Introduction: Infectious diseases continue to pose significant global health challenges, exacerbated by factors such as population growth, urbanization, and global travel. Digital health technologies have emerged as powerful tools in the fight against infectious diseases, offering innovative solutions for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management. This systematic review aims to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of digital health interventions in combating infectious diseases.
Objectives:
The primary objective of this systematic review is to synthesize existing evidence on the role of digital health technologies in combating infectious diseases. The review focuses on identifying key digital health interventions, assessing their effectiveness, and exploring the contextual factors that influence their implementation and outcomes.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, and Web of Science, to identify relevant studies published between January 2010 and December 2023. Inclusion criteria encompassed peer-reviewed articles, randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and qualitative research that evaluated digital health interventions targeting infectious diseases. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers, with discrepancies resolved through consensus
Results: The review identified 60 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Digital health interventions were categorized into five main types: telemedicine and telehealth services, mobile health (mHealth) applications, electronic health records (EHR) systems, digital surveillance and tracking tools, and artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning applications. Telemedicine and telehealth services were found to improve access to care and patient outcomes, particularly in remote and underserved areas. mHealth applications demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing disease surveillance, patient education, and medication adherence. EHR systems facilitated better data management and coordination of care. Digital surveillance and tracking tools enabled early detection and response to outbreaks. AI and machine learning applications showed promise in predicting disease patterns and optimizing treatment protocols.
Conclusion: Digital health technologies play a crucial role in combating infectious diseases by enhancing prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management. Future efforts should focus on addressing implementation challenges, fostering cross-sector collaborations, and ensuring equitable access to digital health tools. Continued research and innovation are essential to leverage the full potential of digital health in the global fight against infectious diseases.
Keywords: infectious diseases public health Digital health