Scoping review of health information technology usability methods leveraged in Africa

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to explore the state of health information technology (HIT) usability evaluation in Africa. Materials and Methods We searched three electronic databases: PubMed, Embase, and Association for Computing Machinery. We categorized the stage of evaluations, the type of interactions assessed, and methods applied using Stead’s System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Bennett and Shackel’s usability models. Results Analysis of 73 of 1002 articles that met inclusion criteria reveals that HIT usability evaluations in Africa have increased in recent years and mainly focused on later SDLC stage (stages 4 and 5) evaluations in sub-Saharan Africa. Forty percent of the articles examined system-user-task-environment (type 4) interactions. Most articles used mixed methods to measure usability. Interviews and surveys were often used at each development stage, while other methods, such as quality-adjusted life year analysis, were only found at stage 5. Sixty percent of articles did not include a theoretical model or framework. Discussion The use of multistage evaluation and mixed methods approaches to obtain a comprehensive understanding HIT usability is critical to ensure that HIT meets user needs. Conclusions Developing and enhancing usable HIT is critical to promoting equitable health service delivery and high-quality care in Africa. Early-stage evaluations (stages 1 and 2) and interactions (types 0 and 1) should receive special attention to ensure HIT usability prior to implementing HIT in the field.

Integrating Ai Into Health Informatics for Enhanced Public Health in Africa: A Comprehensive Review

“…On the one hand, Africa faces a number of challenges in adopting and implementing health informatics solutions, including a lack of infrastructure, a shortage of skilled IT professionals, and a lack of funding (Conte et al, 2023, Sinde et al, 2023, Ukoba et al, 2023, Al Meslamani, 2023. On the other hand, there is a growing recognition of the potential of health informatics to improve healthcare in Africa, and a number of initiatives are underway to address the challenges and harness the opportunities (Dougherty, Hobensack, and Bakken, 2023). Africa has a limited telecommunications infrastructure, making it difficult to connect healthcare facilities to the internet and to each other (Oughton, 2023, Haq et al 2023.…”