The considerable use of mobile health (mHealth) interventions and their beneficial effects on health and health service delivery processes have been observed, especially in resource-limited settings. The diverse functionalities of mobile phones offer a range of opportunities for mobile health interventions.
A systematic review and meta-analysis, conducted following the PRISMA guidelines, aimed to assess the health impact of mHealth interventions in India. The review considered studies carried out in India and published between April 1, 2011, and March 31, 2021. A literature search was conducted using MeSH terms in various databases to identify peer-reviewed publications. Thirteen out of 1350 articles were included in the final review.
The risk of bias was evaluated using the Risk of Bias 2 tool for randomized controlled trials and the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies of Interventions tool for nonrandomized trials. A meta-analysis was performed using RevMan for three comparable studies on maternal, neonatal, and child health.
Positive Impacts of Mobile Health Interventions on Healthcare Usage in India
The meta-analysis revealed improved use of maternal and child health services, including iron-folic acid supplementation, administration of both doses of tetanus toxoid, and attendance at four or more antenatal check-ups. The studies regarding economic evaluation and chronic diseases showed a positive economic impact from a societal perspective and a positive effect on clinical outcomes, patient and provider satisfaction, app usage, and improvement in health behaviors. However, a meta-analysis for these studies could not be performed due to heterogeneity.
In conclusion, the review provides a comprehensive overview of mHealth technology in all health sectors in India, analyzing both health and healthcare usage indicators for interventions focused on maternal and child health and chronic diseases.
Original Article DOI: 10.2196/50927
Original title: The Health Impact of mHealth Interventions in India: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
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