TY  - JOUR
AU  - Yamin, Fazal
AU  - Kaewkungwal, Jaranit
AU  - Singhasivanon, Pratap
AU  - Lawpoolsri, Saranath
PY  - 2018
DA  - 2018/04/10
TI  - Women’s Perceptions of Using Mobile Phones for Maternal and Child Health Support in Afghanistan: Cross-Sectional Survey
JO  - JMIR Mhealth Uhealth
SP  - e76
VL  - 6
IS  - 4
KW  - Afghanistan
KW  - mobile health
KW  - maternal health, child health
KW  - perception
KW  - mobile phone
AB  - 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. 
SN  - 2291-5222
UR  - http://mhealth.jmir.org/2018/4/e76/
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.9504
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29636317
DO  - 10.2196/mhealth.9504
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/mhealth.9504
ER  -