Strategies for scalability and sustainability of mobile health projects for Non-Communicable Diseases in developing countries. A qualitative review analysis.

Abstract

This research reviews the strategies that are used for scalability and sustainability of mobile health (mhealth) projects for Non- Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in developing countries. Due to increased availability of mobile phones, use of mhealth to delivery healthcare services has become widely used in developing countries. An increase in rates of deaths from NCDs has also been observed in most developing countries thus creating a public health threat. Mhealth promises to provide improved and easily accessible healthcare services for NCDs however most mhealth projects fail to scale up and become sustainable. Consequently, identifying the strategies that are effective for scalability and sustainability of mhealth projects for NCDs in developing countries is vital. The research aimed to identify the strategies for scalability and sustainability of mhealth projects for NCDs that are used in developing countries. Informatics approaches of implementing Information Infrastructures (II) in healthcare are used to discuss the strategies. The data was collected through a literature search of published scientific articles (journals and documents). A qualitative narrative review was used to interpret the study. Content analysis methods were used to analyse the data and provide new knowledge and insight on the subject. The research showed use of Design, Collaboration, Economic, Monitoring and Building Local Capacity strategies when considering scalability and sustainability of mhealth projects for NCDs in developing countries. The research can be used as a guide on what strategies would be beneficial during planning for scalability and sustainability of mhealth projects for NCDs in developing countries.

Keywords: Scalability, Sustainability, Mhealth, Information Infrastructure (II), Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Developing countries.