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A Review of e-Health Interventions for Maternal and Child Health in Sub-Sahara Africa

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Abstract

To review e-health interventions for maternal and child health (MCH) and to explore their influence on MCH practices in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). Keyword searches were used to retrieve articles from four databases and the websites of organisations involved in e-health projects for MCH in SSA. A total of 18relevant articles were retrieved using inclusion and exclusion criteria. The researchers reveal the prevalence of the application of mobile phones for MCH care and the influence of the use of information and communication technology (ICT) for delivering MCH information and services to target populations. There is a need to move the application of ICT for MCH care from pilot initiatives to interventions involving all stakeholders on a sub-regional scale. These interventions should also adopt an integrated approach that takes care of the information needs at every stage along the continuum of care. It is anticipated that the study would be useful in the evolution and implementation of future ICT-based programmes for MCH in the region.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. E.Latunde Odeku Medical Library, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

    Oluwaseun Ireti Obasola

  2. Department of Library, Archival and Information Studies, Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

    Iyabo Mabawonku

  3. Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Ikeoluwa Lagunju

  4. University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Ikeoluwa Lagunju

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  1. Oluwaseun Ireti Obasola
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  2. Iyabo Mabawonku
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  3. Ikeoluwa Lagunju
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Correspondence to Oluwaseun Ireti Obasola.

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Obasola, O.I., Mabawonku, I. & Lagunju, I. A Review of e-Health Interventions for Maternal and Child Health in Sub-Sahara Africa. Matern Child Health J 19, 1813–1824 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-015-1695-0

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