Maternal mortality is still a major problem in Uganda. Only 41.9% of births is attended by skilled health staff, resulting in 440 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births (For example in the Netherlands this is only 13). In 2010 this led to 4,700 maternal deaths.
These deaths can be easily prevented when the right information is delivered to the right people.
What is the project about?
UNHCO together with Cordaid, IICD and TTC recently started a campaign aiming at reducing maternal mortality. This mobile phone-based program was set up to reach 3000 people in three districts in Uganda and is about collecting data and obtaining and responding to feedback. Village Health Team members (VHT’s) were trained to enrol community members in the text messaging platform. Once the community members are registered they receive messages with information to raise awareness on different aspects of maternal health, for example danger signs during pregnancy, nutrition and patients’ rights. Registered mothers also receive periodic reminders to have antenatal check-ups. Another aspect of the campaign is that community members receive health questions via SMS on client satisfaction.
Combination of mobile technology and other media
Besides sending out and receiving text messages radio shows are aired as well. The radio shows consist of two talk shows per month. During these shows community members can talk about their concerns regarding maternal health. Also feedback that was sent through SMS is discussed. In addition community dialogue meetings are held as a community based intervention. At these meetings issues, concerns and feedback are discussed at a community level.
It can be noted that the use of a combination of multimedia approaches will always increase your audience in such campaigns.
Results
In 2012, the project reached 254 mothers with SMS on different aspects on maternal health. The messages were received in a local dialect called Luganda. More so, over the SMS platform, more than 200 feedback messages were received from people in the three districts, Lyantonde, Kamuli, Luweero and beyond. People commented about the services received from the health centers, the limited number of doctors, their need for maternal health rights information, requests for more information on maternal health and ways to fight Malaria.
It was also observed that mobile technique gave the respondents privacy to express themselves freely on several issues. Via the TTC call center, over 300 patients were interviewed to assess the level of patient satisfaction with the health centers.
In 2013, with continued support from the Connect4Change partners TTC, IICD and Cordaid, UNHCO will continue to use SMS as an innovative tool to share maternal health messages. They plan to target at least 3000 people with information on maternal health, 18 health workers and 60 community resource persons.
Source: TexttoChange