Doyle AM, Bandason T, Dauya E, McHugh G, Grundy C, Dringus S, Dziva Chikwari C, Ferrand RA. Mobile Phone Access and Implications for Digital Health Interventions Among Adolescents and Young Adults in Zimbabwe: Cross-Sectional Survey. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2021;9(1):e21244 doi: 10.2196/21244
This study investigated access to information and communication technologies among adolescents and young adults in Zimbabwe. Researchers conducted a cross-sectional population survey among people aged 13-24 in five communities in urban and semi-urban Harare and Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe. Participants completed survey questions asking about mobile phone ownership and use, Internet use, and use of other technological devices. Results showed 62.6% owned a phone and a further 4.3% had access to a shared phone. Phone ownership increased with age and education level. There were no differences in gender and other sociodemographic factors on mobile phone ownership or use. The most commonly used phone app was Whatsapp and only 16.4% reported having ever used their phone to track their health. The majority (64.5%) currently had access to the Internet, with higher access among males, unmarried respondents, those with higher education, and phone owners. Based on the findings, mobile phone-based interventions could be feasible among this age group in Zimbabwe. Factors such as Internet access and phone functionality (e.g., capacity to run additional apps) should be taken into account when developing web- or app-based interventions.