%0 Journal Article
%@ 2291-5222
%I JMIR Publications
%V 6
%N 4
%P e76
%T Women’s Perceptions of Using Mobile Phones for Maternal and Child Health Support in Afghanistan: Cross-Sectional Survey
%A Yamin,Fazal
%A Kaewkungwal,Jaranit
%A Singhasivanon,Pratap
%A Lawpoolsri,Saranath
%+ Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithee Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok,, Thailand, 66 2 306 9188, saranath.law@mahidol.ac.th
%K Afghanistan
%K mobile health
%K maternal health, child health
%K perception
%K mobile phone
%D 2018
%7 10.04.2018
%9 Original Paper
%J JMIR Mhealth Uhealth
%G English
%X 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. 
%M 29636317
%R 10.2196/mhealth.9504
%U http://mhealth.jmir.org/2018/4/e76/
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.9504
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29636317