Publication
Title
A mobile health app may improve maternal and child health knowledge and practices among rural women with limited education in Uganda : a pilot randomized controlled trial
Author
Abstract
Objective This article describes the impact of a mobile health app (MatHealth App) on maternal and child health knowledge and practices among women with limited education. Materials and methods Pregnant women initiating antenatal care (ANC) were randomized (1:1) to the MatHealth App versus routine care. Participants were followed until 6 weeks after delivery. Questionnaires for assessing knowledge and practices were administered to participants from both arms at baseline and endline. Using logistic regression, we estimated the difference in odds of having maternal health knowledge. We reviewed clinic records to capture maternal health practices. Results Of the 80 enrolled participants, 69 (86%) completed the study with a median follow-up of 6 months. Women in the MatHealth arm had 8.2 (P = .19), 3.6 (P = .14), and 6.4 (P = .25), respectively higher odds of knowing (1) the recommended gestation period for starting ANC, (2) the recommended number of ANC visits, and (3) the timing and frequency of recommended human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, respectively, compared to those in the routine care arm. All women in the MatHealth App arm exclusively breastfed their babies, and brought them at 6 weeks for HIV testing, compared to the routine care arm. Just over half of the women attended at least 4 prenatal visits across the 2 arms. The main reason for noncompliance to ANC appointments was a lack of transport to the clinic. Discussion and conclusion The app increased knowledge and practices although not reaching statistical significance. Future efforts can focus on addressing social and economic issues and assessing clinical outcomes.
Language
English
Source (journal)
JAMIA Open / American Medical Informatics Association
Publication
Oxford University Press , 2022
ISSN
2574-2531
DOI
10.1093/JAMIAOPEN/OOAC081
Volume/pages
5 :4 (2022) , p. 1-7
Article Reference
ooac081
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Publication type
Subject
External links
Record
Identifier
Creation 21.03.2024
Last edited 25.04.2024
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