Introduction

Digital health technologies have the potential to transform primary healthcare, particularly in rural and underserved settings. In Afghanistan, geographic barriers and limited infrastructure make facility-based care difficult to access, and there is growing interest in telemedicine, mobile health and electronic health records as tools to bridge these gaps.

Methods

Study design and setting

A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and April 2026 across six provinces of Afghanistan, selected to reflect variation in connectivity and service delivery.

Data collection

A structured questionnaire was administered to health workers at 120 primary healthcare facilities. The survey captured availability and use of digital tools, perceived benefits and barriers.

Statistical analysis

Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression. Odds ratios are reported with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Availability of digital tools

Digital health tools were available at 68% of facilities. Telemedicine was the most frequently used service, reported by 42% of respondents.

Perceived benefits

Health workers reported improvements in patient triage, referral coordination and access to specialist advice, particularly in facilities with reliable connectivity.

Barriers

Intermittent internet access and limited staff training were the most commonly cited barriers to adoption.

Discussion

The findings suggest that digital health technologies are feasible in rural Afghan settings and are associated with perceived improvements in service delivery. However, sustained investment in connectivity and workforce capacity is required to realise their full potential.

Conclusion

Digital health technologies can strengthen primary healthcare in rural Afghanistan, but gaps in connectivity and training must be addressed for equitable implementation.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.