Perspectives of Pregnant Women Regarding the Use of Mobile Phones for Antenatal Health Education: A Qualitative Study in Rural Southwestern Kenya

Zillah Malachi; Lucy Kivuti-Bitok; Joyce Jebet Cheptum

doi:10.25159/2520-5293/16113

Authors

Zillah Moraa Malachi Kisii University
Lucy Kivuti-Bitok University of Nairobi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0958-1580
Joyce Jebet Cheptum University of Nairobi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2520-5293/16113

Keywords:

antenatal education, Antenatal care, mobile phone, mobile phone communication mode

Abstract

Introduction: Pregnant women face a myriad of challenges ranging from anxiety, myths and misconceptions concerning pregnancy, diet, and general antenatal care because of inadequate health education during the antenatal period. There are extensive studies on mobile phone use in primary care; however, only a few qualitative studies have been conducted to establish the usefulness of these devices in antenatal education. Therefore, this study aimed to explore pregnant women’s views on mobile phone use in antenatal education.

Methods: This study utilised a qualitative study design. It was conducted in rural health facilities in southwestern Kenya. Focus group discussions were used to collect data which were analysed thematically using ATLAS.ti version 23.

Results: The overall theme that emerged from the study was “antenatal education is beneficial, and if provided via a preferred mode of mobile phone communication, can bridge the gap in antenatal education content.” The participants perceived antenatal education through mobile phones as beneficial and complementary to the information received during routine antenatal care. Most of the participants felt that antenatal education should be given through a preferred mode of mobile phone communication.

Conclusion: Mobile phones have the potential to improve the quality of antenatal education provided during pregnancy.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Ahmed, Abdeta Muktar, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nuh, and Hamse Khalif Hassan. 2023. “Knowledge of Obstetric Danger Signs and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Hargeisa Town Health Institutions, Somaliland: A Cross Sectional Study.” Preprint, posted 24 January 2023. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2293168/v1

Atukunda, Esther C., Lynn T. Matthews, Angella Musiimenta, Godfrey Rwambuka Mugyenyi, Samuel Mugisha, Norma C. Ware, Celestino Obua, and Mark J. Siedner. 2021. “Mhealth-Based Health Promotion Intervention to Improve Use of Maternity Care Services among Women in Rural Southwestern Uganda: Iterative Development Study.” JMIR Formative Research 5 (11): 1–14. https://doi.org/10.2196/29214

Atukunda, Esther C., Mark J. Siedner, Celestino Obua, Angella Musiimenta, Norma C. Ware, Samuel Mugisha, Josephine N. Najjuma, Godfrey R. Mugyenyi, and Lynn T. Matthews. 2023. “Evaluating the Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Efficacy of SupportMoms-Uganda, an MHealth-Based Patient-Centered Social Support Intervention to Improve the Use of Maternity Services Among Pregnant Women in Rural Southwestern Uganda: Randomized.” JMIR Formative Research 7 (March): e36619. https://doi.org/10.2196/36619

Coleman, Jesse, Vivian Black, Anna Ekéus Thorson, and Jaran Eriksen. 2020a. “Evaluating the Effect of Maternal MHealth Text Messages on Uptake of Maternal and Child Health Care Services in South Africa: A Multicentre Cohort Intervention Study.” Reproductive Health 17 (1): 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-020-01017-3

Coleman, Jesse, Jaran Eriksen, Vivian Black, Anna Thorson, and Abigail Hatcher. 2020b. “The Mobile Alliance for Maternal Action Text Message-Based MHealth Intervention for Maternal Care in South Africa: Qualitative User Study.” JMIR Human Factors 7 (2): e14078. https://doi.org/10.2196/14078

Forero, Roberto, Shizar Nahidi, Josephine De Costa, Mohammed Mohsin, Gerry Fitzgerald, Nick Gibson, Sally McCarthy, and Patrick Aboagye-Sarfo. 2018. “Application of Four-Dimension Criteria to Assess Rigour of Qualitative Research in Emergency Medicine.” BMC Health Services Research 18 (1): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-2915-2

Gitonga, Eliphas, Jackim Nyamari, Peterson Warutere, and Anthony Wanyoro. 2021. “Influence of Short Message Service Reminders on Utilisation of Focused Antenatal Care among Women in Rural Kenya: A Randomised Controlled Trial.” African Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health 15 (2): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.12968/ajmw.2020.0014

Hong, Kwan, Hari Hwang, Helin Han, Jaeeun Chae, Jimi Choi, Yujin Jeong, Juneyoung Lee, and Kyung Ju Lee. 2021. “Perspectives on Antenatal Education Associated with Pregnancy Outcomes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Women and Birth 34 (3): 219–230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2020.04.002

Hussain, Tasmeen, Patricia Smith, and Lynn M. Yee. 2020. “Mobile Phone-Based Behavioral Interventions in Pregnancy to Promote Maternal and Fetal Health in High-Income Countries: Systematic Review.” JMIR MHealth and UHealth 8 (5): e15111. https://doi.org/10.2196/15111

Kazi, Abdul Momin, Jason Louis Carmichael, Galgallo Waqo Hapanna, Patrick Gikaria Wangoo, Sarah Karanja, Denis Wanyama, Samuel Opondo Muhula et al. 2017. “Assessing Mobile Phone Access and Perceptions for Texting-Based Mhealth Interventions among Expectant Mothers and Child Caregivers in Remote Regions of Northern Kenya: A Survey-Based Descriptive Study.” JMIR Public Health and Surveillance 3 (1): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.2196/publichealth.5386

