| Title | A full-STAC remedy for global digital health transformation: open standards, technologies, architectures and content. |
| Authors | Mehl, GL; Seneviratne, MG; Berg, ML; Bidani, S; Distler, RL; Gorgens, M; Kallander, KE; Labrique, AB; Landry, MS; Leitner, C; Lubell-Doughtie, PB; Marcelo, AB; Matias, Y; Nelson, J; Nguyen, V; Nsengimana, JP; Orton, M; Otzoy Garcia, DR; Oyaole, DR; Ratanaprayul, N; Roth, S; Schaefer, MP; Settle, D; Tang, J; Tien-Wahser, B; Wanyee, S; Hersch, F |
| Journal | Oxford open digital health |
| Publication Date | 1 Dec 2023 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 15 Dec 2023 |
| Abstract | The global digital health ecosystem is project-centric: point solutions are developed for vertical health programs and financed through vertical funding allocations. This results in data fragmentation and technology lock-in, compromising health care delivery. A convergence of trends enabled by interoperability and digital governance makes possible a shift towards person-focused health. Together, open Standards, open Technologies, open Architectures and open Content represent a next-generation 'full-STAC' remedy for digital health transformation. Local developers and implementers can avoid reinventing the wheel, and instead build digital tools suited to local needs-where data travels with an individual over time, evidence-based practice is easily integrated, and insights are gleaned from harmonized data. This is the culmination of the vision endorsed by 194 WHO Member States in the Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020 to 2025. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.1093/oodh/oqad018 |
| Title | Health information system strengthening and malaria elimination in Papua New Guinea. |
| Authors | Rosewell, A; Makita, L; Muscatello, D; John, LN; Bieb, S; Hutton, R; Ramamurthy, S; Shearman, P |
| Journal | Malaria journal |
| Publication Date | 5 Jul 2017 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 7 Jul 2017 |
| Abstract | The objective of the study was to describe an m-health initiative to strengthen malaria surveillance in a 184-health facility, multi-province, project aimed at strengthening the National Health Information System (NHIS) in a country with fragmented malaria surveillance, striving towards enhanced control, pre-elimination. A remote-loading mobile application and secure online platform for health professionals was created to interface with the new system (eNHIS). A case-based malaria testing register was developed and integrated geo-coded households, villages and health facilities. A malaria programme management dashboard was created, with village-level malaria mapping tools, and statistical algorithms to identify malaria outbreaks. Since its inception in 2015, 160,750 malaria testing records, including village of residence, have been reported to the eNHIS. These case-based, geo-coded malaria data are 100% complete, with a median data entry delay of 9 days from the date of testing. The system maps malaria to the village level in near real-time as well as the availability of treatment and diagnostics to health facility level. Data aggregation, analysis, outbreak detection, and reporting are automated. The study demonstrates that using mobile technologies and GIS in the capture and reporting of NHIS data in Papua New Guinea provides timely, high quality, geo-coded, case-based malaria data required for malaria elimination. The health systems strengthening approach of integrating malaria information management into the eNHIS optimizes sustainability and provides enormous flexibility to cater for future malaria programme needs. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-017-1910-0 |
| Title | Digital health for the End TB Strategy: developing priority products and making them work. |
| Authors | Falzon, D; Timimi, H; Kurosinski, P; Migliori, GB; Van Gemert, W; Denkinger, C; Isaacs, C; Story, A; Garfein, RS; do Valle Bastos, LG; Yassin, MA; Rusovich, V; Skrahina, A; Van Hoi, L; Broger, T; Abubakar, I; Hayward, A; Thomas, BV; Temesgen, Z; Quraishi, S; von Delft, D; Jaramillo, E; Weyer, K; Raviglione, MC |
| Journal | The European respiratory journal |
| Publication Date | 1 Jul 2016 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 28 May 2016 |
| Abstract | In 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed the End TB Strategy in response to a World Health Assembly Resolution requesting Member States to end the worldwide epidemic of tuberculosis (TB) by 2035. For the strategy's objectives to be realised, the next 20 years will need novel solutions to address the challenges posed by TB to health professionals, and to affected people and communities. Information and communication technology presents opportunities for innovative approaches to support TB efforts in patient care, surveillance, programme management and electronic learning. The effective application of digital health products at a large scale and their continued development need the engagement of TB patients and their caregivers, innovators, funders, policy-makers, advocacy groups, and affected communities.In April 2015, WHO established its Global Task Force on Digital Health for TB to advocate and support the development of digital health innovations in global efforts to improve TB care and prevention. We outline the group's approach to stewarding this process in alignment with the three pillars of the End TB Strategy. The supplementary material of this article includes target product profiles, as developed by early 2016, defining nine priority digital health concepts and products that are strategically positioned to enhance TB action at the country level. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.1183/13993003.00424-2016 |
