ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: A few studies have examined mothers' perception of ICT and maternal and child health (MCH) information promoted using ICT. The effectiveness of different modes of delivery of such information is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate mothers' perceived usefulness of ICT and MCH information disseminated through e-health projects in Nigeria. METHODS: The study was a descriptive survey that was based on the mixed method paradigm. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 1001 mothers involved in ongoing ICT based projects in Nigeria. The mothers were selected using a convenience sampling technique. Four focus group discussion sessions were also organised for thirty mothers. RESULTS: Mobile phones were viewed as useful (35.0%) or very useful (42.2%) and radio as useful (34.8%) or very useful (57.5%%). But they expressed a negative perception towards the use of DVD/TV (Not useful, 66.5%) and the Internet/computer (Not useful 67.7%). Mothers' perception of MCH information disseminated was also positive. They reported the need for more MCH information products in local languages using acceptable ICT. CONCLUSION: Mothers' perception of preferred modes of delivery of maternal and child health information varies according to location.
Subject(s)
Information Dissemination/methods , Maternal-Child Health Services/standards , Mothers/psychology , Perception , Adult , Cell Phone/standards , Female , Humans , Nigeria , Qualitative Research , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
To review e-health interventions for maternal and child health (MCH) and to explore their influence on MCH practices in sub-Sahara Africa (SSA). Keyword searches were used to retrieve articles from four databases and the websites of organisations involved in e-health projects for MCH in SSA. A total of 18relevant articles were retrieved using inclusion and exclusion criteria. The researchers reveal the prevalence of the application of mobile phones for MCH care and the influence of the use of information and communication technology (ICT) for delivering MCH information and services to target populations. There is a need to move the application of ICT for MCH care from pilot initiatives to interventions involving all stakeholders on a sub-regional scale. These interventions should also adopt an integrated approach that takes care of the information needs at every stage along the continuum of care. It is anticipated that the study would be useful in the evolution and implementation of future ICT-based programmes for MCH in the region.
