A mobile technology-based information dissemination (MOBTID) framework for non-communicable diseases in Uganda

Abstract

Mobile health technology has become one of the most effective communications technologies supporting health care services in many countries worldwide, not excluding Uganda. Mobile health has significantly raised awareness of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) in some developing countries such as Kenya, South Africa, India and Zambia. However, mobile health technology in Uganda has raised awareness of communicable diseases like Tuberculosis (TB) and Human Immune Virus (HIV AIDS). Yet, NCD is one of the leading contributors to death worldwide. This study sought to develop an information dissemination framework to support the use of mobile technology for creating awareness meant to reduce the burden of NCDs in Uganda. The study achieved this objective by investigating the requirements for a mobile technology-based information dissemination framework for NCDs in Uganda. The study applied the case study research methodology, administering a structured questionnaire to sports science students of Kyambogo University. At the same time, interviews were used to gather information from staff members of the Uganda noncommunicable disease Alliance (UNCDA) and Uganda diabetes society (UDA) organizations in Uganda using a purposive sampling technique. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the interview data, while SPSS was used to analyze the quantitative data. The requirements of the mobile technology-based framework for disseminating information about NCDs were derived from the findings of the primary data. The findings revealed the challenges to creating awareness of NCDs in Uganda. The framework was evaluated following a structured walkthrough to determine reliability and completeness. This study indicates that the framework addresses the challenges of creating awareness of NCDs in Uganda. The significant contribution of this study is the advanced mobile technology-based framework that guides the dissemination of NCDs information in Uganda.