Opportunities and Challenges of Implementing Solar-Powered Digital Health in Low-Resource Settings: A Mixed-Methods Study.
Background: Digital health systems can improve healthcare delivery in low-resource settings but are often constrained by unreliable electricity and inadequate infrastructure. Solar-powered energy systems offer a promising solution to improve the resilience and sustainability of digital health servic...
| Publicado en: | Inquiry (00469580) Vol. 63; pp. 1 - 18 |
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| Autores principales: | , , |
| Formato: | Artículo |
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Sage Publications Inc.
9/1/2026
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| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | Ver este registro en EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=hlh&AN=196750203&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: hlh uiTerm: 196750203 longDbName: Humanities International Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: jinfo: jid: 00469580 INQ jtl: Inquiry (00469580) issn: 00469580 maglogo: Y pubinfo: dt: 9/1/2026 vid: 63 pid: 344 pub: Sage Publications Inc. artinfo: ui: 196750203 10.1177/00469580261485823 ppf: 1 ppct: 17 formats: tig: atl: Opportunities and Challenges of Implementing Solar-Powered Digital Health in Low-Resource Settings: A Mixed-Methods Study. aug: au: Nyatuka, Ronald Danny Macharia, Paul Rahman Jabin, Md Shafiqur affil: School of Computing and Engineering Sciences, Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya Department of Medicine and Optometry, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden su: Cross-sectional method Health services accessibility Internet access Human services programs Health facility administration Research funding Cost effectiveness Digital health Power resources Pilot projects Evaluation of human services programs Information technology Judgment sampling Descriptive statistics Rural health services Telemedicine Thematic analysis Research methodology Research Electronic health records Sustainable development Conceptual structures Resource-limited settings Data analysis software Reliability (Personality trait) Kenya Ethiopia sug: subj: Kenya Ethiopia Cross-sectional method Health services accessibility Internet access Human services programs Health facility administration Research funding Cost effectiveness Digital health Power resources Pilot projects Evaluation of human services programs Information technology Judgment sampling Descriptive statistics Rural health services Telemedicine Thematic analysis Research methodology Research Electronic health records Sustainable development Conceptual structures Resource-limited settings Data analysis software Reliability (Personality trait) keyword: digital health digital health infrastructure electronic medical records health information systems health system strengthening healthcare facilities low-resource settings mixed-methods research renewable energy solar energy ab: Background: Digital health systems can improve healthcare delivery in low-resource settings but are often constrained by unreliable electricity and inadequate infrastructure. Solar-powered energy systems offer a promising solution to improve the resilience and sustainability of digital health services. This study evaluated the opportunities, challenges, technical feasibility, economic viability, and health system readiness for implementing solar-powered digital health systems in low-resource settings. Methods: A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted across 12 public health facilities in rural and peri-urban areas. Quantitative data were collected through structured facility assessments and surveys, while qualitative data were obtained through key informant interviews and observational assessments. Descriptive statistics were used for quantitative analysis, and thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data. Findings were integrated to generate system-level insights. Results: Although 86% of facilities were connected to the national grid, only 29% reported reliable electricity, and 83% experienced frequent power outages. Limited computing resources (29%) and unstable internet connectivity (60%) further constrained digital health operations. Most facilities (75%) reported high energy-related costs, often due to generator use. Despite these challenges, 92% of respondents supported solar-powered solutions, citing improved service continuity, reduced operational disruptions, and enhanced system performance. Qualitative findings highlighted reliance on paper-based workarounds and emphasized the interdependence of energy, connectivity, and digital infrastructure. Conclusion: Solar-powered digital health systems represent a feasible and context-appropriate approach for strengthening digital health infrastructure in low-resource settings. However, successful implementation requires coordinated investments addressing technical, financial, and organizational barriers to support long-term sustainability and health system resilience. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: Article src: R language: English refInfo: copyright: @attributes: flag: Y dt: @attributes: year: 2026 holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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