Peer-reviewed article
Mobile Health Solutions for Childhood Stunting: An Integrative Review of Prevention, Monitoring, and Reduction Applications – Review
Akhmadi Akhmadi, Ayu Anita, Muhamad Abi Zakaria ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5-5This integrative review looks at how mobile health (mHealth) tools have been used to prevent, monitor and reduce stunting in children. The authors searched six databases for studies from 2015 to 2025 and screened 5,797 articles. Seven studies were analysed in depth. The review reports that mHealth tools can help prevent stunting, especially where resources are limited, and also discusses the challenges of using them with vulnerable groups. It calls for mHealth to be built into community-level maternal and child health programmes, with supportive policies and more research.
Key points
- Seven studies were selected from an initial pool of 5,797 articles.
- Five themes emerged: knowledge, attitudes and practices; growth monitoring and early detection; community support and health cadres; overall effectiveness of mHealth; and implementation challenges in vulnerable populations.
- Apps such as SCATION and Nutritional Rangers were reported to improve knowledge, attitudes and practices and children's nutritional outcomes.
- The review reports substantial potential for mHealth in preventing stunting, particularly in resource-constrained settings.
- The authors conclude that mHealth should be integrated into community-level maternal and child health programmes, backed by supportive policy and further research.
Limitations
Only seven English-language, freely accessible studies were included, and the abstract does not name the countries or give the designs, sample sizes or effect sizes of those studies. As a review of other studies, it cannot show how well any single app works on its own.
Abstract
Background: This study seeks to provide a comprehensive review of existing literature on the application of mobile health (mHealth) technologies in efforts to prevent, monitor, and reduce the prevalence of childhood stunting. Additionally, it aims to explore the key challenges associated with implementing these digital health interventions. Methods: The literature review was carried out by systematically searching six major databases—PubMed, ScienceDirect, Wiley, SAGE, ProQuest, and Google Scholar—for relevant articles published between February 2015 and February 2025. The inclusion criteria encompassed original, English-language studies that employed either quantitative or qualitative methodologies, focusing on digital applications for the prevention, monitoring, or management of childhood stunting. Only freely accessible full-text articles were considered. Studies that relied solely on traditional, non-digital approaches were excluded. The article selection process adhered to the PRISMA flow diagram, and the methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool. From an initial pool of 5,797 articles, a structured screening process was conducted using the Rayyan AI platform, culminating in the selection of seven studies for in-depth analysis. Results: Thematic analysis identified five central themes: (1) improvements in knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP); (2) enhanced growth monitoring and early detection of stunting; (3) the vital role of community support and health cadres; (4) the overall effectiveness of mHealth interventions; and (5) implementation challenges within vulnerable populations. The findings highlight the substantial potential of mHealth applications in preventing childhood stunting, particularly in resource-constrained settings. Notably, applications such as SCATION and Nutritional Rangers have demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing KAP and improving children’s nutritional outcomes. Conclusion: Integrating mHealth into maternal and child health programs at the community level is essential. Furthermore, supportive policy frameworks and additional research are necessary to overcome existing barriers to implementation.