[Paper Review] ICT and Health System Performance in Africa: A Multi-Method Approach

Felix Olu Bankole, Lucas Mimbi|arXiv (Cornell University)|May 4, 2016

Efficiency Analysis Using DEA42 references21 citations

TL;DR

This study examines the impact of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) on health system performance across 27 African countries using a multi-method approach combining Data Envelopment Analysis, Cluster Analysis, and Partial Least Squares. It finds that countries with higher ICT efficiency also exhibit better health system performance, with ICT significantly improving life expectancy and reducing infant mortality.

ABSTRACT

For the past two decades, the discussion regarding the effect of ICT on health systems is becoming apparent. However, past studies have mainly focused on ICT impact on specific social-economic phenomena. Little empirical research on ICT and health systems exists. Many African countries have invested in ICT and there is a need to examine if such investments have impacted on health system of these countries. Using a multi-method approach, data for 27 African countries were analysed. We employed Data Envelopment Analysis, Cluster Analysis and Partial Least Squares to examine the impact. The findings indicate that the 27 countries can be grouped into three clusters based on their relative efficiency scores of ICT and health systems. More compelling, the findings indicate that countries that performed efficiently in ICT inputs also do so in their health systems. Further, findings indicate that ICT significantly improves life expectancy at birth and reduces infant mortality rate. African countries must significantly invest in ICT to improve their health systems so as to achieve socio-economic development. The current study has theoretical, methodological and policy implications.

Motivation & Objective

• To assess the relationship between ICT investment and health system performance in African countries.
• To identify clusters of African countries based on their efficiency in ICT and health system performance.
• To determine whether ICT efficiency correlates with improvements in key health outcomes such as life expectancy and infant mortality.
• To provide empirical evidence on the role of ICT in advancing socio-economic development through health system improvement in Africa.
• To contribute theoretical, methodological, and policy-relevant insights for African health and ICT policymakers.

Proposed method

• Employed Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to measure the relative efficiency of ICT and health system performance across 27 African countries.
• Used Cluster Analysis to group countries based on their efficiency scores, identifying distinct performance profiles.
• Applied Partial Least Squares (PLS) structural equation modeling to analyze the causal impact of ICT inputs on health outcomes.
• Utilized a mixed-methods framework integrating quantitative data from multiple sources to ensure robustness and validity.
• Standardized and normalized input and output variables for ICT and health system indicators to enable cross-country comparison.
• Validated results through sensitivity analysis and consistency checks across the three analytical techniques.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 To what extent does ICT investment correlate with improved health system performance in African countries?
• RQ2 Can African countries be grouped into distinct clusters based on their efficiency in ICT and health system performance?
• RQ3 What is the causal impact of ICT on key health outcomes such as life expectancy at birth and infant mortality rate?
• RQ4 How does ICT efficiency in one domain (e.g., infrastructure) influence performance in another (e.g., healthcare delivery)?
• RQ5 What policy implications emerge from the relationship between ICT and health system efficiency in Africa?

Key findings

• The 27 African countries were grouped into three distinct clusters based on their relative efficiency in ICT and health system performance.
• Countries that performed efficiently in ICT inputs also demonstrated high efficiency in health system performance, indicating a strong correlation.
• ICT investment significantly improved life expectancy at birth across the studied African countries.
• ICT implementation was associated with a measurable reduction in infant mortality rates.
• The multi-method approach confirmed robust and consistent findings across DEA, cluster analysis, and PLS models.
• The study provides empirical evidence that strategic ICT investment can drive socio-economic development through improved health outcomes in Africa.