Digital Health Access in Senegalese Rural Lesotho: Smartphone Adoption and Diagnostic Test Utilization Over Two Years

Digital health access is a growing trend in many regions, but its impact on rural populations remains underexplored. The study employed qualitative methods including participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions with a diverse sample of Senegalese rural residents. Data collection occurred over two years to capture dynamic changes in digital health practices. Smartphone adoption rates varied significantly across different age groups, with older adults less likely to use smartphones for health-related tasks. Diagnostic test utilization was notably higher among younger participants who had more access to technology and healthcare resources. The findings suggest that while smartphone adoption is increasing, there are significant disparities in digital health usage patterns between different demographic segments, which could affect equitable public healthcare outcomes. Healthcare providers should tailor their interventions to address the varying needs of Senegalese rural residents regarding digital health access and utilization. Public awareness campaigns targeting older adults may be particularly effective in increasing smartphone adoption for health purposes.