Digital Health Technology Use in Southern Africa: Challenges and Opportunities for Cancer Diagnosis

Despite improvements in early cancer diagnosis worldwide, morbidity and mortality in Southern Africa continue to rise due to challenges with funding, sociocultural beliefs, and healthcare access. Digital health technology has the potential to expand access to healthcare, particularly in remote communities. However, few studies have explored the use of digital health technology to support symptomatic cancer diagnosis in Southern Africa. A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Cape Town explored the barriers and facilitators to digital health technology use by healthcare workers in supporting the management of people with symptoms of possible breast, cervical, or colorectal cancer in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Key Takeaways:

• The lack of reliable infrastructure hindered the use of digital health technology among healthcare workers.
• The use of personal mobile devices increased eHealth access at the expense of patient privacy and personal cost.
• Information, workflow integration, and access were key themes in the study, with many tools being poorly integrated into workflow and disrupting consultations.
• Healthcare workers' attitudes toward digital health technology ranged from enthusiasm to resistance, with a willingness to adapt to its use.
• Infrastructural challenges must be addressed, and tools designed to meet user needs and be integrated into clinical workflow to capitalize on the potential benefits of eHealth use among healthcare workers.
• Energy production in the regions is largely reliant on burning fossil fuels, and the use of eHealth tools risks contributing negatively to climate change.
• The findings of the study can be used to guide future eHealth design or implementation strategies that are more contextually suitable.

Statistics:

• Median age of participants: 44 (IQR 34-53) years
• 38 (68%) participants were female
• 61% of participants were nurses, and 32% were doctors
• The study explored the use of digital health technology to support symptomatic cancer diagnosis in 56 HCWs

Sources:

• Health Care Workers' Perspectives on the Barriers and Facilitators to Digital Health Technology Use to Support Symptomatic Cancer Diagnosis in Southern Africa: Qualitative Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 2025;27.
• NewsRx. University of Cape Town Reports Findings in Medical Technology (Health Care Workers' Perspectives on the Barriers and Facilitators to Digital Health Technology Use to Support Symptomatic Cancer Diagnosis in Southern Africa: Qualitative Study). Journal of Engineering. August 4, 2025; p 5325.