Health Informatics and Improvements in Maternal and Child Health in Rural Communities: A Scoping Review
Abstract
Background: According to the United Nations (UN), approximately 830 women have died from pregnancy-related complications, with most maternal deaths being avoidable with timely access to quality healthcare. Health Informatics is vital in addressing healthcare disparities in rural communities by identifying and addressing health inequities in health services and through health education. Health informatics has the potential to bridge the gap between rural and urban healthcare, leading to better health outcomes for individuals living in rural areas.
Objective: This study investigated the role of health informatics in enhancing maternal and child health (MCH) in rural communities and described opportunities, challenges, and recommendations regarding the adoption of health informatics in MCH.
Methodology: Peer-reviewed articles were identified from Google Scholar, PubMed, and Cochrane Library via a combination of search terms. Quantitative and mixed-methods papers published in English between January 2010 to January 2023 were included.
Results: Ten articles from the three online libraries, were selected for their title and abstract, access to articles as well as study type. After secondary screening, 5 articles were selected, and the other five articles were excluded because they were irrelevant to the research question. Three of the articles were based in Sub-Saharan Africa, one in East Asia, and one in South America. These studies reviewed used mobile health apps, electronic Clinical Decision Support Systems, and electrical medical records. These methods showed an overall positive impact of the systematic use of informatics on antenatal care and in birth and delivery.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the implementation of HIT in rural communities has the potential to improve maternal healthcare services. The quality and completeness of patient data can significantly impact the quality of care provided, and eHealth systems, including cloud-based EMR and mHealth interventions, have been shown to enhance data completeness and shareability among healthcare providers.
Keywords
Maternal Health, Health Informatics, Rural Communities
Health Informatics and Improvements in Maternal and Child Health in Rural Communities: A Scoping Review
Background: According to the United Nations (UN), approximately 830 women have died from pregnancy-related complications, with most maternal deaths being avoidable with timely access to quality healthcare. Health Informatics is vital in addressing healthcare disparities in rural communities by identifying and addressing health inequities in health services and through health education. Health informatics has the potential to bridge the gap between rural and urban healthcare, leading to better health outcomes for individuals living in rural areas.
Objective: This study investigated the role of health informatics in enhancing maternal and child health (MCH) in rural communities and described opportunities, challenges, and recommendations regarding the adoption of health informatics in MCH.
Methodology: Peer-reviewed articles were identified from Google Scholar, PubMed, and Cochrane Library via a combination of search terms. Quantitative and mixed-methods papers published in English between January 2010 to January 2023 were included.
Results: Ten articles from the three online libraries, were selected for their title and abstract, access to articles as well as study type. After secondary screening, 5 articles were selected, and the other five articles were excluded because they were irrelevant to the research question. Three of the articles were based in Sub-Saharan Africa, one in East Asia, and one in South America. These studies reviewed used mobile health apps, electronic Clinical Decision Support Systems, and electrical medical records. These methods showed an overall positive impact of the systematic use of informatics on antenatal care and in birth and delivery.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the implementation of HIT in rural communities has the potential to improve maternal healthcare services. The quality and completeness of patient data can significantly impact the quality of care provided, and eHealth systems, including cloud-based EMR and mHealth interventions, have been shown to enhance data completeness and shareability among healthcare providers.
