Mobile Phones – C4D Network

Digital Health for Social and Behavior Change: New technologies, new ways to reach people (HIPs Brief, USAID, 2018)

May 14, 2018 By C4D Network

Using digital technologies—such as mobile phones, computers, or tablets—to convey information and messages as part of an evidence-based multichannel social and behavior change (SBC) strategy may contribute to promoting, adopting, and maintaining healthy sexual and reproductive
behavior. This brief summarizes the current state of evidence in this rapidly changing field. (A companion brief reviews digital applications aimed at supporting providers and health systems.)

People in developed and developing countries are spending more time on digital devices. Smartphone ownership and Internet use are increasing rapidly among adults in most emerging and developing economies, where nearly half the adult population reports owning a smartphone or using the Internet at least occasionally. Digital technologies have the potential to provide accurate information to individuals when and where they need it. Making information available through digital applications may also reduce the time and cost related to seeking or receiving information through more traditional sources, such as print or interpersonal communication.

Use of digital technologies to support healthy sexual and reproductive behaviors is one of several promising “high impact practices in family planning” (HIPs) identified by a technical advisory group of international experts. A promising practice has limited evidence, with more information needed to fully document implementation experience and impact. The advisory group recommends that these interventions be promoted widely, provided they are implemented within the context of research and are carefully evaluated in terms of both impact and process.

Click here for full brief.

ICT, Urban Governance and Youth (UN HABITAT Report, 2015)

May 4, 2018 By C4D Network

The ICT, Urban Governance and Youth report is the fourth report in the Global Youth-Led Development series. The report provides a conceptual framework which reflects the rapidly changing dynamics in three areas of urban development: the demographics of the fastest growing segment of urban populations, youth (ages 15 to 24); information and communications technology (ICT) and particularly mobile phones; and governance, particularly local governance in the developing world.

Click here for full report.

Nutrition Knowledge Bank (GSMA mNutrition Initiative that provides advice via mobile phones)

April 29, 2017 By C4D Network Editor

A new open-access Knowledge Bank aims to deliver nutrition information to three million people in 12 developing countries.

The Knowledge Bank, part of the GSMA mNutrition initiative to help tackle malnutrition in Africa and Asia, is a collection of content on good nutritional practices and includes downloadable factsheets and mobile messages.

Adequate nutrition is critical to the physical and mental development of children and to long-term human health, but one out of three people in developing countries suffers from micronutrient deficiency. Experts consider poor access to agricultural and health information a major barrier to the uptake of improved nutritional practises, particularly by women and vulnerable groups in marginalized areas.

mNutrition delivers content to people at risk of malnutrition in Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. An expert consortium on nutritional matters—BMJ, CABI, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and Oxfam International—is partnering with local organizations in these countries to produce useful and reliable nutritional, agricultural and health information, which is then distributed through mobile phone networks in each country.

The Nutrition Knowledge Bank is searchable by country and subject. The messages and factsheets are available in several local languages and take into account the differing cultural contexts. The topics covered include breastfeeding advice for new mothers, practical tips for rearing dairy cows and growing healthier crops for human consumption.

Feasibility and acceptability of a mobile phone intervention to improve post-rape service delivery in South Africa (Making All Voices Count Research Report 2017)

February 10, 2017 By C4D Network Editor

Mobile health (mHealth) interventions – in which mobile phones are used to advance positive health outcomes – have only recently been applied to addressing broader questions of health governance. This report discusses research on a mobile phone app that was designed to create a coordinated platform through which rape victims could express their views on the quality of services and support offered by police and health-care workers in South Africa, in order to promote greater accountability between service providers and clients.

The study, which assessed the feasibility and acceptability of the proposed app, comprised qualitative and quantitative research with rape victims and caregivers accessing follow-up services at four rape care centres in Tshwane district, Pretoria. Of 140 participants enrolled in the study (108 rape victims and 32 caregivers), 86.4% reported owning a mobile phone. However, the results also revealed that mobile phone theft during sexual assault was common, with 34 out of 63 participants (55%) who did not bring their mobile phones to their first visit to the facility reporting that their phone had been stolen during the assault.

Nonetheless, the findings confirmed the feasibility of the app, which was subsequently developed and piloted. In addition, high levels of interest in using mobile phones to provide feedback on the quality of service delivery (95%) showed the potential value of such an intervention for improved communication between service users and providers.

Key themes in this paper are:

How can mHealth interventions be used to improve the accountability of service provision?
What factors influence the feasibility and acceptability of a mobile app for rape victims?
What are the barriers more accountable post-rape services in South Africa?

Click here for full study.

The mHealth Planning Guide: Key Considerations for Integrating Mobile Technology into Health Programs (K4Health 2014)

January 8, 2017 By C4D Network Editor

The mHealth Planning Guide helps individuals and organizations appropriately plan for mHealth deployments. This Guide provides a thorough orientation to the mHealth planning process for anyone looking to learn more about integrating mobile technology into health programs in low- and middle-income countries, outlines key considerations and resources for planning an mHealth intervention, from concept development and technology design to preparation for implementation, and helps build a strong foundation for mHealth activity.

This Guide is intended primarily for global health technical experts, program managers, and staff working to implement mHealth solutions in low-resource settings.