Worlds apart

A socio-material exploration of mHealth in rural areas of developing countries

Bibliographic Data

ID21596367
AuthorsEmmanuel Eze (0000-0003-2007-2696, University College Cork, corresponding author), Rob Gleasure (0000-0002-4265-4665, Copenhagen Business School), Ciara Heavin (0000-0001-8237-3350, University College Cork)
Year2022
Volume35
Issue8
Pages99-141
Publication date2022-12-19
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInformation Technology and People (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0959-3845 • E-ISSN: 1758-5813
PublisherEmerald (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1108/itp-04-2020-0228
OpenAlexW4226239744
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited115

Purpose The implementation of mobile health (mHealth) in developing countries seems to be stuck in a pattern of successive pilot studies that struggle for mainstream implementation. This study addresses the research question: what existing health-related structures, properties and practices are presented by rural areas of developing countries that might inhibit the implementation of mHealth initiatives? Design/methodology/approach This study was conducted using a socio-material approach, based on an exploratory case study in West Africa. Interviews and participant observation were used to gather data. A thematic analysis identified important social and material agencies, practices and imbrications which may limit the effectiveness of mHealth apps in the region. Findings Findings show that, while urban healthcare is highly structured, best practice-led, rural healthcare relies on peer-based knowledge sharing, and community support. This has implications for the enacted materiality of mobile technologies. While urban actors see mHealth as a tool for automation and the enforcement of responsible healthcare best practice, rural actors see mHealth as a tool for greater interconnectivity and independent, decentralised care. Research limitations/implications This study has two significant limitations. First, the study focussed on a region where technology-enabled guideline-driven treatment is the main mHealth concern. Second, consistent with the exploratory nature of this study, the qualitative methodology and the single-case design, the study makes no claim to statistical generalisability. Originality/value To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to adopt a socio-material view that considers existing structures and practices that may influence the widespread adoption and assimilation of a new mHealth app. This helps identify contextual challenges that are limiting the potential of mHealth to improve outcomes in rural areas of developing countries

Best practice · Business · Developing country · Economic growth · Exploratory research · Health care · Knowledge management · mHealth · Political science · Qualitative research · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Computer Science · ICT in Developing Communities · Innovative Approaches in Technology and Social Development · Mobile Health and mHealth Applications

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Open DOIOpen Access