Predicting telemedicine system user satisfaction in sub-Saharan Africa

This article describes how in developing countries, the work on regulatory aspects of telemedicine systems and applications is still in infancy. During our literature review and on-site research in Sub-Saharan Africa, we could not point out any work on measuring the quality of service (QoS) and quality of experience (QoE or QoX) provided by the telemedicine systems, thus making it impossible to measure the overall level of system user satisfaction in Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, we conducted a qualitative and quantitative study to measure network QoS performance and end-user QoE perception of telemedicine systems using publicly accessible conversation tool Skype in Mali and Senegal. The results show that about 75% of the users were satisfied with the quality of teleconsultation service provided and 60% of the users have good impression on the network performance. Based on obtained results, we propose KPIs such as global QoS for measuring QoS and propose a mathematical formula to predict the corresponding QoE, since there exists a relationship between QoS and QoE.

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Evaluation of Telemedicine Systems User Satisfaction in Developing Countries

International Journal of E-Health and Medical Communications ◽

10.4018/ijehmc.2018070104 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 62-78

Author(s):

Thierry Edoh ◽

Pravin Amrut Pawar ◽

Ahmed Dooguy Kora

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

User Satisfaction ◽

Network Performance ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

End User ◽

System User ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Qos Performance ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative Study

This article describes how in developing countries, the work on regulatory aspects of telemedicine systems and applications is still in infancy. During our literature review and on-site research in Sub-Saharan Africa, we could not point out any work on measuring the quality of service (QoS) and quality of experience (QoE or QoX) provided by the telemedicine systems, thus making it impossible to measure the overall level of system user satisfaction in Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, we conducted a qualitative and quantitative study to measure network QoS performance and end-user QoE perception of telemedicine systems using publicly accessible conversation tool Skype in Mali and Senegal. The results show that about 75% of the users were satisfied with the quality of teleconsultation service provided and 60% of the users have good impression on the network performance. Based on obtained results, we propose KPIs such as global QoS for measuring QoS and propose a mathematical formula to predict the corresponding QoE, since there exists a relationship between QoS and QoE.

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Do rope and washer pumps provide safe water and satisfied users? A case study piloting new rural water supply technology in Rumphi District, Malawi

Water SA ◽

10.17159/wsa/2019.v45.i3.6742 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 45 (3 July) ◽

Author(s):

Jacob C Mkandawire ◽

Mavuto Tembo ◽

Muthi Nhlema ◽

Joel Luhanga ◽

Rochelle H Holm

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Drinking Water ◽

Rural Communities ◽

Water Supply ◽

User Satisfaction ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Rural Water Supply ◽

Safe Water ◽

Rural Water ◽

Sub Saharan

Innovation is needed to develop rural water supply to support sub-Saharan Africa communities that are hard to reach. The purpose of this study was to critically review rope and washer pumps that have been installed on manually drilled boreholes in 48 communities as part of a pilot project in Rumphi District, Malawi, and which serve as a sustainable source of drinking water from both technical (water quality and functionality) and social (user satisfaction) perspectives. At each water source, an infrastructure checklist was used (n = 48); 10 users were interviewed (n = 472); and, if the pump had water, water quality samples were collected (n = 24). The results show that use of a professional driller does not guarantee a functioning rope and washer pump that produces safe water. Where the pumps were functional, most provided safe drinking water. However, only 8% (4/48) of pumps had good water quality, a flow rate of >20 L/min and a full consensus of positive satisfaction among users. Pumps are not necessarily working better or worse in more remote areas. A process of introducing and creating evaluative guidelines for new (approved) technologies for rural water supply has not been established in Malawi. Sub-Saharan African governments need to be open to innovative solutions while making sure that standards, including those for functionality, water quality, user satisfaction, private operators, and human capacity for local government regulators, are being followed to ensure safe water for rural communities.

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The Usability of Electronic Medical Record Systems Implemented in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Literature Review of the Evidence (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.9317 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Michael Kavuma

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Load ◽

Medical Record ◽

Electronic Medical Record ◽

User Satisfaction ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Rating System ◽

