kassahun & Abane, Albert & Munthali, Alister & Awoke, Tadesse & Mariwah, Simon & Chamdimba, Elita & Owusu, Samuel Asiedu & Robson, Elsbeth & Castelli, Mi, 2021. "Informal mhealth at scale in Africa: Opportunities and challenges," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:140:y:2021:i:c:s0305750x20303843
    DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2020.105257
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tom Neumark & Ruth J. Prince, 2021. "Digital Health in East Africa: Innovation, Experimentation and the Market," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 12(S6), pages 65-74, July.
    2. Aziz, Sonia & Boyle, Kevin & Akanda, Ali S. & Hanifi, M.A. & Pakhtigian, Emily L., 2022. "Early Warning Systems, Mobile Technology, and Cholera Aversion: Evidence from Rural Bangladesh," RFF Working Paper Series 22-24, Resources for the Future.
    3. Pakhtigian, Emily L. & Aziz, Sonia & Boyle, Kevin J. & Akanda, Ali S. & Hanifi, S.M.A., 2024. "Early warning systems, mobile technology, and cholera aversion: Evidence from rural Bangladesh," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    4. Neumark, Tom, 2023. "Digital diagnostics from Tanzania: Beyond mere technological fixing?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 319(C).

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