Key indicators influencing digital health (DH) adoption in Yemen [3239]

Data categoriesValue (percentage or number)DescriptionsIndication
Data on DH technologies (DHTs) adoption in Yemen
Percentage of healthcare facilities with access to electronic medical records (EMR)55% fully operationalPercentage of functional health facilities in YemenYemen faces significant challenges due to ongoing conflict that affects health infrastructure. However, adopting health information technology, including EMRs, has improved access to care, especially for underserved communities
31% functioning partially
13% non-operational
Specific data on EMR adoption rates in Yemen is scarce
Utilization rates of telemedicine/telehealth services22%The national telehealth utilization rate among adults by mid-2021 was down from the early pandemic peak but still above pre-pandemic levelsThe adoption of telemedicine in Yemen is promising, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clinicians have increasingly used telehealth modalities, including video-based and audio-only services
Use of mHealth apps and other DH tools by healthcare providers66%TelehealthAs in other regions, mHealth apps play a crucial role in Yemen. While specific data is limited, adopting DH tools has expanded access to healthcare. Clinicians have used such tools
66%Electronic health records (EHRs)
49%Patient portals
41%Health information exchange
39%Prescription drug monitoring programs
27%Remote/home monitoring
22%Wearable devices
Barriers to DHTs adoption (lack of training, funding, regulations, etc.)53%Time constraintsChallenges of using DHTs include: Incomplete and difficult-to-use health information exchange interfaces for providers. Internet/broadband access and poor connectivity are another challenge for patients
51%Cost considerations
Data and healthcare system indicators
Number of functioning healthcare facilities45%Percentage of healthcare facilities in Yemen that are functioning and accessible to the publicThe shortage of functioning healthcare facilities demonstrates the importance and the urgent need for DH implementation, which promotes healthcare intervention and universal health coverage nationwide
247Number of healthcare facilities have been destroyed or damaged due to the ongoing conflict
Distribution of healthcare facilities (urban vs. rural)80%Percentage of the population in urban areas who have access to healthcare servicesThe disparities that exist within the distribution of healthcare facilities between rural and urban areas demonstrate the importance and urgent need for DH implementation in the country
25%Percentage of the population in rural areas who have access to healthcare services
Healthcare worker density and training levels10 healthcare workers per 10,000 peopleThe average of healthcare workersThe density of healthcare workers is very low. Yemen falls well below the international standard of 41 per 10,000
In contrast, the surveyed percentage of those who reported an acute shortage of qualified nurses indicates that the training level for healthcare workers is weak. Several training institutions to prepare certified professionals have been closed, and the available training programs failed to offer the kind of practical and task-oriented instruction required in real-life healthcare settings. Consequently, healthcare centers have under-trained staff, capable of providing the most basic services only
More than 90% of the health centersThe percentage of the health centers that reported an acute shortage of qualified nurses
Disease burden and mortality rates62.7 years to 65.8 yearsThere was an increase in life expectancy at birth in Yemen between 2000 and 2021However, the country still faces health challenges, including high levels of child malnutrition, low immunization rates, and outbreaks of infectious diseases
1,471.7 deaths to 1,069.4 deaths per 100,000 populationThe decrease of all-causes age-standardized mortality rate between 1990 and 2019
Data on socioeconomic and demographic factors
Poverty and income levels55%The percentage of the population estimated by the United Nations Development Program who lives below the poverty linePoverty rates are higher among rural residents than urban residents and among women than men
18.4%The percentage of the population estimated by the United Nations Development Program who lives in extreme poverty
Education attainmentOver 56% of womenPercentage of those having no formal schoolingEducational attainment among women in Yemen is currently very low
In contrast, Yemen ranks 155 out of 156 in the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index regarding gender disparities. Women remain significantly underrepresented in public and elected office, holding only 4.1% of managerial and decision-making positions
Nearly 18% of men
Only 14% of womenPercentage of those having at least a secondary-level education
40% of men