Utilisation of mobile health in Zimbabwe

Abstract

MHealth is an upcoming area promising to contribute benefits to health service delivery. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the rate of mHealth utilisation as well as opportunities for mHealth and the barriers to use at one central hospital in Zimbabwe. A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was undertaken at the central hospital. Data collection was done using structured questionnaires. The entire population of medical doctors at the hospital (N=42) were the respondents of the research. The 18 mHealth activities were chosen from a possible of 101 available. The most used as well as the least used mHealth activities were identified and the reasons for use or lack of use were identified. The study revealed that 75% of the activities were currently being used and 95% had the potential of future use by medical doctors. This study highlights the potential of mHealth from medical doctors’ perspective.