title: Health information technologies for sexual and reproductive health: Mapping the evidence in Latin America and the Caribbean.
abstract: In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of populations is a high priority for governments. Health information technologies (HITs) have been proposed as tools to close access gaps for SRH services. We developed an "evidence map" through a systematic search of articles published between 2005 and 2015 about the use of HITs to enhance SRH services in LAC countries. Two hundred and thirty-two registries were identified and screened. Thirty-one were eligible for full-text assessment. Most of the documents retrieved correspond to information provided by technology developers, targeting primarily the prevention of sexually transmitted infections and adolescent health. Although there has been clear progress in the use of HITs for SRH in the region, many institutional and technological challenges persist. Further studies should be carried out to test the beneficial effects of HITs on improving access to SRH services.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, State of Morelos Autonomous University, Morelos, Mexico.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nigenda
authors.affiliation: Cochrane Sexually Transmitted Infections Group, National University of Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Public Health, Av. Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jáuregui
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Public Health, Av. Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Silverman-Retana
authors.affiliation: Independent Consultant, Mexico, Mexico.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Casas
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Public Health, Av. Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. eservan@insp.mx.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Servan-Mori
mesh_terms: D017691:Caribbean Region; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America; D008297:Male; D008490:Medical Informatics; D060728:Reproductive Health; D034121:Reproductive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration
keywords: Latin America and the Caribbean; internet; mobile communication technology; sexual and reproductive health