Mobile Phone Automated Messaging Service’s and the Fulfilment of Planned Clinical Appointments: Lessons from an Ebola Clinical Study in Kambia District, Sierra Leone
Grace Rukanda,
Monica Amponsah,
Evelyne Banura,
Robert Kanwagi,
Seth Gogo Egoeh,
Edward Ngoka,
Geoffrey Babughirana
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 1, March 2021
Pages:
1-10
Received:
27 January 2021
Accepted:
14 February 2021
Published:
27 February 2021
Abstract: Introduction: The Ebola vaccine Deployment, Acceptance, and Compliance (EBODAC) project was established to develop a communication and community engagement strategy, including the development of appropriate technology, to maximize Ebola vaccination impact in the targeted population both in support of clinical trials and in the broader vaccination program beyond the clinical trial. EBODAC supported the EBOVAC-Salone trial in Kambia district in Sierra Leone to ensure that the novel prime-boost vaccine regimen is well accepted and successfully used in the context of clinical trials; while also preparing to maximize the impact of the potential deployment of a future Ebola vaccination program. The Mobile Technology for Community Health (MOTECH) platform was utilized and customized to help ensure compliance with the prime-boost vaccination regimen. Its main role was to support the communications and reminders surrounding the Ebola vaccine trial through an automated message service to participants’ mobile phones as Interactive Voice Responses (IVR) and SMS (Short Message Service) messages. Methods: The study was cross-sectional and adopted qualitative and quantitative research methods. The design was constructed to provide a representation of different user segments. The sample size was not constructed to provide statistical differences or detect differences in impact among groups but was simply designed to provide insights into how study participants interacted with the technology. Eligibility criteria involved randomly selecting participants from those that: a) received IVR and SMS and didn’t miss an appointment (booster compliant), b) received IVR and SMS and missed an appointment (booster non-compliant), c) received no IVR and SMS and didn’t miss or missed an appointment (MOTECH non-user). Quantitative information was entered in well-designed data entry templates. All participants’ names were anonymized for data analysis. Results: All the respondents, (n=81) revealed liking both the IVRS and SMS messages and majority of these, 80.2% (n=65) reported that IVR was very easy to understand. Respondents 47.5% (n=45) were comfortable receiving IVR, as opposed to 35.8% (n=29) preferred both text and voice messages. It was also found that 74.1% (n=60) of the respondents who were sent visit reminder messages never missed clinic appointment and 81.5% of those that received information preferred to know how to protect themselves from the disease. Conclusion: The EBOVAC-Salone automated voice messages contributed to valuable learning about areas of improvement for the MOTECH that will be of great importance for future outbreaks and medical interventions.
Abstract: Introduction: The Ebola vaccine Deployment, Acceptance, and Compliance (EBODAC) project was established to develop a communication and community engagement strategy, including the development of appropriate technology, to maximize Ebola vaccination impact in the targeted population both in support of clinical trials and in the broader vaccination p...
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Electronic Supported Solutions to Scale-up Maternal New-born and Child Health Interventions Feasibility Assessment for Hoima District
Geoffrey Babughirana,
Joel Fred Nsumba,
Elisha Nangosha,
Benon Musasizi,
Rebecca Mirembe Mulindwa,
Brian Manyasi,
Lucy Adeke
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 1, March 2021
Pages:
11-21
Received:
26 February 2021
Accepted:
13 March 2021
Published:
7 April 2021
Abstract: Background: The application of mobile telecommunication technologies in the improvement of Maternal New-born and Child Health for developing countries including Uganda is one of the key innovations in improving health outcomes. One of the key models used in disseminating health messages to mothers is the timed and targeted counselling (ttC) model. This model is being implemented in Uganda and it utilizes the services of Village Health Teams (VHTs) to drive change through mHealth. Understanding the feasibility of electronic supported solutions in scaling up Maternal New-born and Child Health intervention is critical at inception to guide resource allocation, understand existing strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to successful implementation of a mobiles health solution. Methods: Across-sectional study to collect quantitative and qualitative data from 432 VHTs was used. A census of 43 Health facilities was also done in Hoima district. Secondary data was collected from the District Health Team, Ministry of Health (MoH) and other relevant actors. The study followed the mHealth Assessment and Planning for Scale (MAPS) Toolkit self-assessment and planning guide designed to offer improvement of project capacity to pursue strategies that increase potential for scaling up and long-term sustainability achievements. A semi structured questionnaire was used which assessed the mHealth feasibility basing on the 16 domains under the 6 axes for the assessment for scale-up of an mHealth platform. Data was analysed at different levels from CommCare, and the District Health Information System (DHIS2) using SPSS. Results. 95.8% of VHTs owned a mobile phone and majorly used them for text messaging (71.3%). The biggest portion of VHTS use MTN network for voice calls or data services with accessibility findings of 88.8% and 86.2% respectively. Most health facilities (55.8%) had personnel trained in computer skills but only 46.5% are proficient in basic computer skills. From the analysis of the 6 axes, the functionality of the mHealth in Hoima district was at 42.6% with Axis 1 on ground work planning and implementation scoring highest with 63.9% and Axis 3 that focuses on Financing the mHealth platform scoring the lowest of 30.0%. Conclusion. For successful application of telecommunication mobile technologies, partnership between different actors needs to be up scaled to reduce on costs and maximize benefits. A deeper stakeholder analysis needs to be done for different organisations to be engaged in different elements that support the mHealth project.
Abstract: Background: The application of mobile telecommunication technologies in the improvement of Maternal New-born and Child Health for developing countries including Uganda is one of the key innovations in improving health outcomes. One of the key models used in disseminating health messages to mothers is the timed and targeted counselling (ttC) model. ...
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