Impact of mHealth Intervention on Maternal and Neonatal Health Outcomes in a Southwestern State in Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64052/5rfnt234Keywords:
mHealth, maternal health, neonatal health, infection, postpartum hermorrhage, immunization, cord status, NigeriaAbstract
Background: Indices of maternal and child health in many low- and middle-income countries are still much higher than the targets under the Sustainable Development Goals. The deployment of mobile health applications has the potential to improve MCH service delivery and outcomes. This study determined the impact of educational and reminder text messages on maternal and neonatal health outcomes among mothers attending primary healthcare centres in Osun State, Nigeria.
Methods: Aquasi-experimental research design was utilised. Amultistage sampling technique was used to select and randomise the PHCs into the intervention and control groups, and 380 pregnant mothers (190 in each study group) were recruited. The participants were followed up until six weeks after delivery. The rates of specific maternal and neonatal health outcomes were compared between the two groups. Appropriate descriptive and inferential analyses were done.
Results: The mobile health intervention was associated with significantly higher odds of optimal child immunisation uptake (OR = 10.42; CI = 3.69 – 29.42) and good cord status (OR = 3.80; CI = 1.37 – 10.63). The mothers in the intervention group had significantly lower odds of
postpartum depression than their control counterparts (OR = 0.32; CI: 0.11 – 0.95). However, no significant difference was observed concerning the incidence of postpartum haemorrhage, postpartum infection, uptake of contraception, and neonatal weight gain. Although the percentage of neonatal deaths (2.2%) was lower in the intervention group compared to the control group (4.2%), the difference was not statistically significant (OR = 0.51; CI = 0.15 – 1.80).
Conclusion: The mHealth intervention was associated with improved cord status and immunisation rates among neonates, as well as reduced
maternal postpartum depression. The findings suggest a promising role of mHealth intervention in delivering maternal and child healthcare.
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