mHealth Ethnography in Ghana
Mobile phone usage is increasing rapidly in rural areas of Ghana, creating many opportunities to translate information and communications technology into gains, particularly for fighting disease and improving population health. By conducting the mHealth Ethnography, Grameen Foundation has sought to assess the initial state of information, communication, and mobile phone use for maternal and newborn health both within the health sector and the general population in the Dangme West District in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Key study findings illustrate that there is a strong foundation upon which the MoTECH Project can build to advance the use of mobile telephony to target beneficiaries in the general population.
Health Sector Summary Findings and Recommendations
-
-
Key challenges include the renewal of health insurance, resulting in a recent decline in the demand for services.
-
Outreach services by clinical staff are well structured, however, the links to and roles of volunteers are poorly defined. In the health sector, mobile technologies are already in use for consultation, administration, and emergency support. They present an opportunity to streamline data capture and reporting practices.
General Population Summary of Findings and Recommendations
-
Cost of services plays a significant role in treatment-seeking behaviors.
-
For maternal and newborn health gender of the care provider and/or volunteer also plays a significant role.
-
The use of mobile phones to access health information and coordinate health related transportation for emergencies was prominent.
-
Key recommendations included the use of voice over text for outreach to pregnant women and recent mothers as well as linking to other broadcast and community media outlets- such as the vehicle with the microphone used tomobilize child welfare clinics.
To read the complete mHealth Ethnography, click here.
