Agnetta Adiedo Nyabundi*, Erick Nyambedha and Sonja Merten
Introduction: Since the 1990’s, Kenya has substantially progressed towards reducing child mortality. Despite the progress, Kenya still lags behind regional and global averages in child mortality rates. Furthermore, like other developing countries, Kenya faces constraints in health system performance and access to services, especially in hard-to-reach areas such as Nyaguda sub-location. Evidence shows that integrating basic mobile phones in integrated Community Case Management (iCCM) could address the challenges of under-five child morbidity and mortality due to common childhood illnesses. In Nyaguda sub-location, mobile phones are integrated informally through their everyday use by the various health stakeholders. There is, however, less evidence of the CHVs' experiences with the informal everyday use of basic mobile phones in support supervision. This study aimed to explore the experiences of various health stakeholders in iCCM during their day-to-day use of basic and own mobile phones. The concept of spaces in global eHealth by Vincent Duclos 2015 guided this study. The concept of spaces reveals how technology has linked bodies, knowledge and care practices in new spatial and temporal configurations.
Materials and methods: Using the qualitative study design, the study population consisted of 25 CHVs trained and supervised in iCCM and having access to mobile phones, 20 caregivers, 4 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with the in-charge of Nyaguda dispensary, Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW) Nyaguda sub-location, a clinical officer and matron in-charge of Maternal Child Health clinic (MCH) at Bondo sub-county hospital, 4 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with the caregivers, CHVs, CHEWs within the intervention sites of iCCM and Bondo sub-county health management team. Data collection methods included; in-depth interviews, KIIs, FGDs and direct observation. Content analysis was used to analyze data by examining emerging themes.
Results: The health workers viewed the mobile phone as an essential tool for tracking cases, promoting health, ensuring adherence to treatment regimen and providing real-time information.
Conclusion: Integrating the mobile phone within iCCM has strengthened the existing initiatives and practices in integrating mhealth in the Kenyan healthcare system and contributed to improving healthcare supervision and promotion.
Published Date: 2023-08-16; Received Date: 2023-05-15