Evaluation Methodology ◽

System Usability ◽

Patient Health ◽

Sub Saharan

BACKGROUND Electronic medical record (EMR) systems hold the exciting promise of accurate, real-time access to patient health care data and great potential to improve the quality of patient care through decision support to clinicians. This review evaluated the usability of EMR systems implemented in sub-Saharan Africa based on a usability evaluation criterion developed by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). OBJECTIVE This review aimed to evaluate EMR system implementations in sub-Saharan Africa against a well-defined evaluation methodology and assess their usability based on a defined set of metrics. In addition, the review aimed to identify the extent to which usability has been an enabling or hindering factor in the implementation of EMR systems in sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS Five key metrics for evaluating EMR system usability were developed based on the methodology proposed by HIMSS. These were efficiency, effectiveness, ease of learning, cognitive load, and user satisfaction. A 5-point rating system was developed for the review. EMR systems in 19 reviewed publications were scored based on this rating system. It awarded 5 points per metric to any EMR system that was identified as excellent, 4 points for good, 3 points for fair, 2 points for poor, and 1 point for bad. In addition, each of the 5 key metrics carried a maximum weighted score of 20. The percentage scores for each metric were then computed from the weighted scores from which the final overall usability score was derived. RESULTS In possibly contributing to the usability of implemented EMR systems, ease of learning obtained the highest percentage score of 71% (SD 1.09) followed by cognitive load in second place with a score of 68% (SD 1.62). Effectiveness followed closely in third place at 67% (SD 1.47) and efficiency was in fourth place at 64% (SD 1.04). User satisfaction came in last at 63% (SD 1.70). The overall usability score for all systems was calculated to be 66%. CONCLUSIONS The usability of EMR systems implemented in sub-Saharan Africa has been good with ease of learning possibly being the biggest positive contributor to this rating. Cognitive load and effectiveness have also possibly positively influenced the usability of EMR systems, whereas efficiency and user satisfaction have perhaps contributed least to positively influencing EMR system usability.

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RTS,S/AS01, a vaccine targeting pre-erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum

Emerging Topics in Life Sciences ◽

10.1042/etls20170101 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 1 (6) ◽

pp. 533-537

Author(s):

Lorenz von Seidlein ◽

Borimas Hanboonkunupakarn ◽

Podjanee Jittmala ◽

Sasithon Pukrittayakamee

Keyword(s):

Protective Efficacy ◽

Age Groups ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Phase Iii ◽

European Medicines Agency ◽

Older Children ◽

Pivotal Phase ◽

Malaria Epidemiology ◽

Maximum Benefit ◽

Sub Saharan

RTS,S/AS01 is the most advanced vaccine to prevent malaria. It is safe and moderately effective. A large pivotal phase III trial in over 15 000 young children in sub-Saharan Africa completed in 2014 showed that the vaccine could protect around one-third of children (aged 5–17 months) and one-fourth of infants (aged 6–12 weeks) from uncomplicated falciparum malaria. The European Medicines Agency approved licensing and programmatic roll-out of the RTSS vaccine in malaria endemic countries in sub-Saharan Africa. WHO is planning further studies in a large Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme, in more than 400 000 young African children. With the changing malaria epidemiology in Africa resulting in older children at risk, alternative modes of employment are under evaluation, for example the use of RTS,S/AS01 in older children as part of seasonal malaria prophylaxis. Another strategy is combining mass drug administrations with mass vaccine campaigns for all age groups in regional malaria elimination campaigns. A phase II trial is ongoing to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the RTSS in combination with antimalarial drugs in Thailand. Such novel approaches aim to extract the maximum benefit from the well-documented, short-lasting protective efficacy of RTS,S/AS01.

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Mortality and Society in Sub-Saharan Africa

Population Studies ◽

10.1080/0032472031000147416 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 47 (3) ◽

pp. 555-556

Author(s):

Lado Ruzicka

Keyword(s):

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Sub Saharan

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Sub-Saharan Africa

The Military Balance ◽

10.1080/04597228708459635 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 87 (1) ◽

pp. 118-142

Keyword(s):

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Sub Saharan

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Adolescent Suicidality as Seen in Rural Northeastern Uganda

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000059 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 32 (1) ◽

pp. 43-51 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Eugene Kinyanda ◽

Ruth Kizza ◽

Jonathan Levin ◽

Sheila Ndyanabangi ◽

Catherine Abbo

Keyword(s):

Low Socioeconomic Status ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Psychosocial Risk ◽

Psychiatric Nurses ◽

Health Concern ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Childhood Experiences ◽

Low Socioeconomic ◽

Dsm Iv ◽

Sub Saharan

Background: Suicidal behavior in adolescence is a public health concern and has serious consequences for adolescents and their families. There is, however, a paucity of data on this subject from sub-Saharan Africa, hence the need for this study. Aims: A cross-sectional multistage survey to investigate adolescent suicidality among other things was undertaken in rural northeastern Uganda. Methods: A structured protocol administered by trained psychiatric nurses collected information on sociodemographics, mental disorders (DSM-IV criteria), and psychological and psychosocial risk factors for children aged 3–19 years (N = 1492). For the purposes of this paper, an analysis of a subsample of adolescents (aged 10–19 years; n = 897) was undertaken. Results: Lifetime suicidality in this study was 6.1% (95% CI, 4.6%–7.9%). Conclusions: Factors significantly associated with suicidality included mental disorder, the ecological factor district of residence, factors suggestive of low socioeconomic status, and disadvantaged childhood experiences.

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