Abstract
Sub-Saharan Africa has experienced unprecedented technological advancement, just like several other regions of the world. This improvement in technology lends credence to the proliferation of android mobile phones, laptops computers and the Internet facilities that enhance interaction on the social media which in turn generates momentous alterations in the ways the residents of the region construct their daily lives. From epidemiological perspective as well as the viewpoint of change and development, via these information technologies, rendering health-related care and services to the residents in the remote places of the region and gaining access to vital information that prompts prevention and control of diseases are now feasible unlike before the advancement. Therefore, telemedicine symbolizes a health innovation in the region. In the light of this, this paper systematically reviewed the extent to which telemedicine has gained acceptance among the residents of the region; and the socio-cultural factors and practices that promote and decelerate the general acceptance of telemedicine in the region. To accomplish the objective, the review was done meta-analytically and meta-synthetically to explore recent relevant studies. The paper discovered that reduction in the cost of gaining access to health information, harnessing online health and medical services, are among the benefits derived from telemedicine while fake online information, impoverished network service delivery, financial incapacity, theft, technical faults, underutilization of the technology devices and cyber-crime are among the factors that militate against wide acceptance of telemedicine in the region.
Highlights
Prior to twentieth century, it was unimaginable to conceive that residents of sub-Saharan Africa could have access to health-related care and services without physically consulting health practitioners
Wide acceptance coupled with full utilization of telemedicine in sub-Saharan Africa is conceivable and expected with a view to complementing the existing conventional medical care system in the region (Adenuga, Iahad, & Miskon, 2020; Otsen & Agyei-baffour, 2016; Yusif, 2014; Wootton et al, 2009)
The diffusion theory of innovation justifies the availability of radio, television, and in particular, android mobile phones and laptop computers which are the main devices that the residents of sub-Saharan African region utilize to get connected on the Internet and access the social media (Ajani & Fakunle, 2018)
Summary
It was unimaginable to conceive that residents of sub-Saharan Africa could have access to health-related care and services without physically consulting health practitioners. Studies in advanced regions of the world have presented a number of benefits inherent in providing and accessing online healthcare and medical service delivery (Alonso et al, 2021; Monaghesh & Hajizadeh, 2020; Lauckner & Whitten, 2016; Scott & Mars, 2013; Mistry, 2012) These studies further attest to the popular acceptance of telemedicine as a result of these inherent benefits in the advanced countries. The diffusion theory of innovation justifies the availability of radio, television, and in particular, android mobile phones and laptop computers which are the main devices that the residents of sub-Saharan African region utilize to get connected on the Internet and access the social media (Ajani & Fakunle, 2018). In spite of the diffusion and presence of telemedicine in the region, the extent of receptivity of telemedicine and the socio-cultural factors and practices that promote or decelerate the general acceptance of telemedicine in the region are open to academic discourse; this systematic review
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