Reflections on Digital Maternal and Child Health Support for Mothers and Community Health Workers in Rural Areas of Limpopo Province, South Africa.
Reflections on Digital Maternal and Child Health Support for Mothers and Community Health Workers in Rural Areas of Limpopo Province, South Africa.
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DOI：
10.3390/ijerph20031842
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发表时间：
2023-01-19
影响因子：
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通讯作者：
Mackintosh, Nicola
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Muthelo, Livhuwani;Mbombi, Masenyani Oupa;Bopape, Mamare Adelaide;Mothiba, Tebogo M;Densmore, Melissa;van Heerden, Alastair;Norris, Shane A;Dias, Nervo Verdezoto;Griffiths, Paula;Mackintosh, Nicola
简介：利用MomConnect和WhatsApp等移动的和数字技术提供的数字健康支持为改善中低收入国家的孕产妇和儿童保健提供了机会。然而，在农村地区，对卫生服务提供者、孕妇和母亲作为数字卫生支持接受者的观点研究不足。材料和方法：采用探索性-描述性定性研究方法，反思母亲、社区领导人和社区卫生工作者在农村地区妇幼保健背景下关于移动的保健机会的经验。采用立意抽样的方法，选取18名参与者，分别参加两个焦点小组和个人半结构式访谈，收集有关数字化妇幼健康支持的数据。数据分析的主题开放编码方法有助于作者理解母亲、社区领袖和医护人员对数字健康支持的特定思考。结果：参与者评论了现有的不同数字支持应用程序及其对孕产妇和儿童健康的重要性。例如，MoMConnect、Pregnancy+、WhatsApp和非数字资源被视为有助于改善孕产妇和儿童健康的有用沟通方式。然而，与会者报告了与使用数字平台有关的几个挑战，这些挑战影响了对孕妇和母亲健康指导的遵守。结论：与会者表达了数字支持应用程序在孕产妇和儿童健康方面的重要作用，这受到各种挑战的影响。解决数字资源缺乏的问题可以改善孕妇和母亲获得健康指导的机会。
Introduction: Digital health support using mobile and digital technologies, such as MomConnect and WhatsApp, is providing opportunities to improve maternal and child healthcare in low- and middle-income countries. Yet, the perspective of health service providers, pregnant women, and mothers as recipients of digital health support is under-researched in rural areas. Material and Methods: An exploratory-descriptive qualitative research approach was adopted to reflect on the experiences of mothers, community leaders, and community health workers on mobile health opportunities in the context of maternal and child health in rural areas. Purposive sampling was used to select 18 participants who participated in the two focus groups and individual semi-structured interviews for data collection about digital maternal and child health support. The thematic open coding method of data analysis assisted authors in making sense of the given reflections of mothers, community leaders, and healthcare workers about digital health support. Results: Participants commented on different existing digital support apps and their importance for maternal and child health. For example, MoMConnect, Pregnancy+, WhatsApp, and non-digital resources were perceived as useful ways of communication that assist in improving maternal and child health. However, participants reported several challenges related to the use of digital platforms, which affect following the health instructions given to pregnant women and mothers. Conclusions: Participants expressed the significant role of digital support apps in maternal and child health, which is impacted by various challenges. Addressing the lack of digital resources could improve access to health instructions for pregnant women and mothers.