Kpienbaareh, Daniel, Raymond Elikplim Kofinti, Irenius Konkor, Daniel Amoak, Moses Mosonsieyiri Kansanga, and Isaac Luginaah. 2022. “Knowledge of Pregnancy Complications and Utilization of Antenatal Care Services in Rwanda.” The International Journal of Health Planning and Management 37 (3): 1680–1693. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpm.3434

Kyngäs, Helvi, Maria Kääriäinen, and Satu Elo. 2020. “The Trustworthiness of Content Analysis.” In The Application of Content Analysis in Nursing Science Research, edited by H. Kyngäs, K. Mikkonen, and M. Kääriäinen, 41–48. Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-30199-6_5

Lebrun, Victoria, Lisa Dulli, Sayed Omar Alami, Arzoo Sidiqi, Ahmad Shah Sultani, Sayed Haroon Rastagar, Iftikhar Halimzai, Sharif Ahmadzai, and Catherine S Todd. 2020. “Feasibility and Acceptability of an Adapted Mobile Phone Message Program and Changes in Maternal and Newborn Health Knowledge in Four Provinces of Afghanistan: Single-Group Pre-Post Assessment Study.” JMIR MHealth and UHealth 8 (7): e17535. https://doi.org/10.2196/17535

Lincoln, Yvonna S., and Egon G. Guba. 1985. Naturalistic Inquiry. Newbury Park: Sage. https://doi.org/10.1016/0147-1767(85)90062-8

McCauley, H., K. Lowe, N. Furtado, V. Mangiaterra, and N. van den Broek. 2022. “What Are the Essential Components of Antenatal Care? A Systematic Review of the Literature and Development of Signal Functions to Guide Monitoring and Evaluation.” BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology 129 (6): 855–867. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.17029

Mezmir, Esubalew Aman. 2020. “Qualitative Data Analysis: An Overview of Data Reduction, Data Display and Interpretation.” Research on Humanities and Social Sciences 10 (21): 15–27. https://doi.org/10.7176/rhss/10-21-02

Muvengei, Daniel Mwendwa, Simon Muturi Karanja, and Peter Wanzala. 2021. “A Targeted Mobile Phone Intervention Use in Antenatal Care is Associated with Improved Antenatal and Postnatal Clinic Attendance amongst Pregnant Women in a Pastoralist Community in Narok County, Kenya: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” African Journal of Health Sciences 34 (6).

Okal, Jerry Okoth, Avina Sarna, Daniel Lango, James Matheka, Danmark Owuor, Eunice Auma Kinywa, and Sam Kalibala. 2022. “Client Experiences in a Mobile-Phone Counseling Intervention for Enhancing Access to Prevention of Mother To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) Services in Kenya.” Frontiers in Global Women’s Health 3 (June). https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2022.785194

Olajubu, Aanuoluwapo Omobolanle, Boluwaji Reuben Fajemilehin, and Temitope Oluwafemi Olajubu. 2022. “Mothers’ Experiences with MHealth Intervention for Postnatal Care Utilisation in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study.” BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 22 (1): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-05177-x

Rahman, Md Obaidur, Noyuri Yamaji, Yasuko Nagamatsu, and Erika Ota. 2022. “Effects of MHealth Interventions on Improving Antenatal Care Visits and Skilled Delivery Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Journal of Medical Internet Research 24 (4): e34061. https://doi.org/10.2196/34061

Republic of Kenya. 2017. “Kenya Standards and Guidelines for MHealth Systems.” Ministry of Health. Accessed 4 June 2023. http://guidelines.health.go.ke:8000/media/Revised-Guidelines-For-Mhealth-Systems-May-Version.pdf

Riberu, Yoseph Rani, Andreas Umbu Roga, and Rafael Paun. 2023. “Analysis of Various Factors Associated with Antenatal Care Visits.” Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA 9 (6): 4806–4812. https://doi.org/10.29303/jppipa.v9i6.3471

Sowon, Karen, Priscilla Maliwichi, and Wallace Chigona. 2022. “The Influence of Design and Implementation Characteristics on the Use of Maternal Mobile Health Interventions in Kenya: Systematic Literature Review.” JMIR MHealth and UHealth 10 (1): e22093. https://doi.org/10.2196/22093

Watterson, Jessica L., Diego Castaneda, and Caricia Catalani. 2020. “Promoting Antenatal Care Attendance Through a Text Messaging Intervention in Samoa: Quasi-Experimental Study.” JMIR MHealth and UHealth 8 (6): e15890. https://doi.org/10.2196/15890

World Health Organization. 2016. WHO Recommendation on Antenatal Care for Positive Pregnancy Experience. Geneva: World Health Organization.

Yamin, Fazal, Jaranit Kaewkungwal, Pratap Singhasivanon, and Saranath Lawpoolsri. 2018. “Women’s Perceptions of Using Mobile Phones for Maternal and Child Health Support in Afghanistan: Cross-Sectional Survey.” JMIR MHealth and UHealth 6 (4): e76. https://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.9504

Yee, Lynn, Shaneah Taylor, Maria Young, Makayla Williams, Charlotte Niznik, and Melissa Simon. 2020. “Evaluation of a Text Messaging Intervention to Support Self-Management of Diabetes During Pregnancy Among Low-Income, Minority Women: Qualitative Study.” JMIR Diabetes 5 (3): e17794. https://doi.org/10.2196/17794