Influence of Communication Systems for Community-Based Referrals on Maternal Outcome in the Selected Districts of East-Central Uganda
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Date
2020
Authors
Muluya, Kharim Mwebaza
Kibaara, Kenneth Rucha
Kithuka, Peter
Mugisha, John Francis
Muwanguzi, David Gangu
Otieno, George Ochieng
Wananda, Irene
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Direct Research Journal
Abstract
Many communication interventions in East –
Central Uganda that have been aimed at increasing deliveries at
health centres have proved to be futile. The innovation,
communication and technology referred to as Closed Caller User
Group (CUG) was introduced with the intention of reducing the
communication gap between mothers and boda-boda riders for
better community referrals to health centres. The study
investigated the influence of communication systems for
community-based referrals on maternal outcome (health centre
deliveries) based on the observed increase in home-based
deliveries with the aid of relatives and Traditional Birth
Attendants (TBAs). A non randomized control trial intervention
study design was conducted in Iganga and Bugiri districts of East –
Central Uganda. The study population consisted of 375
respondents including mothers, boda-boda riders and health
workers in the intervention arm and 358 in the control arm
randomly and some purposively selected. Self-administered
structured questionnaires, in-depth and key informant interviews
and focus group discussions were used to collect both quantitative
and qualitative data. Quantitative data were analyzed using STATA
version 14. Thematic analysis was done using atlas Ti 7 software.
Results revealed that communication systems had a statistically
significant influence on deliveries at health centres (p=0.000).
This implies that the more pregnant mothers were exposed to
communication systems, the more they delivered from health
centers (OR=4.173). For communication systems, possession of
phones by mothers (OR=4.200, p=0.000) and time interval bodaboda
rider took to respond when contacted (21 – 30 min,
OR=0.124, p=0.002 and 31 – 60 min, OR= 0.003, p=0.000) had an
influence on maternal outcome (deliveries at health centres). In
conclusion, mothers and boda-boda riders, and the innovation of
closed caller user group to bridge the gap of communication, has
potentially addressed the challenges associated with community
referral needs in rural settings.
Description
article
Keywords
Communication systems, closed caller user group, maternal outcome, community-based referrals, east-central Uganda
Citation
Kithuka, P., Ochieng, O. G., Muwanguzi, D. G., Mugisha, J. F., Muluya, K. M., Wananda, I., & Kibaara, K. R. (2020). Influence of Communication Systems for Community-Based Referrals on Maternal Outcome in the Selected Districts of East-Central Uganda.