ArticleDigital health
Digitization of the health sector in Pakistan: challenges and opportunities to online health communication: A case study of MARHAM social and mobile media.
Article in Digital health. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers.
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Who cites it
12 citing papers in PubMed.
- Efficacy of a Personalized mHealth App in Improving Micronutrient Supplement Use Among Pregnant Women in Karachi, Pakistan: Parallel-Group Randomized Controlled Trial.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025Trial
- Efficacy of a Mobile Health App in Promoting Breastfeeding and Young Child Feeding Practices in Pakistan: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.JMIR research protocols · 2026Article
- Mobile app for comprehensive management of orthodontic patients with fixed appliances : Design and use.Journal of orofacial orthopedics = Fortschritte der Kieferorthopadie : Organ/official journal Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Kieferorthopadie · 2023Article
- The impact of perceived value and affection on Chinese residents' continuous use intention of mobile health science information: An empirical study.Frontiers in public health · 2023Article
- Review
- Can Digital Transformation Promote the Rapid Recovery of Cities from the COVID-19 Epidemic? An Empirical Analysis from Chinese Cities.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
- Challenges and opportunities for implementing digital health interventions in Nepal: A rapid review.Frontiers in digital health · 2022Review
- The Efficacy of a Personalized mHealth Coaching Program During Pregnancy on Maternal Diet, Supplement Use, and Physical Activity: Protocol for a Parallel-Group Randomized Controlled Trial.JMIR research protocols · 2021Article
- Polio vaccine misinformation on social media: turning point in the fight against polio eradication in Pakistan.Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics · 2021Article
- A Cross-Sectional Survey to Assess Biorisk Management System in Research and Diagnostic Laboratories in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.Frontiers in public health · 2021Article
- Article
- Social media use for health, cultural characteristics, and demographics: A survey of Pakistani millennials.Digital healthArticle
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Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveSocial and mobile media are playing a significant role in the digitization of health sectors globally. New technology provides an opportunity for stakeholders (i.e., patients and healthcare professionals) to engage with each other in virtual environments to discuss health-related issues. This study examines the role of social and mobile media in digitizing the health sector in Pakistan through MARHAM, the platform which is the subject of this case study.
methodA thematic content analysis of MARHAM's social media (Facebook group, Facebook page, and Twitter account) and mobile media application ("app" and website) were chosen for sampling. Some 6083 group posts, 1724 tweets and 1123 Facebook posts populated our sample.
resultsAnalysis results indicate that MARHAM's Facebook group most often fields patient inquiries. The most discussed health issues were: women's health issues (43.23%), children's diseases (16.63%), psychological issues (15.45%), dental issues (9.50%), skin problems (5.93%), others (5.04%), and obesity (4.19%). MARHAM's Facebook page and Twitter account were mainly used for health education and awareness. Their mobile application and website were used by healthcare professionals and for patient registration.
conclusionThe study's results suggest that MARHAM is playing a significant role in the health sector of Pakistan, addressing primarily women and children's issues through their Facebook group. Like many who have an online presence, MARHAM faces certain challenges, including the public's low literacy rates and scant Internet access.
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