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Walter YO, Atim P, Amone D, Peter AS, Tabo GO. Attitudes of female market vendors of reproductive age towards use of mobile phones and access to family planning self-care interventions in Northern Uganda: a cross-sectional study. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2024; 24:164. [PMID: 38867227 PMCID: PMC11167777 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-024-02565-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mobile phones are potential digital technologies for accessing family planning self-care interventions. However, their utilization could be possible if women of reproductive age have positive attitudes towards the use of this technology for healthcare purposes. This study aimed to examine the relationship between attitudes towards the use of mobile phones and access to family planning self-care interventions among female market vendors of reproductive age in northern Uganda. METHODS A cross-sectional survey design was used. Two hundred and five randomly selected female vendors from the Gulu city main market participated. A structured researcher-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics and standard multiple regression were performed, and the data were analysed using SPSS software version 15. RESULTS Of the 205 participants, 112 (54.6%) reported using smartphones, and 147 (71.7%) were aware of family planning self-care interventions. Participants had moderate attitudes towards access to family planning self-care interventions (mean = 3.18), positive attitudes towards ease of use (mean = 3.31) and usefulness of mobile phones (mean = 3.30), strong positive attitudes towards privacy (mean = 4.04), and skills associated with using mobile phones (mean = 4.04). Furthermore, significant positive relationships existed between ease of use (p value = 0.000), skills (p value = 0.001), privacy (p value = 0.002) and access to family planning self-care interventions. There was, however, an insignificant positive relationship between mobile phone usefulness and access to family planning self-care interventions (p value = 0.189). CONCLUSIONS Participants' positive attitudes towards the use of mobile phones could lead to access to FP self-care interventions, although uncertainty about the usefulness of the use of mobile phones for accessing FP self-care interventions exists. It is therefore important for healthcare practitioners, health development partners and the government to encourage and integrate the use of mHealth into regular FP self-care services and promotional activities while targeting underserved communities in Uganda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yagos Onen Walter
- Department of Library and Information Service, Medical Library, Gulu University, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Pamela Atim
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Derrick Amone
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Alarakol Simon Peter
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Geoffrey Olok Tabo
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science, Gulu University, Kampala, Uganda
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Mwandacha N, Dau H, AboMoslim M, Naguti P, Sheehan M, Booth A, Smith L, Orem J, Ogilvie G, Nakisige C. Investigating the healthcare-seeking behaviors of mobile phone users to improve cervical cancer screening in rural Uganda. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2024. [PMID: 38702957 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.15577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer in low- and middle-income countries, despite being preventable. Uganda, which lacks an effective screening program, has one of the highest global cervical cancer incidence rates. Mobile health (mHealth) technology has the potential to improve healthcare-seeking behaviors and access. The present study describes the connection between mobile phone access and healthcare-seeking behaviors in rural Uganda. METHODS Women were eligible for this cross-sectional study if they had no prior screening or treatment for cervical cancer in the past 5 years, were aged 30 to 49 years old, and were residents of the South Busoga Forest reserve. Survey data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests. RESULTS Of the 1434 participants included in the analysis, 91.4% reported having access to a mobile phone. Most respondents were aged 30-40 years, had a partner, had ≤primary education, and were farmers. Participants with mobile phone access were significantly more likely to report attending a healthcare outreach visit (access = 87.3%, no access = 72.6%, P < 0.001) or visiting a health center (access = 96.9%, no access = 93.5%, P < 0.001). Participants in both groups had largely positive attitudes around and good knowledge of cervical cancer screening. CONCLUSION While attendance to healthcare services was high amongst participants, those with mobile phone access were more likely to seek healthcare services. Further inquiry into this association between mobile phone access and healthcare-seeking behavior is needed to optimize the improvements to cervical cancer screening when implementing interventions such as mHealth technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelly Mwandacha
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Hallie Dau
- Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Maryam AboMoslim
- Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Mia Sheehan
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Amy Booth
- Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Laurie Smith
- Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- BC Cancer, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Gina Ogilvie
