Abstract
In Tanzania, significant effort has been made to reduce under-5 mortality rates, and has been somewhat successful in recent years. Many factors have contributed to this, such as using standard treatment protocols for sick children. Using mobile technology has become increasingly popular in health care delivery. This study examines whether the use of mobile technology can leverage a standardized treatment protocol to improve the impact of counseling for children's caretakers and result in better understanding of what needs to be done at home after the clinical visit. A randomized cluster design was utilized in clinics in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Children were treated using either test electronic protocols (eIMCI) or control paper (pIMCI) protocols. Providers using the eIMCI protocol were shown to counsel the mother significantly more frequently than providers using the pIMCI protocol. Caretakers receiving care by providers using the eIMCI protocol recalled significantly more problems and advice when to return and medications than those receiving care by providers using the pIMCI protocol. There was no significant difference among caretakers regarding the frequency and duration to administer medications. This study indicates the use of mobile technology as an important aide in increasing the delivery and recall of counseling messages.
Highlights
There has been significant progress in lowering rates of childhood mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa, few countries in Africa will reach the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) to reduce the under-5 mortality rate by two thirds
This study examines whether the use of mobile technology can leverage a standardized treatment protocol to improve the effect of counseling for children’s caretakers and result in better understanding of what needs to be done at home after the clinical visit
The work of our partners who developed an Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI)-derived clinical protocol for treatment of children under 5 (Rambaud Althaus, Shao, Kahama-Maro, Genton, & D’Acremont, 2015), this study examines whether the use of mobile technology can improve the effect of counseling of children’s caretakers and result in better understanding of what needs to be done at home after the clinical visit
Summary
There has been significant progress in lowering rates of childhood mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa, few countries in Africa will reach the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) to reduce the under-5 mortality rate by two thirds. Even if a child is prescribed the correct treatment, often it will not be correctly given to the child due to lack of understanding by the caretaker. Cultural norms and poor health literacy rates may contribute to a lack of communication between providers and caretakers, resulting in insufficient caretaker understanding and a resulting inability to fulfill treatment plans. The work of our partners who developed an IMCI-derived clinical protocol for treatment of children under 5 (Rambaud Althaus, Shao, Kahama-Maro, Genton, & D’Acremont, 2015), this study examines whether the use of mobile technology can improve the effect of counseling of children’s caretakers and result in better understanding of what needs to be done at home after the clinical visit. The three topics of communication in the protocol that were examined included (a) the diagnosis or problem of the child, (b) when to return to the health facility in cases of worsening of symptoms or a specific number of days, and (c) how to administer the medications prescribed for the child’s treatment (Figure 1)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
