An Initial Study Review of Designing a Technology Solution for Women in Technologically Deprived Areas or Low Resource Constraint Communities
Jones Yeboah, Sophia Bampoh, Annu Sible Prabhakar
TL;DR
Ghanaian women face high depression risk compounded by limited internet access and mobile constraints. The paper surveys USSD-based design and HCI principles as a means to deliver mental health information to resource-poor communities without internet connectivity, drawing on prior health IT deployments in Ghana. It outlines design principles, potential health-domain applications, and gaps in language localization and data security, proposing a path toward a USSD-enabled depression information and triage system. This work provides a blueprint for scalable, internet-free health information delivery that could improve mental health equity in Ghana and similar low-resource settings.
Abstract
In the West African country of Ghana, depression is a significant issue affecting a large number of women. Despite its importance, the issue received insufficient attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. In developed countries, mobile phones serve as a convenient medium for accessing health information and providers. However, in Ghana, women's access to mobile phones is limited by cultural, social, and financial constraints, hindering their ability to seek mental health information and support. While some women in deprived areas can afford feature phones, such as the Nokia 3310, the lack of advanced smartphone features further restricts their access to necessary health information. This paper reviews the potential of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) technology to address these challenges. Unlike Short Messaging Service (SMS), USSD can facilitate data collection, complex transactions, and provide information access without the need for internet connectivity. This research proposes studying the use of USSD to improve access to mental health resources for resource-deprived women in Ghana.