Women's Perceptions of Using Mobile Phones for Maternal and Child Health Support in Afghanistan: Cross-Sectional Survey.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Growing rates of global mobile subscriptions pave the way for implementation of mobile health mHealth initiatives especially among hard to reach populations OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the perceptions of Afghan women regarding the use of mobile phones for maternal and child health services METHODS A cross sectional survey was conducted in both rural and urban districts of Nangarhar Province Afghanistan The interviewer administered questionnaire was used to assess participants demographic profile mobile phone usage and perception of respondents toward different aspects of health care delivery via mobile phones RESULTS Of the 240 participants 142 59 2 owned mobile phones and 220 91 7 routinely used mobile phones Approximately 209 87 1 of participants were willing to receive health messages via a mobile phone Automated voice call was the most preferred method for sending health messages More than 90 of the women reported that they would like to receive reminders for their children s vaccinations and antenatal care visits CONCLUSIONS Users perception was associated with mobile phone ownership literacy level and experience using mobile phones In the study area where the literacy rate is low mHealth was well perceived