Author(s) Journal | [ Health area] MHealth intervention | Country | Study’s primary objective | Design | Sample | Findings on gender relations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(1) Akinfaderin-Agarau et al.[35] | Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS: | Nigeria | To determine reasons for significantly low uptake among young women | Single group, posttest design using mixed methods | 726 users | Non-Transformative: Participation in mHealth intervention hindered by gender-based expectations of women, including fear of spousal distrust and invasions of privacy. |
Users submitted questions via SMS and received accurate and confidential sexual health and HIV/AIDS information | ||||||
African Journal of Reproductive Health | ||||||
(2) Balasubramanian et al.[36] | Microenterprise: Illiterate and semi-literate women received daily mobile phone audio messages on business strategies for a goat-rearing enterprise, along with maternal and child health information, linked with reduced network call-rates | India | To examine effects of mobile phones as a tool for enterprise and learning on women’s social standing | Single group, posttest design using mixed methods | 73 program participants | Transformative and Non-Transformative: Ownership of new technology raises status of women within household, but creates some tensions regarding use. In some cases, perpetuated male hierarchies and dependence. |
Distance Education | ||||||
(3) Chib et al.[37] | HIV/AIDS: | Uganda | To assess mobile participation rates and HIV/AIDS-related knowledge | Single group, posttest design using mobile quiz response data | 2,363 mobile quiz takers | Non-Transformative: Two-fold higher response rates among men than women. Authors consider technology use reflected and further entrenched gender inequities. |
Users enhanced HIV/AIDS knowledge and awareness by answering SMS-based multiple choice quizzes with free HIV counseling and testing referrals and related prizes | ||||||
Journal of Health Communication: International Perspectives | ||||||
(4) Corker[38] | Reproductive Health: | Congo | To determine hotline intervention’s reach and participation among men and women | Single group, posttest design using call data | 20,036 calls | Transformative and Non-Transformative: New means of engaging men and potentially increasing partner communication, but reflected and reinforced existing power differentials and mobile divide. |
Cases in Public Health Communication & Marketing | Couples used toll-free hotline to obtain confidential family planning information and referrals to family planning clinics and pharmacies | |||||
(5) Misraghosh et al.[40] | Microenterprise: | India | To examine effects of mobile retail business on women’s empowerment | Single group, pre-/posttest design using mixed methods | 50 women mobile distributors | Transformative (Positive/Negative): Strengthened women’s earning and decision-making power. Also shifted men's role as predominate breadwinner, resulting in some tensions and abuse. |
Women entrepreneurs sold and distributed mobile phone products to other women with health-added services and mobile phone literacy training | ||||||
GSMA mWomen Programme | ||||||
(6) L’Engle et al.[39] | Reproductive Health: | Tanzania | To evaluate mHealth intervention’s feasibility, reach, and effect on contraception use | Single group, posttest design using mobile queries and questionnaire | 1,142 phone query users | Transformative: |
Users opted-into an interactive and menu-based SMS portal that provided automated information about family planning methods. | Created new channel for male engagement and potential increased couple’s communication on family planning. | |||||
Contraception | ||||||
(7) Odigie et al.[41] | Cancer: | Nigeria | To determine platform effectiveness to improve communication and patient follow-up rates | Single group, posttest design using structured in-person interviews | 1,160 oncology patients | Transformative and Non-Transformative: New communication mode for women circumvents spousal dependence and permission. Yet, men make calls on behalf of women to sustain decision-making roles. |
Patients received SMS cancer treatment reminders and were invited to utilize a call-hotline to talk to registered physicians/health providers about cancer-related health concerns and psycho-social support. | ||||||
Psycho-Oncology |