Building Inclusive Digital Platforms for Community Health Monitoring in Underserved Areas
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Background. Access to reliable health information and services remains a significant challenge in underserved and remote communities, where limitations in infrastructure, transportation, and professional healthcare availability persist. Traditional health monitoring systems often exclude marginalized populations due to digital illiteracy, lack of connectivity, and non-inclusive design. As global health systems increasingly turn toward digital transformation, there is a pressing need to ensure that community health technologies are accessible, culturally appropriate, and designed for inclusivity.
Purpose. This study aims to design and implement an inclusive digital health monitoring platform tailored to the needs of underserved populations, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas. The platform integrates basic health screening functions, maternal and child health tracking, vaccination reminders, and a local language interface. A human-centered design (HCD) approach was adopted, involving iterative prototyping and feedback sessions with community health workers (CHWs) and local residents in three underserved districts.
Method. A qualitative research design with a participatory action research (PAR) approach was employed, utilizing human-centered design (HCD) principles. The research involved iterative prototyping and feedback sessions with community health workers (CHWs) and local residents in three underserved districts. Data collection methods included focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, user observations, and usability testing, ensuring that user experience and local context were central throughout the development process.
Results. The results show increased engagement and adoption among users, with 85% of CHWs reporting improved efficiency in patient tracking and follow-up care. Users with minimal digital literacy were able to operate the platform after short onboarding sessions. Community feedback highlighted the importance of localized content, offline accessibility, and visual aids in ensuring successful use.
Conclusion. This research concludes that inclusive digital platforms can bridge health information gaps and empower local health actors. When developed collaboratively and grounded in community contexts, digital tools offer scalable solutions for improving public health outcomes in marginalized areas.
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