Title: Reflections on digital Maternal & Child Health support for mothers and community health workers in rural areas of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract:

Introduction : Digital health support using mobile and digital technologies, such as MomConnect and WhatsApp, are providing opportunities to improve maternal and child health care in low and middle income countries.

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted to reflect on experiences of mothers and community health workers on mobile health opportunities in the context of maternal and child health in rural areas. Purposive sampling was used to select 16 participants. Two focus groups and individual semi-structured interview with a guide to collect data about digital maternal and child health support. Thematic analysis assisted in making sense of the given reflections of mothers and community health workers about digital health support.

Results: Participants commented on different existing digital support Apps and their importance for maternal and child health. For example, digital support apps and non-digital resources were perceived as useful way for communication which assist in improving maternal and child health, However participants reported several challenges for the use of these technologies such as poor network connectivity and data affordability and lack of smartphones, data, and capacity on existing cell phones to download the digital Apps.

Keywords: Digital health, Mother and child health, Mother