Harnessing information technology to improve women's health information: evidence from Pakistan.
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Date
2014-09-09
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Abstract
BACKGROUND More than half of Pakistani women are illiterate marginalized and experience myriad health problems These women are also disadvantaged in terms of their restricted mobility and limited access to public space Nonetheless user friendly information and communication technologies ICTs have opened up new opportunities to provide them with information that is essential for their health and well being METHODS We established an Information and Communication Centre ICC in a village in Sialkot Pakistan on a pilot basis in 2009 The basic philosophy of the ICC was to provide women with health related information by exposing them to modern sources of information on their doorstep By design the ICC was a community based and community managed institution where women could access information through online e g internet mobile phone etc and offline e g CDs TV etc resources The ICC was managed by a group of local volunteer women who had the capacity and skills to use the devices and tools of modern ICTs RESULTS We noted an overwhelming participation and interest from local women in the activities of the ICC The women wanted to receive information on a wide range of issues from family planning antenatal care and childcare to garbage disposal and prevention of domestic violence Overall the ICC was successful in initiating a meaningful information dialogue at community level where much needed information was retrieved negotiated mediated and disseminated through intimate and trusted relations CONCLUSION We conclude that ICTs have the capacity to cross the barriers of illiteracy and can reach out to disadvantaged women living under a conservative patriarchal regime
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Keywords
Women (only), Client, Addressing individual beliefs and practices, Demand for services, Social and behavior change communication, Health education or promotion