| Title | Analytical mapping of information and communication technology in emerging infectious diseases using CiteSpace. |
| Authors | Sood, SK; Rawat, KS; Kumar, D |
| Journal | Telematics and informatics |
| Publication Date | 1 Apr 2022 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 15 Mar 2022 |
| Abstract | The prevalence of severe infectious diseases has become a major global health concern. Currently, the COVID-19 outbreak has spread across the world and has created an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The proliferation of novel viruses has put traditional health systems under immense pressure and posed several serious issues. Henceforth, early detection, identification, rapid testing, and advanced surveillance systems are required to address public health emergencies. However, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tackles several issues raised by this pandemic and significantly improves the quality of services in the health care sector. This paper presents an ICT-assisted scientometric analysis of infectious diseases, namely, airborne, food & waterborne, fomite-borne, sexually transmitted illnesses, and vector-borne illnesses. It assesses the international research status of this field in terms of citation structure, prolific journals, and country contributions. It has used the CiteSpace tool to address the visualization needs and in-depth insights of scientific literature to pinpoint core hotspots, research frontiers, emerging research areas, and ICT trends. The research finding reveals that mobile apps, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence technologies have greater scope to reduce the threats of infectious diseases. COVID-19, influenza, HIV, and malaria viruses have been identified as research hotspots whereas COVID-19, contact tracing applications, security and privacy concerns about users' data are the recent challenges in this field that need to address. The United States has produced higher research output in all domains of infectious diseases. Furthermore, it explores the co-occurrence network analysis and intellectual landscape of each domain of infectious diseases. It provides potential research directions and insightful clues to researchers and the academic fraternity for further research. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2022.101796 |
| Title | A digital mobile health platform increasing efficiency and transparency towards universal health coverage in low- and middle-income countries. |
| Authors | Huisman, L; van Duijn, SM; Silva, N; van Doeveren, R; Michuki, J; Kuria, M; Otieno Okeyo, D; Okoth, I; Houben, N; Rinke de Wit, TF; Rogo, K |
| Journal | Digital health |
| Publication Date | 1 Dec 2022 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 19 Apr 2022 |
| Abstract | In low-and middle-income countries, achieving universal health coverage remains challenging due to insufficient, temporary and fragmented funding as well as limited accessibility to quality healthcare. Leveraging a mobile health platform can be a powerful tool to address these problems. This paper demonstrates how analysing data collected from a mobile health platform helps optimize healthcare provider networks, monitor patient flows and assess the quality and equitability of access to care. The COVID-19 pandemic reinforces the importance of real-time data on health-seeking behaviour. Between 2018 and 2019, as a Kenyan universal health coverage pilot was being planned, Kisumu County, with support from PharmAccess Foundation, implemented household-level digital registration for healthcare and collected socio-economic and healthcare claims data using the M-TIBA platform. In total, 273,350 Kisumu households enrolled. The claims data showed many patients visit higher-level facilities for ailments, that can be treated at primary care levels, unnecessarily. High-level estimate of the disease burden at participating facilities revealed rampant overprescription of pertinent medicines for highly prevalent malaria and respiratory tract infections, exemplifying clinical management deficiencies. M-TIBA data allowed tracking of individual patient trajectories. Analyses of data are shown at the aggregate level. The paper shows how mobile health platforms can be used to generate valuable insights into access to and quality of care. Funding for healthcare can be united through mobile health platforms, limiting the fragmentation in funding. They can be useful for funders, health managers and policymakers to improve the implementation of universal health coverage programs in low-and middle-income countries. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.1177/20552076221092213 |
| Title | Application of telemedicine in infectious diseases. |
| Authors | Monfort-Vinuesa, C; Gil-López, P; Ramírez-Olivencia, G; Chivato-Pérez, T; Coca-Benito, D; Mata-Forte, T |
| Journal | Enfermedades infecciosas y microbiologia clinica (English ed.) |
| Publication Date | 1 Jan 2023 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 10 Jul 2022 |
