Abstract:
The high maternal and neonatal mortality rate in sub-Saharan
Africa could be reduced by using navigation by means of mobile devices to increase the number of women who choose to give birth in a health center (HC)
with a skilled healthcare practitioner.
Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used to test a midwife-delivered navigation by means of mobile phone. A total of 208 women were randomized to two
groups (intervention and control). Women in the intervention group received up
to three navigation calls from midwives. Women in the control group received
usual antenatal education during prenatal visits. Data were collected using semistructured questionnaires. Childbirth location was determined through medical
records.
Results: Overall, 180 (87%) women gave birth in a HC with a 3% advantage for
the intervention group. A total of 86% (88/102) of the control group gave birth in
a HC versus 89% (92/103) for the intervention group (Χ2=0.44, p-value=0.51),
with an unadjusted odds ratio of 1.33 (95% CI: 0.57, 3.09). Among those with
personal phones, 91% (138/152) had a birth in a HC versus 79% (42/53) in those
without a personal phone (Χ2=4.89, p-value=0.03).
Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that it is feasible to deliver phonebased navigation to support birth in a HC; personal phone ownership may be a
factor in the success of this strategy.
