Table 1 Characteristics of included studies

Chindo et al. [21] (Cameroon)

101

Age, Sex: nr

Chart review

Access to mobile phones; Successful contact

Three-fold increase (20% to 60%) in parents with mobile phone from 2007–2010. 59% of parents able to be contacted. 101 guardians of 285 patients.

Disease: Burkitt’s lymphoma

Setting: Two hospitals

Pastakia et al. [22] (Kenya)

641

Age: 2–88 years

Single center report

Change in HbA1C with home glucose monitoring

Decrease in HbA1C from 13.2% to 10.5% (P < 0.001) after 3–6 months.

Sex: nr

Disease: Diabetes

Setting: Teaching hospital and satellite clinics

Parham et al. [23] (Zambia)

nr

Age, Sex: nr

Single center report

Feasibility of digital cervicography intervention

Same-visit cryotherapy; referrals were feasible and bypassed historic barriers to care.

Disease: Cervical cancer

Setting: Nurses in clinics

Odigie et al. [24] (Nigeria)

1160

Age: 18–82 years

Prospective

Call reason and duration; patient perception; clinic attendance

98% of patients contacted their oncologist. 73% of calls to discuss illness or treatment; 26% to arrange next appointment; 1% of calls to extend social greeting. 100% of intervention patients and 19% of control patients adhered to clinic appointments.

Sex: 57% Female

Disease: Any cancer

Setting: Clinics of a teaching hospital

Rotheram-Borus et al. [25] (South Africa)

22

Age: 21–74 years

Single arm intervention

Uptake of text messaging, body mass index, blood pressure, styles of coping, emotional distress, sedentary time

Positive effects on sleep, positive action, and coping. More text messages between buddies than to the program (19 883 vs.1321). 29% response rate to text questions. Higher diastolic blood pressure (+7 mmHg) and less spiritual hope at 6 months. High-texters had higher BMIs and more sedentary time.

Sex: 100% female

Disease: Diabetes

Setting: Local clinic