Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37171865›Full record

ArticleJMIR formative research2023

Facilitators and Barriers to the Sustainability of eHealth Solutions in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Descriptive Exploratory Study.

Adane Mamuye, Araya Mesfin Nigatu, Moges Asressie Chanyalew, Lamia Ben Amor, Sihem Loukil, Chris Moyo, Samuel Quarshie, Konstantinos Antypas, Binyam Tilahun

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR formative research, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
5.7field-weighted citation impact, top 4% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed, 13 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
  2. A Descriptive Assessment of Healthcare Workers' Preparedness for Digital Health Systems in Malawi.Malawi medical journal : the journal of Medical Association of Malawi · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors at 5 institutions in 4 countries.

Adane MamuyeCollege of Informatics, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0749-3031
Araya Mesfin NigatuCollege of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0850-265X
Moges Asressie ChanyalewAmhara Regional Health Bureau, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9174-1415
Lamia Ben AmorSfax HealthTECH Cluster, Sakiet Ezzit, Tunisia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0196-738X
Sihem LoukilSfax HealthTECH Cluster, Sakiet Ezzit, Tunisia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8078-5711
Chris MoyoHealth Information Systems Programme Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0481-2247
Samuel QuarshieGhana Health Service, Accra, Ghana.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9563-8941
Konstantinos AntypasSINTEF Digital, Oslo, Norway.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1048-688X
Binyam TilahunCollege of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1813-167X
University of Gondar · ETAmhara Regional Health Bureau · ETGhana Health Service · GHPublic Health Institute of Malawi · MWSINTEF · NO

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDespite the widely anticipated benefits of eHealth technologies in enhancing health care service delivery, the sustainable usage of eHealth in transitional countries remains low. There is limited evidence supporting the low sustainable adoption of eHealth in low- and middle-income countries.

objectiveThe aim of this study was to explore the facilitators and barriers to the sustainable use of eHealth solutions in low- and middle-income nations.

methodsA qualitative descriptive exploratory study was conducted in 4 African nations from September to December 2021. A semistructured interview guide was used to collect the data. Data were audio-recorded and transcribed from the local to the English language verbatim, and the audio data were transcribed. On the basis of the information gathered, we assigned codes to the data, searched for conceptual patterns, and created emerging themes. Data were analyzed thematically using OpenCode software.

resultsA total of 49 key informant interviews (10 from Tunisia, 15 from Ethiopia, 13 from Ghana, and 11 from Malawi) were conducted. About 40.8% (20/49) of the study participants were between the ages of 26 and 35 years; 73.5% (36/49) of them were male participants; and 71.4% (35/49) of them had a master's degree or higher in their educational background. Additionally, the study participants' work experience ranged from 2 to 35 years. Based on the data we gathered, we identified 5 themes: organizational, technology and technological infrastructure, human factors, economy or funding, and policy and regulations.

conclusionsThis study explores potential facilitators and barriers to long-term eHealth solution implementation. Addressing barriers early in the implementation process can aid in the development of eHealth solutions that will better fulfill the demands of end users. Therefore, focusing on potential challenges would enhance the sustainability of eHealth solutions in low- and middle-income countries.

Indexed as

AfricaattributeseHealthlow- and middle-income countriessustainability

Identifiers

PMID37171865
PMCPMC10221492
OpenAlexW4376224769

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.