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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Frontiers in Digital Health

Perceived knowledge, attitudes, and barriers toward telemedicine adoption Among adults in Mogadishu, Somalia: a cross-sectional study

  • Mohamed Sharif Abdi1,2,3
  • Sayidcali Warsame Alinuur4
  • Hodan Abdullahi Hassan4
  • Maslah Kamal Mohamed4
  • Yusuf Hared Abdi1
  • Naciimo Cabdishakuur Cisman4
  • Zeinab Mohamed Ahmed4
  • Yakub Burhan Abdullahi1
  • Sharmake Gaiye Bashir1,3
  • Naima Ibrahim Ahmed1,3
  • Gallad D. Hassan5
5 affiliations
  1. 1Center for Health Research and Innovation, Somali National University, Mogadishu, Somalia
  2. 2Faculty of Health Science, Salaam University, Mogadishu, Somalia
  3. 3Faculty of Health Sciences and Tropical Medicine, Somali National University, Mogadishu, Somalia
  4. 4Faculty of Medicine, Somali National University, Mogadishu, Somalia
  5. 5Department of Public Health, Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Somali National University, Mogadishu, Somalia
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Abstract

Background: Telemedicine has emerged as an important strategy for improving access to healthcare, particularly in fragile health systems facing shortages of specialists and significant geographic barriers. Despite its potential, evidence on community readiness for telemedicine adoption in Somalia remains limited.

Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted between February and April 2026 among 425 adults in Mogadishu. Participants were recruited using convenience and snowball sampling through social media platforms. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing telemedicine knowledge, attitudes, and perceived barriers. Descriptive statistics summarized participant responses, while multivariable linear regression identified independent predictors of knowledge and attitude scores.

Results: The mean knowledge score indicated limited-to-moderate knowledge across the five-item measure. Although 60.9% had previously heard of telemedicine, fewer than half had observed (44.0%) or used (44.7%) telemedicine services. Attitudes toward telemedicine were generally favorable, with mean item scores ranging from 3.21 to 3.42 on a five-point scale. The most frequently perceived barriers were preference for face-to-face consultations, technological limitations, and patient resistance. Higher knowledge scores were independently associated with age, income, chronic illness, transportation-cost barriers, and social media use, whereas positive attitudes were independently associated with marital status, educational attainment, and smartphone ownership.

Conclusions: Adults in Mogadishu demonstrate moderate knowledge and generally positive attitudes toward telemedicine despite persistent technological and behavioral barriers. Expanding digital literacy, strengthening digital infrastructure, and establishing supportive regulatory and implementation frameworks will be essential to facilitate equitable and sustainable telemedicine integration into Somalia's health system.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{abdi2026perceived,
  title = {{Perceived knowledge, attitudes, and barriers toward telemedicine adoption Among adults in Mogadishu, Somalia: a cross-sectional study}},
  author = {Mohamed Sharif Abdi and Sayidcali Warsame Alinuur and Hodan Abdullahi Hassan and Maslah Kamal Mohamed and Yusuf Hared Abdi and Naciimo Cabdishakuur Cisman and Zeinab Mohamed Ahmed and Yakub Burhan Abdullahi and Sharmake Gaiye Bashir and Naima Ibrahim Ahmed and Gallad D. Hassan},
  journal = {Frontiers in Digital Health},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3389/fdgth.2026.1963595},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2026.1963595},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Perceived knowledge, attitudes, and barriers toward telemedicine adoption Among adults in Mogadishu, Somalia: a cross-sectional study
AU  - Mohamed Sharif Abdi
AU  - Sayidcali Warsame Alinuur
AU  - Hodan Abdullahi Hassan
AU  - Maslah Kamal Mohamed
AU  - Yusuf Hared Abdi
AU  - Naciimo Cabdishakuur Cisman
AU  - Zeinab Mohamed Ahmed
AU  - Yakub Burhan Abdullahi
AU  - Sharmake Gaiye Bashir
AU  - Naima Ibrahim Ahmed
AU  - Gallad D. Hassan
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/12
JO  - Frontiers in Digital Health
DO  - 10.3389/fdgth.2026.1963595
UR  - https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2026.1963595
AB  - Background: Telemedicine has emerged as an important strategy for improving access to healthcare, particularly in fragile health systems facing shortages of specialists and significant geographic barriers. Despite its potential, evidence on community readiness for telemedicine adoption in Somalia remains limited.  Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted between February and April 2026 among 425 adults in Mogadishu. Participants were recruited using convenience and snowball sampling through social media platforms. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire assessing telemedicine knowledge, attitudes, and perceived barriers. Descriptive statistics summarized participant responses, while multivariable linear regression identified independent predictors of knowledge and attitude scores.  Results: The mean knowledge score indicated limited-to-moderate knowledge across the five-item measure. Although 60.9% had previously heard of telemedicine, fewer than half had observed (44.0%) or used (44.7%) telemedicine services. Attitudes toward telemedicine were generally favorable, with mean item scores ranging from 3.21 to 3.42 on a five-point scale. The most frequently perceived barriers were preference for face-to-face consultations, technological limitations, and patient resistance. Higher knowledge scores were independently associated with age, income, chronic illness, transportation-cost barriers, and social media use, whereas positive attitudes were independently associated with marital status, educational attainment, and smartphone ownership.  Conclusions: Adults in Mogadishu demonstrate moderate knowledge and generally positive attitudes toward telemedicine despite persistent technological and behavioral barriers. Expanding digital literacy, strengthening digital infrastructure, and establishing supportive regulatory and implementation frameworks will be essential to facilitate equitable and sustainable telemedicine integration into Somalia's health system.
SN  - 2673-253X
ER  -