| Abstract | Infectious pathologies can benefit from the application of Telemedicine (TM). This study provides a description of the infectious pathology treated by the Telemedicine Service of the Hospital Central de la Defensa Gómez Ulla (STM-HCDGU). Analysis of the e-consultations made by members of the Armed Forces (FA) of Spain displaced to the area of operations (ZO) in the period between 01/1/2015 and 31/12/2018 who developed infectious symptoms. 127 infectious diseases were diagnosed, the most frequent being those of respiratory etiology and later malaria. Geographically Africa and embarked contingents were the most significant. It was necessary to evacuate 18 patients to the HCDGU, being the diagnosis of malaria the most frequent reason for evacuation, cause of the only fatal case. infectious diseases benefit from the application of TM, being an important tool for the diagnosis and treatment of these, constituting an opportunity to expand to other displaced or remote populations. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.1016/j.eimce.2022.06.012 |
| Title | Leveraging innovation technologies to respond to malaria: a systematized literature review of emerging technologies. |
| Authors | Chibi, M; Wasswa, W; Ngongoni, C; Baba, E; Kalu, A |
| Journal | Malaria journal |
| Publication Date | 3 Feb 2023 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 5 Feb 2023 |
| Abstract | In 2019, an estimated 409,000 people died of malaria and most of them were young children in sub-Saharan Africa. In a bid to combat malaria epidemics, several technological innovations that have contributed significantly to malaria response have been developed across the world. This paper presents a systematized review and identifies key technological innovations that have been developed worldwide targeting different areas of the malaria response, which include surveillance, microplanning, prevention, diagnosis and management. A systematized literature review which involved a structured search of the malaria technological innovations followed by a quantitative and narrative description and synthesis of the innovations was carried out. The malaria technological innovations were electronically retrieved from scientific databases that include PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, IEEE and Science Direct. Additional innovations were found across grey sources such as the Google Play Store, Apple App Store and cooperate websites. This was done using keywords pertaining to different malaria response areas combined with the words "innovation or technology" in a search query. The search was conducted between July 2021 and December 2021. Drugs, vaccines, social programmes, and apps in non-English were excluded. The quality of technological innovations included was based on reported impact and an exclusion criterion set by the authors. Out of over 1000 malaria innovations and programmes, only 650 key malaria technological innovations were considered for further review. There were web-based innovations (34%), mobile-based applications (28%), diagnostic tools and devices (25%), and drone-based technologies (13%. This study was undertaken to unveil impactful and contextually relevant malaria innovations that can be adapted in Africa. This was in response to the existing knowledge gap about the comprehensive technological landscape for malaria response. The paper provides information that countries and key malaria control stakeholders can leverage with regards to adopting some of these technologies as part of the malaria response in their respective countries. The paper has also highlighted key drivers including infrastructural requirements to foster development and scaling up of innovations. In order to stimulate development of innovations in Africa, countries should prioritize investment in infrastructure for information and communication technologies and also drone technologies. These should be accompanied by the right policies and incentive frameworks. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-023-04454-0 |
| Title | Global Health Innovation Technology Models. |
| Authors | Harding, K |
| Journal | Nanobiomedicine |
| Publication Date | 1 Dec 2016 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 1 Jan 2016 |
| Abstract | Chronic technology and business process disparities between High Income, Low Middle Income and Low Income (HIC, LMIC, LIC) research collaborators directly prevent the growth of sustainable Global Health innovation for infectious and rare diseases. There is a need for an Open Source-Open Science Architecture Framework to bridge this divide. We are proposing such a framework for consideration by the Global Health community, by utilizing a hybrid approach of integrating agnostic Open Source technology and healthcare interoperability standards and Total Quality Management principles. We will validate this architecture framework through our programme called Project Orchid. Project Orchid is a conceptual Clinical Intelligence Exchange and Virtual Innovation platform utilizing this approach to support clinical innovation efforts for multi-national collaboration that can be locally sustainable for LIC and LMIC research cohorts. The goal is to enable LIC and LMIC research organizations to accelerate their clinical trial process maturity in the field of drug discovery, population health innovation initiatives and public domain knowledge networks. When sponsored, this concept will be tested by 12 confirmed clinical research and public health organizations in six countries. The potential impact of this platform is reduced drug discovery and public health innovation lag time and improved clinical trial interventions, due to reliable clinical intelligence and bio-surveillance across all phases of the clinical innovation process. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.5772/62921 |
