1. Application of smart phone in "Better Border Healthcare Program": A module for mother and child care.
- Author
-
Kaewkungwal, Jaranit, Singhasivanon, Pratap, Khamsiriwatchara, Amnat, Sawang, Surasak, Meankaew, Pongthep, and Wechsart, Apisit
- Subjects
CELL phones ,WIRELESS communications ,CHILD care ,PARENT-child relationships ,PRIMARY care - Abstract
Background: To assess the application of cell phone integrating into the healthcare system to improve antenatal care (ANC) and expanded programme on immunization (EPI) services for the under-served population in border area. Methods: A module combining web-based and mobile technology was developed to generate ANC/EPI visit schedule dates in which the healthcare personnel can cross-check, identify and update the mother's ANC and child's EPI status at the healthcare facility or at the household location when performing home visit; with additional feature of sending appointment reminder directly to the scheduled mother in the community. Results: The module improved ANC/EPI coverage in the study area along the country border including for both Thai and non-Thai mothers and children who were either permanent resident or migrants; numbers of ANC and EPI visit on-time as per schedule significantly increased; there was less delay of antenatal visits and immunizations. Conclusions: The module integrated and functioned successfully as part of the healthcare system; it is proved for its feasibility and the extent to which community healthcare personnel in the low resource setting could efficiently utilize it to perform their duties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
- View/download PDF