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. 2018 Jun 25;18(1):45.
doi: 10.1186/s12911-018-0622-x.

Design and implementation of an m-health data model for improving health information access for reproductive and child health services in low resource settings using a participatory action research approach

Joseph Thobias  1 , Achilles Kiwanuka  2
Affiliations

Design and implementation of an m-health data model for improving health information access for reproductive and child health services in low resource settings using a participatory action research approach

Joseph Thobias et al. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. .

Abstract

Background: Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have been utilised globally for advancing social and economic development. As information becomes key to enlightening development initiatives, the role of mobile technology-based ICT services is becoming more significant. The aim of this study was to design and implement a mHealth data model with an intention of improving mothers' knowledge of Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) services in rural environments and to remind mothers who do not have access to mobile phones to attend antenatal care.

Methods: The methodology adopted in this research was participatory action research. A phased approach was utilised to answer the research question. The phases were: diagnosis of the problem, action planning, action taking, evaluation and reflection. The study was conducted in Chamwino district of Dodoma region, Tanzania. Reproductive and Child Health sections of Buigiri dispensary and Chamwino health centre were purposively selected. Data were collected through key informant interviews, document review, focus group discussion and observation. Content analysis methods were utilised during analysis. Consequently, the data model was designed, implemented and evaluated.

Results: Challenges of information dissemination in low resource settings noted in this study are: mobile phone ownership and access of mothers, vertical coordination of health services and low staffing levels of health workers. Mothers who do not own mobile phones can leverage phone ownership of community leaders, TBAs, CHWs and relatives. This in turn facilitates communication of health messages to mothers.

Conclusions: Although this study was conducted in a low resource setting, mobile network coverage was good and thus SMS technology could be used. Research should be conducted on how to disseminate similar information in remote areas without mobile coverage.

Keywords: Data model; Health information access; Low resource settings; Reproductive and child health; mHealth.

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Conflict of interest statement

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Ethical approval to conduct the study was obtained from the University of Dar es Salaam. Permission to conduct the research was obtained from Chamwino District Medical Office and the facilities RCH administration. Verbal informed consent was obtained from the study participants following all regulations of informed consent and human subject protection in research. Participants were informed of their right to withdraw from the study at their own will without any repercussions. This was done because it was technically difficult since some key informants were found at meetings or places of work, while others had tight schedules. Besides, participants were contended with verbal consent and thus free to participate in the research as they regarded signed informed consent part of officialdom duties.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Data model: Description of relationships between entities and proposed relationships
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Information flow architecture: Illustration of information flow architecture used to implement the designed data model
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
SMS gateway configuration: Screenshot of the interface which was configured as the SMS gateway
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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