| Title | 25 Years of Digital Health Toward Universal Health Coverage in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Rapid Systematic Review. |
| Authors | Sylla, B; Ismaila, O; Diallo, G |
| Journal | Journal of medical Internet research |
| Publication Date | 29 May 2025 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 29 May 2025 |
| Abstract | Over the last 25 years, digital health interventions in low- and middle-income countries have undergone substantial transformations propelled by technological advancements, increased internet accessibility, and a deeper appreciation of the benefits of digital tools in enhancing health care availability. This study aims to examine the evolution, impact, and prospects of digital health interventions in low- and middle-income countries, highlighting their role in improving health care accessibility and equity. A retrospective analysis of digital health initiatives scanning the past two and a half decades focused on the progression from basic SMS platforms to sophisticated mobile health apps and other health digital interventions. Relevant literature and case studies were reviewed to elucidate key milestones, successes, challenges, and opportunities in advancing digital health initiatives in low- and middle-income regions. Digital health initiatives in low- and middle-income countries initially targeted specific health concerns, such as malaria diagnosis and treatment, through text-based platforms, demonstrating their efficacy in reaching remote and marginalized communities. With the proliferation of mobile phone ownership and internet access, these interventions evolved into comprehensive mobile health apps, facilitating self-care support, patient education, chronic disease monitoring, and remote consultations. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated the adoption of digital health interventions, particularly in disseminating health information, supporting contact tracing efforts, and enabling virtual consultations to alleviate strain on health care systems. The future of digital health interventions in low- and middle-income countries holds immense promise, fueled by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain. However, challenges persist in ensuring equitable access to digital health technologies, addressing disparities in digital literacy, and establishing robust health care infrastructure. Collaboration among governments, health care providers, technology innovators, and communities is essential to overcome these challenges and harness the full potential of digital health to improve health care outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.2196/59042 |
| Title | A malaria knowledge, attitudes and practice survey in a rural community in Guinea. |
| Authors | Ravi, N; Holsted, E; Kadiebwe, B; Salthouse, A; Sattar, A |
| Journal | Malaria journal |
| Publication Date | 14 Nov 2022 |
| Date Added to PubMed | 16 Nov 2022 |
| Abstract | Malaria is the top public health problem in the Republic of Guinea, with more than 4 million cases and 10,000 deaths in 2021 among a population of approximately 13 million. It is also the second highest cause of death there. The purpose of this quantitative survey in a rural area of Guinea was to understand knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) about malaria and to assess water and sanitation practices among community members. In 2016, the authors conducted a cross-sectional household survey in Timbi-Touni, Guinea using community workers. The survey included respondent demographic characteristics, malaria knowledge, child health, water and sanitation, and health services access. Malaria knowledge and sleeping under bed nets were the primary outcome variables and multiple logistic regression was used to determine odds ratios. Majority of the respondents were women (89.41%) and had never been to school (71.18%). Slightly more than half the children were reported to have ever had malaria and 45% reported to have ever had diarrhoea. There was no statistically significant association between gender or level of education and malaria knowledge. Eighty six percent of respondents had received a free bed net during national campaigns and 61% slept under a bed net the night before the survey. Knowing mosquitoes to be the cause of malaria and receiving free bed net were significantly associated with sleeping under a bed net. There was no statistically significant association between drinking water source and malaria or diarrhoea. Both malaria and diarrhoea were considered to be serious illnesses for adults and children by nearly all respondents. Receiving free bed nets and having correct knowledge about malaria were the greatest predictors of sleeping under a bed net. Insights from this detailed KAP survey-such as focusing on radio to transmit malaria prevention information and reinforcing free malaria treatments-can guide policy makers and practitioners who design and implement malaria control and prevention measures in Guinea. |
| Link | http://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-022-04357-6 |