Mobile Phone Use among Mothers Seeking Postnatal Services in Kakamega County, Kenya
Loading...
Date
2022
Authors
Ngigi, Charles Kiragu
Osero, Justus OS
Wanyoro, Anthony K
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AJM
Abstract
Background/Aims Mobile phone use is increasing globally, with Kenya having increased use in rural and urban areas. Despite the widespread use of mobile phones, their use in health delivery services, such as to enhance postnatal care attendance, is low. Kenya is exploring interventions such as the use of mobile health to improve uptake. This study aimed to determine mobile phone use among postnatal mothers in Kakamega County, Kenya.Methods This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using quantitative data. It was carried out among 240 postnatal mothers in Kakamega County. Systematic sampling was used to recruit the participants from three hospitals and data were collected using questionnaires. Data were analysed using the Chi squared test to determine associations between sociodemographic characteristics and perceptions of mobile phone use to improve postnatal care attendance.Results The majority of participants (87.0%) owned a mobile phone. Over half (53.0%) used their mobile phone many times a day, with 61.0% sending SMS many times a day and 65.0% making voice calls many times a day. Almost all participants (93.0%) said they would recommend the use of an SMS or voice call service for postnatal care attendance to their friends. Frequency of mobile phone use (P=0.000), SMS use (P=0.042) and voice call use (P=0.007) were all significantly associated with perception of mobile phone use to improve postnatal care attendance, as was antenatal care visits (P=0.005).Conclusions The majority of participants owned mobile phones and felt positive about mobile phone use to improve postnatal care. The county government of Kakamega should integrate mobile phone technology with the delivery of postnatal services to improve attendance
Description
Article
Keywords
Maternal health, Mobile phone technology, Postnatal care, Postnatal mothers
Citation
Ngigi CK, Osero JOS. Mobile phone use among mothers seeking postnatal services in Kakamega County, Kenya. African Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health. 2022. https://doi.org/10.12968/ajmw.2020.0051Mobile phone use among mothers seeking postnatal services in Kakamega County, KenyaCharles Kiragu Ngigi1Justus OS Osero2Anthony K Wanyoro2Author details can be found at the end of this articleCorrespondence to:Charles Kiragu Ngigi; gurakicha@gmail.comAbstractBackground/Aims Mobile phone use is increasing globally, with Kenya having increased use in rural and urban areas. Despite the widespread use of mobile phones, their use in health delivery services, such as to enhance postnatal care attendance, is low. Kenya is exploring interventions such as the use of mobile health to improve uptake. This study aimed to determine mobile phone use among postnatal mothers in Kakamega County, Kenya.Methods This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using quantitative data. It was carried out among 240 postnatal mothers in Kakamega County. Systematic sampling was used to recruit the participants from three hospitals and data were collected using questionnaires. Data were analysed using the Chi squared test to determine associations between sociodemographic characteristics and perceptions of mobile phone use to improve postnatal care attendance.Results The majority of participants (87.0%) owned a mobile phone. Over half (53.0%) used their mobile phone many times a day, with 61.0% sending SMS many times a day and 65.0% making voice calls many times a day. Almost all participants (93.0%) said they would recommend the use of an SMS or voice call service for postnatal care attendance to their friends. Frequency of mobile phone use (P=0.000), SMS use (P=0.042) and voice call use (P=0.007) were all significantly associated with perception of mobile phone use to improve postnatal care attendance, as was antenatal care visits (P=0.005).Conclusions The majority of participants owned mobile phones and felt positive about mobile phone use to improve postnatal care. The county government of Kakamega should integrate mobile phone technology with the delivery of postnatal services to improve attendance.Key words: Maternal health; Mobile phone technology; Postnatal care; Postnatal mothersSubmitted: 24 September 2020; accepted following double blind peer review: 1 December 2020