Feasibility and Acceptability of a Ugandan Telehealth Engagement Platform for Informational Messaging on Modern Contraception: Pilot Cross-sectional Study.
Uganda
contraception
digital health
family planning
health education
mHealth
male involvement
messaging
telehealth
Journal
JMIR formative research
ISSN: 2561-326X
Titre abrégé: JMIR Form Res
Pays: Canada
ID NLM: 101726394
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
28 Jun 2022
28 Jun 2022
Historique:
received:
22
10
2021
accepted:
17
03
2022
revised:
05
01
2022
entrez:
28
6
2022
pubmed:
29
6
2022
medline:
29
6
2022
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
With the region's highest population growth rate (30%), Uganda is on the brink of a population explosion, yet access to and utilization of public health control measures like modern contraception is a challenge. This is due to remotely located health facilities, noncustomized health content, and poor or nonfunctional post-facility follow-up. The aim of our study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth engagement platform primarily targeting men; the platform provided behavioral and informational messaging on modern contraception (ie, family planning) and its impact on shaping sexual and reproductive health and knowledge and uptake of family planning services. A longitudinal cohort of men aged 18 years and older gave consent to receive mobile phone messages on family planning; follow-up was performed at months 1, 4, and 6 to assess key study-related outcomes on knowledge transfer and acquisition on modern contraception, partner communication, and spousal uptake of family planning. Qualitative interviews with the study participants' spouses were also performed. The study included 551 study participants, 450 of whom were men, the primary study participants, who received the family planning mobile messages and 101 of whom were their spouses. Of the 450 primary participants, 426 (95%) successfully received the messages and only 24 (5%) reported not receiving them. The average response (ie, participation) rate in weekly quizzes was 23%. There was a noted 18.1% increase in couple communication attributed to the intervention; couples opened up more to each other on matters concerning family planning. Using digital channels to address the concerns and inquiries of participants in real time or as fast as possible helped to increase the likelihood that couples adopted family planning.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
With the region's highest population growth rate (30%), Uganda is on the brink of a population explosion, yet access to and utilization of public health control measures like modern contraception is a challenge. This is due to remotely located health facilities, noncustomized health content, and poor or nonfunctional post-facility follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth engagement platform primarily targeting men; the platform provided behavioral and informational messaging on modern contraception (ie, family planning) and its impact on shaping sexual and reproductive health and knowledge and uptake of family planning services.
METHODS
METHODS
A longitudinal cohort of men aged 18 years and older gave consent to receive mobile phone messages on family planning; follow-up was performed at months 1, 4, and 6 to assess key study-related outcomes on knowledge transfer and acquisition on modern contraception, partner communication, and spousal uptake of family planning. Qualitative interviews with the study participants' spouses were also performed.
RESULTS
RESULTS
The study included 551 study participants, 450 of whom were men, the primary study participants, who received the family planning mobile messages and 101 of whom were their spouses. Of the 450 primary participants, 426 (95%) successfully received the messages and only 24 (5%) reported not receiving them. The average response (ie, participation) rate in weekly quizzes was 23%. There was a noted 18.1% increase in couple communication attributed to the intervention; couples opened up more to each other on matters concerning family planning.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Using digital channels to address the concerns and inquiries of participants in real time or as fast as possible helped to increase the likelihood that couples adopted family planning.
Identifiants
pubmed: 35763336
pii: v6i6e34424
doi: 10.2196/34424
pmc: PMC9277522
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
e34424Informations de copyright
©Louis Henry Kamulegeya, JohnMark Bwanika, Joy Banonya, Joan Atuhaire, Davis Musinguzi, Vivian Nakate, Joshua Kyenkya, Lydia Namatende, Keith J Horvath, Agnes Kiragga. Originally published in JMIR Formative Research (https://formative.jmir.org), 28.06.2022.
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