@Article{info:doi/10.2196/mhealth.9504,
author="Yamin, Fazal
and Kaewkungwal, Jaranit
and Singhasivanon, Pratap
and Lawpoolsri, Saranath",
title="Women's Perceptions of Using Mobile Phones for Maternal and Child Health Support in Afghanistan: Cross-Sectional Survey",
journal="JMIR Mhealth Uhealth",
year="2018",
month="Apr",
day="10",
volume="6",
number="4",
pages="e76",
keywords="Afghanistan; mobile health; maternal health, child health; perception; mobile phone",
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. ",
issn="2291-5222",
doi="10.2196/mhealth.9504",
url="http://mhealth.jmir.org/2018/4/e76/",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.9504",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29636317"
}