Online Program

282180
Mhealth for maternal and child health (MCH) monitoring, evaluation and research


Monday, November 4, 2013 : 8:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.

Debra Jackson, RN MPH DSc, School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
Yagespari Singh, BSc, Health Systems Research Unit, Medical Research Council South Africa, Durban, South Africa
Ameena Goga, MBCHB, Health Systems Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa
Tanya Doherty, PhD, Health Systems Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, South Africa
Petrida Ijumba, MSc, Health Systems Research Unit, Medical Research Council South Africa, Durban, South Africa
Mary Hartley, Mobenzi, Cape Town, South Africa
Andi Friedman, Mobenzi, Cape Town, South Africa
Mark Tomlinson, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
We will be unable to achieve sustained impact on health outcomes with maternal and child health (MCH) interventions unless we bridge the gap between small scale efficacy studies and large scale interventions. Effective strategies to support monitoring and evaluation of MCH interventions and conduct large scale MCH research are central to bridging the gap. Inexpensive and easy to use, mobile phones are broadly available, particularly in LMIC, where penetration approaches 100%. This technology represents an effective option for MCH monitoring, evaluation and research. Our South African team has successfully used mobile (mHealth) technology to support and evaluate MCH health interventions for the past 6 years. In partnership with a mobile technology company we developed a system to use mobile phones in the field (communities and health facilities) with a web-based interface utilized by supervisors. Computerized algorithms were designed with intervention and assessment protocols to aid in the real-time supervision and management of field work and collection of research data. Our work has included management and evaluation of two community cluster randomized trials and national facility-based surveillance of the South African National PMTCT program. The latter system manages data from over 10,000 infants from every region of the country. We are able to monitor enrolment data daily, track progress, and manage field staff. Analytical screens monitor field worker performance and measure health outcomes. Results are readily available for feedback to stakeholders and program managers. The system has proved useful for both cross-sectional and cohort tracking, data collection and data management.

Learning Areas:

Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe use of mHealth for MCH M&E and Research Discuss advantages of using mHealth for MCH data collection & data management Demonstrate mHealth technology for use in MCH M&E and Research

Keyword(s): Maternal and Child Health, Technology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Principal Investigator of the research and first author of paper
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.