Generic placeholder image

Current Women`s Health Reviews

Author(s): Md. Mosharaf Hossain*, Ruhani Mat Min and Madihah Mohd Shukri

DOI: 10.2174/1573404817666210702163730

DownloadDownload PDF Flyer Cite As
The Use of Mobile Phones by Women Accessing Health Care Services in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Article ID: e031121194447 Pages: 8

  • * (Excluding Mailing and Handling)

Abstract

Background: Maternal and neonatal mortality rates still pose a global challenge.

Objectives: The present study aimed to identify the socio-demographic characteristics of mobile users trying to access antenatal care services, transportation to facilities, and postnatal care for mothers and newborns.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that used data collected from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2014. Data were gathered using a questionnaire. Participants comprised 4,494 mothers aged between 14 and 49. Models of logistic regression were used to determine associations.

Results: The overall sample size was 4494, with only 22.23% of women using mobile phones. Among these, 29.9% used their mobile phones to obtain health services or advice and 70.1% did not. Women with mobile phones who had a higher level of education used them to receive more health care (secondary and higher: OR = 1.922, 95% CI = 1.225-3.014; primary: OR = 1.982, 95% CI = 1.738-2.654), they were of higher socio-economic status (rich: OR = 1.228, 95% CI = 1.009-1.494; middle income: OR = 1.691, 95% CI = 1.256-2.333), they accessed more prenatal care (yes: OR = 1.993, 95% CI = 1.425-1.987) and antenatal care (yes: OR = 1.951, 95% CI = 1.765-1.998) and they checked their health status after delivery (yes: OR = 1.966, 95% CI = 1.639-2.357).

Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that young women who had a higher level of education and income and resided in urban areas were more likely to use mobile phones to receive health care facilities in Bangladesh. Intervention studies are essential for recognising that mobile phone-based facilities improve maternal health care.

Keywords: Mobile phones, women, maternal care, antenatal care, child health and health facility, newborn, Bangladesh.

