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mHealth for community-based growth monitoring and promotion: Three case studies from South African settings

Author

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  • Anna-Marie Müller
  • Helen Donkin
  • Emma Chademana
  • Phiwe Dauwa

Abstract

Optimal nutrition and growth of vulnerable children requires appropriate growth monitoring and promotion (GMP) through regular measurement and follow up, to detect nutritional problems early and prevent malnutrition. Routine surveillance of children’s growth, especially their height, is not currently taking place reliably in primary healthcare (PHC) facilities. Community-based GMP responds to this gap, which could benefit from integration with mHealth tools. Three non-profit organisations in South Africa using mHealth for community-based GMP at the community level are compared. Recommendations for the use of mHealth for community-based GMP in similar settings are proposed. All three cases recognise that mHealth is a useful approach to digitising growth data on children. Collaboration with PHC for GMP referral and treatment is important to treat at-risk children. mHealth can be beneficial to GMP activities, when data are accessible and analysis is timeous. Ongoing costs related to data access remain a barrier to scaling up mHealth.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna-Marie Müller & Helen Donkin & Emma Chademana & Phiwe Dauwa, 2025. "mHealth for community-based growth monitoring and promotion: Three case studies from South African settings," Development Southern Africa, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(6), pages 837-854, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:deveza:v:42:y:2025:i:6:p:837-854
    DOI: 10.1080/0376835X.2025.2588713
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