Effects of information and communication technology use in nursing and obstetric learning in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review

Background The use of ICT in learning has become commonplace in higher education and, consequently, in nurses, midwives, and other health professionals worldwide. This use has become widespread and intensified since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite growing evidence that e-learning has positive effects, studies on the effects of ICT use in nursing and midwifery learning in low- and middle-income countries are limited. Objectives This systematic review aims to identify and synthesize the effects of information and communication technologies utilization in nursing and obstetric learning in low- and middle-income countries. Methods A search of articles published from 2016 to 2020 on the effects of ICT use in nursing and obstetric learning was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Epistemonikos and ERIC using free and controlled vocabularies. All original articles meeting the predefined criteria were included. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines, searches were performed among published and unpublished articles. Data were extracted and assessed for quality using the Mixed Methods Analysis Tool (MMAT). Results Of 483 articles identified, eleven were reviewed, and eight were found to be relevant. The included articles were synthesized into a narrative synthesis. The effects of using ICT in learning are related to student motivation, autonomy in learning, meaningful acquisition of knowledge and skills. Furthermore, students have a positive perception of the use of ICT in learning. Conclusion The results of this study on the use of ICTs in nursing and midwifery learning in low- and middle-income countries show that ICTs are used primarily as a medium for distance learning. In addition, it was found that e-learning has several advantages or positive effects. However, many students do not have a personal computer, and they have low or average skills in the use of computer tools, and access to the Internet is low. A limitation of this study is the lack of primary data on the effects of ICT use in midwifery learning in low- and middle-income countries.