Feasibility and Acceptability of Smartphone Interventions for Maternal and Child Health in Slum Settings in Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

The use of mobile phones for health interventions has become increasingly popular in low-income settings, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to investigate the acceptability of a smartphone intervention to provide maternal and child health messages for women living in slum settings in Uganda. The study utilized a mixed-methods design, comprising a survey and interviews. A total of 200 women participated in the survey, and 23 women participated in the interview sessions. The results indicated a high level of acceptability of the smartphone intervention, with the majority of women expressing their willingness to receive maternal and child health messages via their mobile phones. The women reported that the messages were informative, relevant, and useful for their daily lives. They also appreciated the privacy and convenience of receiving messages on their phones. However, some women expressed concern about the cost of receiving the messages and the need for support to access and use the technology. The study findings suggest that mobile phone interventions for maternal and child health promotion are acceptable to women living in slum settings in Uganda. The findings also highlight the need for equitable access to mobile phones and support for technology use in these settings.