Uptake, Engagement and Acceptance, Barriers and Facilitators of a Text Messaging Intervention for Postnatal Care of Mother and Child in India—A Mixed Methods Feasibility Study

Swetha Sampathkumar, Meenakshi Sankar, Sankar Ramasamy, Nivedita Sriram, Ponnusamy Saravanan and Uma Ram
Additional contact information
Swetha Sampathkumar: Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, Gibbet Hill, University of Warwick, Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
Meenakshi Sankar: Buddhi Consulting Ltd., Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand
Sankar Ramasamy: Education Review Office, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Nivedita Sriram: UT South Western Medical School, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
Ponnusamy Saravanan: Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, Gibbet Hill, University of Warwick, Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
Uma Ram: Seethapathy Clinic and Hospital, Chennai 600014, India

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 15, 1-12

Abstract: This study aimed to test the feasibility and to identify barriers and facilitators towards adherence of a text messaging intervention for postnatal care in India. Mixed methods research involving both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. A survey questionnaire for feasibility and focus group interviews to identify the barriers and facilitators to the intervention were conducted. The top three reasons for activation of service were: helped the new mother to understand the changes (95%); provided continuation of care (90%) and clarified conflicting information (89%). Over 90% read the messages daily. 80% were happy with the message frequency. About 75% shared the content with others. The main reasons for non-activation were: 30% had technical issues, 15% did not think it would be useful, 17% did not have time to activate and for 5%, husbands made the decision. These findings were triangulated through the qualitative focus groups. The main themes identified via the focus groups were: (1) reliable, current information; (2) issues and themes well aligned with new mothers’ needs and priorities; (3) expanded the repertoire of information sources available; and (4) high-quality accessible information. The satisfaction and trust rates were high. This technology may be useful for health information intervention in specific postnatal areas.

Keywords: maternal health; mHealth; SMS intervention; text messaging intervention; postnatal care (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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