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Mobile phone‐based interactive voice response as a tool for improving access to healthcare in remote areas in Ghana – an evaluation of user experiences
Author(s) -
Brinkel J.,
May J.,
Krumkamp R.,
Lamshöft M.,
Kreuels B.,
OwusuDabo E.,
Mohammed A.,
Bonacic Marinovic A.,
DakoGyeke P.,
Krämer A.,
Fobil J. N.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
tropical medicine and international health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 114
eISSN - 1365-3156
pISSN - 1360-2276
DOI - 10.1111/tmi.12864
Subject(s) - usability , mhealth , focus group , empowerment , interactive voice response , population , health care , mobile phone , medicine , nursing , medical education , internet privacy , environmental health , computer science , psychological intervention , business , telecommunications , human–computer interaction , marketing , political science , economics , law , economic growth
Objectives To investigate and determine the factors that enhanced or constituted barriers to the acceptance of an mH ealth system which was piloted in Asante‐Akim North District of Ghana to support healthcare of children. Methods Four semi‐structured focus group discussions were conducted with a total of 37 mothers. Participants were selected from a study population of mothers who subscribed to a pilot mH ealth system which used an interactive voice response ( IVR ) for its operations. Data were evaluated using qualitative content analysis methods. In addition, a short quantitative questionnaire assessed system's usability ( SUS ). Results Results revealed 10 categories of factors that facilitated user acceptance of the IVR system including quality‐of‐care experience, health education and empowerment of women. The eight categories of factors identified as barriers to user acceptance included the lack of human interaction, lack of update and training on the electronic advices provided and lack of social integration of the system into the community. The usability ( SUS median: 79.3; range: 65–97.5) of the system was rated acceptable. Conclusions The principles of the tested mH ealth system could be of interest during infectious disease outbreaks, such as Ebola or Lassa fever, when there might be a special need for disease‐specific health information within populations.