Authors: Merlin Greuel, Frithjof Sy, Till Bärnighausen, Maya Adam, Alain Vandormael, Jennifer Gates, Guy Harling
This review sought to examine the extent to which mobile health, in the form of smart devices, may enhance the delivery of public health messages in CHW-client interactions. A structured search of the PubMed and LILACS databases was conducted using subject heading terms in four categories: (i) technology user, (ii) technology device, (iii) use of technology, and (iv) outcome. Studies were included if they were published since January 2007, related to CHWs delivering a health message aided by a smart device, and contained communication between CHWs and clients. While the available evidence was scarce, twelve eligible studies were identified. Collectively, they provided evidence that smart devices can mitigate challenges encountered by CHWs by improving their knowledge, motivation, and creativity; their status within the community; and the credibility of their health messages. The results of this review suggest promise for the use of smart mobile devices in improving CHW performance and interactions, but emphasize the need for more research to investigate larger interventions and explore their effects on other health and behavior change outcomes.
Link: Community Health Worker Use of Smart Devices for Health Promotion: Scoping Review
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Resource Topic: CHW, Digital health
Resource Type: Review
Year: 2023
Region: Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
Country: Burkina Faso, India, Lesotho, Nigeria, South Africa
Publisher May Restrict Access: No