title: Informal m-health: How are young people using mobile phones to bridge healthcare gaps in Sub-Saharan Africa?
abstract: The African communications 'revolution' has generated optimism that mobile phones might help overcome infrastructural barriers to healthcare provision in resource-poor contexts. However, while formal m-health programmes remain limited in coverage and scope, young people are using mobile phones creatively and strategically in an attempt to secure effective healthcare. Drawing on qualitative and quantitative data collected in 2012-2014 from over 4500 young people (aged 8-25 y) in Ghana, Malawi and South Africa, this paper documents these practices and the new therapeutic opportunities they create, alongside the constraints, contingencies and risks. We argue that young people are endeavouring to lay claim to a digitally-mediated form of therapeutic citizenship, but that a lack of appropriate resources, social networks and skills ('digital capital'), combined with ongoing shortcomings in healthcare delivery, can compromise their ability to do this effectively. The paper concludes by offering tentative suggestions for remedying this situation.
authors: Dept. of Anthropology, Durham University, UK. Electronic address: K.R.Hampshire@durham.ac.uk.
authors: Kate
authors: K
authors: Hampshire
authors: Dept. of Anthropology, Durham University, UK.
authors: Gina
authors: G
authors: Porter
authors: Dept. of Population and Health, University of Cape Coast, Ghana.
authors: Samuel Asiedu
authors: SA
authors: Owusu
authors: Dept. of Geography and Regional Planning, University of Cape Coast, Ghana.
authors: Simon
authors: S
authors: Mariwah
authors: Dept. of Geography and Regional Planning, University of Cape Coast, Ghana.
authors: Albert
authors: A
authors: Abane
authors: Dept of Geography, University of Hull, UK.
authors: Elsbeth
authors: E
authors: Robson
authors: Centre for Social Research, University of Malawi, Malawi.
authors: Alister
authors: A
authors: Munthali
authors: Children's Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
authors: Ariane
authors: A
authors: DeLannoy
authors: Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa.
authors: Andisiwe
authors: A
authors: Bango
authors: Children's Institute, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
authors: Nwabisa
authors: N
authors: Gunguluza
authors: Centre for Social Research, University of Malawi, Malawi.
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Milner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000067697:Adolescent Health; D000328:Adult; D040421:Cell Phone / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008295:Malawi; D008297:Male; D012944:Social Support; D013019:South Africa; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adolescent health; Digital capital; Ghana; Malawi; Mobile phones; South Africa; Therapeutic citizenship; m-health