- Women's Health Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- BC Center for Disease Control, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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Reyes-Martí L, Rubio-Rico L, Ortega-Sanz L, Raigal-Aran L, de la Flor-López M, Roca-Biosca A, Valls-Fonayet F, Moharra-Francés M, Escuriet-Peiro R, de Molina-Fernández MI. Contraceptive counselling experiences in Spain in the process of creating a web-based contraceptive decision support tool: a qualitative study. Reprod Health 2021; 18:237. [PMID: 34838040 PMCID: PMC8626746 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-021-01254-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The choice of contraceptive method is a complex decision, and professionals should offer counselling based on the preferences, values and personal situation of the user(s). Some users are unsatisfied with the counselling received, which may, among other consequences, adversely affect method use adherence. In view of this situation, we propose exploring the experiences and needs of users and professionals for contraceptive counselling, in the context of creating a web-based contraceptive decision support tool. Methods/design Qualitative research was conducted through focus group discussions (64 users split into eight groups, and 19 professionals in two groups, in Tarragona, Spain) to explore the subjects’ experiences and needs. The data were categorized and the categories were defined and classified based on the three-step protocol or framework for Quality on Contraceptive Counseling (QCC), created by experts, which reviews the quality of interactions between user and professional during the counselling process. Results In counselling, users demand more information about the different methods, in an environment of erroneous knowledge and misinformation, which lead to false beliefs and myths in the population that are not contrasted by the professional in counselling. They complain that the method is imposed on them and that their views regarding the decision are not considered. Professionals are concerned that their lack of training leads to counselling directed towards the methods they know best. They acknowledge that a paternalistic paradigm persists in the healthcare they provide, and decision support tools may help to improve the situation. Conclusions Users feel unsatisfied and/or demand more information and a warmer, more caring approach. Professionals are reluctant to assume a process of shared decision-making. The use of a contraception DST website may solve some shortcomings in counselling detected in our environment. In Spain, individuals can use a variety of contraceptive methods. Professionals involved in contraceptive counselling should help users to choose and properly use the method that best suits their preferences, personal situation and health status. However, there is a high number of unplanned pregnancies and the population feels dissatisfied with the counselling received. In the context of creating a website dealing with contraceptive methods, we wished to find out how counselling was taking place, giving voice those directly concerned. A qualitative study was proposed to explore the experiences and needs of users and professionals during counselling. Ten focus groups were conducted involving 64 users and 19 professionals from Tarragona (Spain). The results were ordered based on the Quality on Contraceptive Counseling (QCC) framework, created by experts, which determines what the relationship between user and professional should be like during the counselling process. Our analysis highlighted users’ little knowledge and false beliefs concerning contraception who, moreover, complained of receiving little information during counselling. They expressed their discontent with methods being imposed on them by the professional without exploring their preferences or needs. Meanwhile, the professionals argued that they often prescribe the method with which they are most familiar due to the lack of time during consultations at their office and/or because they are unfamiliar with other methods. These results, among others, offer the possibility of improving contraceptive counselling in Spain, if solutions to the difficulties and/or barriers detected are posed and implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Reyes-Martí
- Nursing Department, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av/Catalunya, 35, 43002, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Lourdes Rubio-Rico
- Nursing Department, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av/Catalunya, 35, 43002, Tarragona, Spain.
| | - Laura Ortega-Sanz
- Nursing Department, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av/Catalunya, 35, 43002, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Laia Raigal-Aran
- Nursing Department, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av/Catalunya, 35, 43002, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Miriam de la Flor-López
- Medicine Department, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C/Dr. Mallafrè Guasch, 4, 43005, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Alba Roca-Biosca
- Nursing Department, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av/Catalunya, 35, 43002, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Francesc Valls-Fonayet
- Nursing Department, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av/Catalunya, 35, 43002, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Montse Moharra-Francés
- Agency for Health Quality and Assessment of Catalonia (AQuAS) of the Catalan Ministry of Health, Carrer de Roc Boronat, 81, 08005, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramon Escuriet-Peiro
- Catalan Health Service of the Catalan Ministry of Health, Travessera de Les Corts, 131-159 - Edifici Olímpia. Població, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
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