Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences
Open Access

Perception of frontline health workers about m-health applications in India

Joint Event on Global Public Health Congress & Annual Congress on Nutrition & Healthcare

October 18-20, 2018 Paris, France

Navdeep Kaur,Sonu Goel, Kiranjit Kaur, Nisha Makkar and Jyotirmaye Patra

Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, India

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nutr Food Sci

Abstract :

The rapid expansion of mobile technology infrastructure presents an unprecedented opportunity to increase access to health care in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). m-Health (Mobile Health) interventions has an opportunity to provide point-of-care decision support to community-based health workers for effective case management. The present study aims at reporting initial investigations into the task of introducing m-health application to improve child health care facilities. It was a sequential, explanatory mixed study which used structured perception checklists and focused group discussions to record the perception of the frontline workers i.e. ANM (Auxiliary Nurse Midwives) (n=40) about using m-health in health care delivery in community settings. It was found that 80% of ANMs were using mobile technology in their work setting and almost all of them were positive about introduction of IT in health care on regular basis. Major concerns of the ANMs were inability to use smart phones, network issues, lack of internet connectivity etc. More than half (65%) of the ANMs expressed ability to use mobile apps on provision of proper trainings. 1/3rd of the ANMs listed knowledge and skill up gradation as the main use of m-health followed by recording and reporting information as the second most important use. Emergency alarm and GPS tracking were marked as the most and the least desired features, respectively in any m- health application. Overall the ANMs were enthusiastic to use mobile applications in health care delivery.

Biography :

Navdeep Kaur has completed her Graduation in Dental Sciences from Manipal College of Dental Science, Karnataka and Master’s in Public Health from Punjab University, Chandigarh. She is currently working as Research Assistant in an ICMR funded project related to introduction of e-IMCI in community settings at Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India. She has worked in state funded tobacco control project and also has experience in field work and report writing related to Public Health.

E-mail: sandhu.navdeep172@gmail.cmo