title: Qualitative Assessment of the Feasibility, Usability, and Acceptability of a Mobile Client Data App for Community-Based Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Care in Rural Ghana.
abstract: Mobile phone applications may enhance the delivery of critical health services and the accuracy of health service data. Yet, the opinions and experiences of frontline health workers on using mobile apps to track pregnant and recently delivered women are underreported. This evaluation qualitatively assessed the feasibility, usability, and acceptability of a mobile Client Data App for maternal, neonatal, and child client data management by community health nurses (CHNs) in rural Ghana. The mobile app enabled CHNs to enter, summarize, and query client data. It also sent visit reminders for clients and provided a mechanism to report level of care to district officers. Fourteen interviews and two focus groups with CHNs, midwives, and district health officers were conducted, coded, and thematically analyzed. Results indicated that the app was easily integrated into care, improved CHN productivity, and was acceptable due to its capacity to facilitate client follow-up, data reporting, and decision-making. However, the feasibility and usability of the app were hindered by high client volumes, staff shortages, and software and device challenges. Successful integration of mobile client data apps for frontline health workers in rural and resource-poor settings requires real-time monitoring, program investments, and targeted changes in human resources.
authors.affiliation: Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Room E5030, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Johns Hopkins University Global mHealth Initiative, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Room 5635, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica D
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8503-2233
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Rothstein
authors.affiliation: Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Room E5030, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Johns Hopkins University Global mHealth Initiative, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Room 5635, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Larissa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jennings
authors.affiliation: Grameen Foundation, No. 25 Labone Crescent, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: Anitha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moorthy
authors.affiliation: Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Room E5030, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Fan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Room E5030, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gee
authors.affiliation: Grameen Foundation, No. 25 Labone Crescent, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.affiliation: Grameen Foundation, No. 25 Labone Crescent, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hutchful
authors.affiliation: Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Room E5030, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Johns Hopkins University Global mHealth Initiative, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Room 5635, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Alain B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Labrique
authors.affiliation: Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Room E5030, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Johns Hopkins University Global mHealth Initiative, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Room 5635, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
authors.forename: Amnesty E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: LeFevre