Improving access to health of rural women through mHealth
Research Topic: Improving access to health of rural women through mHealth(mobile health): Case study of 3 counties- Nimba, Maryland and Montserrado counties
1. Statement of the Problem
The use of mobile devices for improved information management and communication in healthcare and public health (mHealth) in developing countries is expanding quickly, including in the field of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH). However, many mHealth projects are still in an experimental phase and systematic evaluation has only recently started. There is still very limited evidence on the possibilities of effectively using mobile phones among beneficiaries, in particularly women, in rural contexts. Moreover, it is not clear under which conditions and how mHealth can make a difference compared to other “traditional” communication and information strategies.
2. Purpose of the Study
The aim of this research project is to assess the effectiveness of the use of mobile technology to 1) improve access to sexual and reproductive health services, particularly of rural women and to 2) obtain insights in facilitating and constraining factors (including technological, social, economic, cultural and ethical factors) for the successful implementation of these applications.
3. Definition of Terms
1. mHealth (also written as m-health) is an abbreviation for mobile health, a term used for the practice of medicine and public health supported by mobile devices. The term is most commonly used in reference to using mobile communication devices, such as mobile phones, tablet computers and PDAs, for health services and information, but also to affect emotional states.
2. Reproductive Health or sexual health/hygiene, addresses the reproductive processes, functions and system at all stages of life.[1] Reproductive health implies that people are able to have a responsible, satisfying and safer sex life and that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and how
1. Statement of the Problem
The use of mobile devices for improved information management and communication in healthcare and public health (mHealth) in developing countries is expanding quickly, including in the field of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH). However, many mHealth projects are still in an experimental phase and systematic evaluation has only recently started. There is still very limited evidence on the possibilities of effectively using mobile phones among beneficiaries, in particularly women, in rural contexts. Moreover, it is not clear under which conditions and how mHealth can make a difference compared to other “traditional” communication and information strategies.
2. Purpose of the Study
The aim of this research project is to assess the effectiveness of the use of mobile technology to 1) improve access to sexual and reproductive health services, particularly of rural women and to 2) obtain insights in facilitating and constraining factors (including technological, social, economic, cultural and ethical factors) for the successful implementation of these applications.
3. Definition of Terms
1. mHealth (also written as m-health) is an abbreviation for mobile health, a term used for the practice of medicine and public health supported by mobile devices. The term is most commonly used in reference to using mobile communication devices, such as mobile phones, tablet computers and PDAs, for health services and information, but also to affect emotional states.
2. Reproductive Health or sexual health/hygiene, addresses the reproductive processes, functions and system at all stages of life.[1] Reproductive health implies that people are able to have a responsible, satisfying and safer sex life and that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and how
References: 1. Knowledge for Health (K4Health) Project, Center for Communication Programs, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Focus on mHealth: WHO mHealth Technical Advisory Group for evidence in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health. K4Health Newsletter Special Supplement. 2013;1(2), . Available from: http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?u = 4c824d609a93e07ec89e2df8e&id = 30fb2430ad&e = cbd4082a38#mctoc1 2. ezcan B, Von Rege I, Henkson H, Oteng-Ntim E. Unified communication to reach vulnerable mothers. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.2011;31(2):122–124. doi: 10.31.09/01443615.2010.542515. [PubMed] 3. Tomlinson M, Solomon W, Singh Y, Doherty T, Chopra M, Jackson D. The use of mobile phones as a data collection tool: A report from a household survey in South Africa. BMC Biomedical Informatics and DecisionMaking. 2009;9:51–58. doi:10.1186/1472-6947-9-51. [PMC free article] [PubMed] 4. Vidrine DJ, Arduino RC, Lazev AB, Gritz ER. A randomized trial of a proactive cellular telephone intervention for smokers living with HIV/AIDS. Aids.2006;20(2):253–260. doi: 10.1097/01.aids.0000198094.23691.58. [PubMed] 5. Villagran M. Methodological diversity to reach patients along the margins, in the shadows, and on the cutting edge. Patient Education and Counseling.2011;82(3):292–297. doi:10.1016/j.pec.2010.12.020. [PubMed] 6. Vital Wave Consulting . mHealth for development: The opportunity of mobile technology for healthcare in the developing world. Vodafone and the United Nations Foundation; 2009. Retrieved from http://www.mobileactive.org/files/file_uploads/mHealth_for_Development_full.pdf. 7. Vodafone Africa: The impact of mobile phones. Vodafone Paper Policy Series.2005;(2) Retrieved from http://www.sarpn.org/documents/d0001181/P1309-Vodafone_March2005.pdf. 8. Walton G, Childs S, Blenkinsopp E. Using mobile technologies to give health students access to learning resources in the UK community setting. Health Information and Libraries Journal. 2005;22(2 Suppl.):51–65. [PubMed] 9. World Health Organization . mHealth new horizons for health through mobile technologies. Global observatory for eHealth series. Vol. 3. WHO Press; Geneva, Switzerland: 2011. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/goe/publications/goe_mhealth_web.pdf.