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Obegu P, Nkangu M, Ngo NV, Wanda F, Kasonde M, Kibu OD, Abong N, Ndiforchu V, Fantaye AW, Buh A, Gobina RM, Foretia DA, Fobellah N, Yaya S. Community participation for reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health: insights from the design and implementation of the BornFyne-prenatal management system digital platform in Cameroon. Front Digit Health 2023; 5:1218641. [PMID: 37664872 PMCID: PMC10470631 DOI: 10.3389/fdgth.2023.1218641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Across communities in low-middle income countries, digital health is currently revolutionizing the delivery of health services, particularly in the field of reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) services. While studies have shown the effectiveness of mHealth in delivering RMNCH services, there is little information about factors that enhance mHealth services utilization in low-cost settings including stakeholders' level of influence on the implementation of digital health intervention in sub-Saharan Africa. This paper seeks to describe important lessons on the levels of stakeholders' direct or indirect influence on the design and implementation of the BornFyne-PNMS digital health platform to support RMNCH services. Methods A participatory research (PR) design approach was employed to explore stakeholders' perspectives of a new initiative, through direct engagement of local priorities and perspectives. The process of introducing the digital application called the BornFyne-PNMS for district health delivery system and the community, and integrating it within the district health delivery system was guided by research-to-action, consistent with the PR approach. To explore stakeholders' perspectives through a PR approach, we conducted a series of stakeholder meetings fashioned after focus group discussions. Results Issues around male involvement in the program, sensitization and equity concerns arose. Emergent challenges and proposed strategies for implementation from diverse stakeholders evidently enriched the design and implementation process of the project intervention. Stakeholder meetings informed the addition of variables on the mobile application that were otherwise initially omitted, which will further enhance the RMNCH electronic data collection for health information systems strengthening in Cameroon. Discussion This study charts a direction that is critical in digital health delivery of RMNCH in a rural and low-income community and describes the important iterative stakeholder input throughout the study. The strategy of stakeholders' involvement in the BornFyne PNMS implementation charts a direction for ownership and sustainability in the strengthening of Cameroon's health information system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Obegu
- Health Promotion Alliance of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Miriam Nkangu
- Health Promotion Alliance of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Ngo Valery Ngo
- Nkafu Policy Institute, Denis and Lenora ForetiaFoundation, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Franck Wanda
- Health Promotion Alliance of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Mwenya Kasonde
- Health Promotion Alliance of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Odette D. Kibu
- Nkafu Policy Institute, Denis and Lenora ForetiaFoundation, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Nelly Abong
- Health Promotion Alliance of Cameroon, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | | | | | - Amos Buh
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Ronald M. Gobina
- Nkafu Policy Institute, Denis and Lenora ForetiaFoundation, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Denis A. Foretia
- Nkafu Policy Institute, Denis and Lenora ForetiaFoundation, Yaounde, Cameroon
- Center for Multicultural and Global Health, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Nkengafack Fobellah
- Nkafu Policy Institute, Denis and Lenora ForetiaFoundation, Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Sanni Yaya
- School of International Development and Global Studies, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Lee S, Adam AJ. Designing a Logic Model for Mobile Maternal Health e-Voucher Programs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: An Interpretive Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 19:295. [PMID: 35010561 PMCID: PMC8744962 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Despite the increasing transition from paper vouchers to mobile e-vouchers for maternal health in low- and middle-income countries, few studies have reviewed key elements for program planning, implementation, and evaluation. To bridge this gap, this study conducted an interpretive review and developed a logic model for mobile maternal health e-voucher programs. Pubmed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched to retrieve relevant studies; 27 maternal health voucher programs from 84 studies were identified, and key elements for the logic model were retrieved and organized systematically. Some of the elements identified have the potential to be improved greatly by shifting to mobile e-vouchers, such as payment via mobile money or electronic claims processing and data entry for registration. The advantages of transitioning to mobile e-voucher identified from the logic model can be summarized as scalability, transparency, and flexibility. The present study contributes to the literature by providing insights into program planning, implementation, and evaluation for mobile maternal health e-voucher programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seohyun Lee
- Department of Global Public Administration, Mirae Campus, Yonsei University, Wonju 26493, Korea
| | - Abdul-jabiru Adam
- Department of Public Administration, Mirae Campus, Yonsei University Graduate School, Wonju 26493, Korea;
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