Use of mHealth technology for modification of behavioural risk factors of noncommunicable diseases in primary health care settings: Effectiveness and Feasibility in South East Asian Region Countries

Abstract

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) kill 41 million people each year, of which more than three-quarters occur in low- and middle-income countries. Four groups of diseases, namely cardiovascular diseases, cancers, respiratory diseases, and diabetes, account for over 80% of all premature NCD deaths, and four common modifiable behaviors, namely tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and the harmful use of alcohol, increase the risk of NCDs. The use of mHealth interventions for Behavior Change Communication has been shown to be effective in modifying the behavioral risk factors, through various studies. The present study proposes to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of the use of mHealth in improving diet and increasing physical activity, which are two of the major behavioral risk factors of NCDs. Research reported on this, from countries in the South-East Asian Region, during the past 20 years, will be included in this review.