Use of a mHealth System to Improve Antenatal Care in Low and Lower-Middle Income Countries: Report on Patients and Healthcare Workers’ Acceptability in Tanzania

Stefania Paduano (), Federica Incerti, Lucia Borsari, Anne Caroline Benski, Alex Ernest, Ipyana Mwampagatwa, Athanase Lilungulu, Theresia Masoi, Annalisa Bargellini, Federica Stornelli, Giovanna Stancanelli, Paola Borella and Maria Angelica Rweyemamu
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Stefania Paduano: Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Section of Public Health, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
Federica Incerti: Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Section of Public Health, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
Lucia Borsari: Department of Public Health, AUSL Modena, 41126 Modena, Italy
Anne Caroline Benski: Service d’Obstétrique-Département de la Femme, de l’Enfant et de l’Adolescent-Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève, 1205 Genève, Switzerland
Alex Ernest: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Dodoma, Dodoma 41218, Tanzania
Ipyana Mwampagatwa: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Dodoma, Dodoma 41218, Tanzania
Athanase Lilungulu: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Dodoma, Dodoma 41218, Tanzania
Theresia Masoi: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Dodoma, Dodoma 41218, Tanzania
Annalisa Bargellini: Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Section of Public Health, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
Federica Stornelli: Cooperazione Paesi Emergenti, COPE NGO, Nyololo 51410, Tanzania
Giovanna Stancanelli: Terre Innovative Healthcare S.R.L., 95126 Catania, Italy
Paola Borella: Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, Section of Public Health, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
Maria Angelica Rweyemamu: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Dodoma, Dodoma 41218, Tanzania

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 22, 1-10

Abstract: Antenatal care (ANC) is considered a cornerstone of reproductive health programmes, but many women face difficulties in accessing these services, particularly in some sub-Saharan African countries, such as Tanzania. This study aimed to test ANC visit acceptability using mHealth system PANDA (Pregnancy And Newborn Diagnostic Assessment) in the Mufindi district (Tanzania). We investigated the ANC visit acceptability of pregnant women and healthcare workers (HCWs) in an intervention area using the PANDA system compared with a control area. An ad hoc questionnaire was administered to pregnant women in an implementation area ( n = 52) and in a control area ( n = 46). In the implementation area, group interviews with 50 pregnant women were conducted and five HCWs evaluated ANC visits through a questionnaire. The implementation group was significantly more satisfied with the ANC visit compared with the control group. All the 52 women and the HCWs declared that PANDA icons were useful in understanding and remembering the provided information and the PANDA app was able to improve the ANC quality and to positively influence the relationship of HCWs and pregnant women. HCWs reported that the PANDA app was “easy-to-use” and “able to improve the adherence to ANC WHO recommendations”. In underserved areas, many pregnant women could benefit from the PANDA system increasing their access to high-quality ANC and overcoming language and/or literacy barriers.

Keywords: mobile health; antenatal care; pregnant women; health education; pregnancy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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