Evaluating Feasibility and Effectiveness of Implementing Cross-Country Mhealth Interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) pose a significant public health challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa, where traditional healthcare systems in Sub-Saharan Africa often grapple with limited infrastructure, healthcare worker shortages, and accessibility challenges. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions have emerged as promising tools to enhance health promotion and literacy, providing innovative solutions to these challenges. This study evaluates the feasibility and effectiveness of cross-country mHealth interventions through a secondary analysis of the NCD 365 project, which utilized outcome data from January to December 2020. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select participants from five countries, and data were collected via an online Google form. The analysis focused on platform usage, literacy distribution, and the relationship between health literacy levels and the platforms used. Descriptive statistics and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used to evaluate the data. Results indicated that WhatsApp was the most widely used platform in four of the five countries, while Twitter predominated in Uganda. Adjusted literacy levels varied slightly, with Kenya and Nigeria showing higher levels compared to Cameroon, Zimbabwe, and Uganda. Gender differences in literacy were minimal, with males displaying marginally higher literacy scores. The Kruskal-Wallis test revealed no significant differences in literacy levels across platforms or countries, reinforcing the feasibility and effectiveness of cross-country mHealth interventions. These findings suggest that initiatives like the NCD 365 project can effectively promote health literacy and healthcare delivery across diverse settings in Sub-Saharan Africa. While regional differences in platform preferences exist, the overall success of the project highlights the potential for scalable and adaptable mHealth strategies. Future research should focus on the long-term impacts and platform-specific effectiveness to further optimize mHealth interventions.