Graphical Abstract

[1]
Goal 4: REDUCE CHILD MORTALITY. We can end poverty: United Nations Millennium Development Goals and beyond 2015 2015. Available from: http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/ childhealth.shtml [Accessed 2013]
[2]
We can end poverty United Nations millennium goals and beyond 2015: GOAL 5: Improve maternal health 2013. Available from: http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/ maternal.shtml
[3]
United Nations. United Nations A/RES/71. Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development 2015. Available from: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/21252030%20Agenda%20for%20Sustainable%20Development%20web.pdf
[4]
Lozano R, Wang H, Foreman KJ, et al. Progress towards millennium development goals 4 and 5 on maternal and child mortality: An updated systematic analysis. Lancet 2011; 378(9797): 1139-65.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61337-8] [PMID: 21937100]
[5]
Nations U. The millennium development goals report 2014 2014.
[6]
Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2014 2016. Available from: https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR311/FR311.pdf
[7]
Health, population and nutrition sector development programme (HPNSDP) July 2011–June 2016 2012. Available from: http://www. nationalplanningcycles.org/sites/default/files/country_docs/Bangladesh/bangladesh_hpnsdp_2011-2016.pdf
[8]
Care in normal birth: A practical guide 1996. Available from: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/63167/1/WHO_FRH_MSM_96
[9]
Postnatal care of mothers and new-borns: Highlights from the World Health Organizations 2013 guidelines 2015. Available from: http://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/publications/WHOMCA-PNC-2014-Briefer_A4.pdf
[10]
Thermal protection of the new-born: A practical guide 1997. Available from: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/63986/1/ WHO_RHT_MSM_97.2.pdf
[11]
Mullany LC. Neonatal hypothermia in low-resource settings. Semin Perinatol 2010; 34(6): 426-33.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/j.semperi.2010.09.007] [PMID: 21094417]
[12]
Jareethum R, Titapant V, Chantra T, Sommai V, Chuenwattana P, Jirawan C. Satisfaction of healthy pregnant women receiving short message service via mobile phone for prenatal support: A randomized controlled trial. J Med Assoc Thai 2008; 91(4): 458-63.
[PMID: 18556852]
[13]
Walker WA, Iyengar RS. Breast milk, microbiota, and intestinal immune homeostasis. Pediatr Res 2015; 77(1-2): 220-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/pr.2014.160] [PMID: 25310762]
[14]
Nations U. The millennium development goals report 2014 2014. Available from: http:// www.un.org/millenniumgoals/ 2014%20MDG%20report/MDG%202014%20 English%20web.pdf
[15]
Gentles SJ, Lokker C, McKibbon KA. Health information technology to facilitate communication involving health care providers, caregivers, and pediatric patients: a scoping review. J Med Internet Res 2010; 12(2): e22.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/jmir.1390] [PMID: 20562092]
[16]
Lund S, Nielsen BB, Hemed M, et al. Mobile phones improve antenatal care attendance in Zanzibar: A cluster randomized controlled trial. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2014; 14(29): 29.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-14-29] [PMID: 24438517]
[17]
Kaewkungwal J, Singhasivanon P, Khamsiriwatchara A, Sawang S, Meankaew P, Wechsart A. Application of smart phone in “Better Border Healthcare Program”: A module for mother and child care. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2010; 10(69): 69.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1472-6947-10-69] [PMID: 21047412]
[18]
Tesfaye S, Barry D, Gobezayehu AG, et al. Improving coverage of postnatal care in rural Ethiopia using a community-based, collaborative quality improvement approach. J Midwifery Womens Health 2014; 59(1): S55-64.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.12168] [PMID: 24588916]
[19]
Lund S, Hemed M, Nielsen BB, et al. Mobile phones as a health communication tool to improve skilled attendance at delivery in Zanzibar: A cluster-randomised controlled trial. BJOG 2012; 119(10): 1256-64.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2012.03413.x] [PMID: 22805598]
[20]
Desta BF, Mohammed H, Barry D, Frew AH, Hepburn K, Claypoole C. Use of mobile video show for community behavior change on maternal and newborn health in rural Ethiopia. J Midwifery Womens Health 2014; 59(Suppl. 1): S65-72.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.12111] [PMID: 24588918]
[21]
Lester RT, Ritvo P, Mills EJ, et al. Effects of a mobile phone short message service on antiretroviral treatment adherence in Kenya (WelTel Kenya1): A randomised trial. Lancet 2010; 376(9755): 1838-45.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(10)61997-6] [PMID: 21071074]
[22]
Wesolowski A, Eagle N, Noor AM, Snow RW, Buckee CO. Heterogeneous mobile phone ownership and usage patterns in Kenya. PLoS One 2012; 7(4): e35319.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0035319] [PMID: 22558140]
[23]
Barros AJ, Victora CG. Measuring coverage in MNCH: determining and interpreting inequalities in coverage of maternal, newborn, and child health interventions. PLoS Med 2013; 10(5): e1001390.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001390] [PMID: 23667332]
[24]
de Graaf JP, Steegers EA, Bonsel GJ. Inequalities in perinatal and maternal health. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 2013; 25(2): 98-108.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/GCO.0b013e32835ec9b0] [PMID: 23425665]
[25]
GSMA. Touching lives through mobile health: Assessment of the global market opportunity 2012.
[26]
Rahman MS, Hanifi S, Khatun F, et al. Knowledge, attitudes and intention regarding mHealth in generation Y: Evidence from a population based cross sectional study in Chakaria, Bangladesh. BMJ Open 2017; 7(11): e016217.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016217] [PMID: 29146634]
[27]
Nie J, Unger JA, Thompson S, Hofstee M, Gu J, Mercer MA. Does mobile phone ownership predict better utilization of maternal and newborn health services? a cross-sectional study in Timor-Leste. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2016; 16(1): 183.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12884-016-0981-1] [PMID: 27448798]
[28]
Hossain M, Mani KKC, Mohd Sidik S, Kadir Shahar H. The development of an intervention package to prevent children under five years old drowning in rural Bangladesh. Acta Paediatr 2016; 105(8): e373-8.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/apa.13447] [PMID: 27111395]
[29]
Hossain MM, Min RBM, Muhammad Z, Mani KKC. Effectiveness of mobile SMS based counselling intervention in improving the knowledge, attitude, and practices of HIV/AIDS patients enrolled in hospitals/NGOs in Terengganu, Malaysia: a mixed mode study protocol. BMC Public Health 2020; 20(1): 787-96.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-08910-3] [PMID: 32456618]
[30]
Hossain MM, Islam MR, Sarkar ASR, Ali Khan MM, Taneepanichskul S. Prevalence and determinants risk factors of underweight and overweight among women in Bangladesh. Obesit Med 2018; 11: 1-5.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.obmed.2018.05.002]