Feasibility of a Mobile Health Tool for Mothers to Identify Neonatal Illness in Rural Uganda: Acceptability Study

• DOI: 10.2196/16426
• Publication Date: 2020-02-18T10:33:17Z
• Authors: Shababa B Matin; Allison Wallingford; Shicheng Xu; Natalie Ng; Anthony Ho; Madison Vanosdoll; Peter Waiswa; Alain B Labrique; Soumyadipta Acharya
• Keywords: mHealth; Triage; Economic shortage

Background A shortage of community health workers to triage sick neonates and poor recognition neonatal illness by mothers contribute significantly toward deaths in low- middle-income countries. Providing low-resource communities with the tools knowledge recognize signs distress can lead early care-seeking behavior. To empower educate illness, we developed a assessment device consisting smartphone app wearable sensor (the NeMo system). Objective The aim this study was determine if rural Uganda were willing able use system during first week their infant’s life. We also assessed mothers’ responses device’s recommendation seek care. Methods total 20 enrolled after giving birth Iganga District Hospital. Each mother trained assess her infant for before leaving hospital given at home 1 week. Throughout week, tracked usage NeMo, team visited twice observe ability NeMo. interviewed end gather qualitative feedback on experience system. Results In total, 18 completed study; 2 withdrawn because extenuating circumstances. Moreover, day enrollment training, 75% (15/20) used properly no mistakes. 3 days only placed improperly infant. On final day, connected improperly. Mothers an average 11.67 (SD 5.70) times own 5 full days. Although frequency per decreased from (P=.04), 72% (13/18) least once day. 64% (9/14) who received alert care infants either called professional working or reused immediately found danger signs. All agreed strongly that easy helped them know when babies. Conclusions is feasible acceptable tool aid health.