INFLUENCE OF MOBILE PHONE HEALTH INFORMATION ON ANTENATAL CARE PRACTICES AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN

TOPIC: INFLUENCE OF MOBILE PHONE HEALTH INFORMATION ON ANTENATAL CARE PRACTICES AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN

THIS TOPIC IS ALSO SUITABLE FOR: 
1. Public Health Department

2. Nursing Science Department

3. Health Education Department

4. Community Health Department

This research material contains:

1-Chapter One to Five

2-Recent References/citations

3-Tables/Charts/Graphs in Chapter Four

4-Accurate Data Analysis

5-Table of Contents

6-Questionnare

ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to examine the influence of mobile phone health information on antenatal care practices among pregnant women attending Poly General Hospital. The study was specifically carried out to determine the level of access to mobile phone health information among pregnant women attending clinic in Poly General Hospital, identify the sources of mobile phone health information used by pregnant women, ascertain the types of antenatal care information obtained through mobile phones among pregnant women and assess how mobile phone health information influences antenatal care practices among pregnant women attending Poly General Hospital. The study employed the descriptive survey research design. Hence, the questionnaire was used for data collection, while the data collected were analyzed using frequency tables and percentages. A total population of 250 pregnant women attending Poly General Hospital was used for the study. A sample size of 154 was determined using the Taro Yamane formula, while 139 validated copies of the questionnaire were used for the final analysis. The respondents were selected using a multi-stage sampling technique comprising stratified and convenience sampling methods. From the responses obtained and analyzed, the findings revealed that respondents had a moderate level of access to mobile phone health information, with 61.2% agreeing that they could easily access antenatal health information through their mobile phones. The study also revealed that WhatsApp, Google, Facebook, SMS and health applications were the major sources of mobile phone health information, as 60.4% of the respondents agreed that WhatsApp was frequently used to obtain pregnancy-related information. Furthermore, the findings showed that 60.5% of the respondents obtained information on proper nutrition during pregnancy through their mobile phones, while 59.7% agreed that they received information on the importance of regular antenatal clinic attendance. The study further revealed that mobile phone health information positively influenced antenatal care practices, as 60.4% of the respondents agreed that it encouraged regular antenatal clinic attendance, while 59.8% agreed that it increased their confidence in making informed pregnancy-related decisions. The study therefore recommends that healthcare providers should intensify the dissemination of accurate antenatal health information through trusted mobile phone platforms, while government and health institutions should strengthen digital maternal health education programmes to improve antenatal care utilization among pregnant women.

Keywords: Mobile Phone Health Information, Antenatal Care, Pregnant Women, Mobile Health, Maternal Health.

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION (Preview)
1.1 Background to the Study
It is universally acknowledged that health is an integral part of human development because it impacts on the quality of life, the socioeconomic productivity of people and the sustainability of communities. As a result, governments, international organisations and health care institutions have always been investing in initiatives that make health care more accessible, more people more aware of diseases and their prevention, and more health literate. The fast pace of the development of information and communication technologies has also revolutionized health services in the way it provides an innovative alternative to the dissemination of health information in a very efficient and consistent way. Musiimenta et al. (2021) noted that digital health technologies had facilitated access to accurate and timely health information to people, supporting them to make health-related decisions. In the same manner, Adewuyi et al. (2024) further noted that technological innovations have made healthcare delivery more robust and enabled healthcare providers and healthcare users to engage in more continuous interaction, outside of the traditional healthcare setting. Okonofua et al. (2023) also claimed that digital communication in health care had contributed to increased awareness of the public for preventive health practices and increased engagement in health-enhancing behaviors. With the ongoing transformation of healthcare communication by digital technology, mobile devices are now the focus of attention when it comes to personalized health information for targeted population segments.

Mobile phones are ubiquitous and are now increasingly being used and owned as essential tools for health communication in both developed and developing societies. Mobile phone health information is defined as health education messages, health reminders, health counselling, health behavioural recommendations and health medical guidance sent via mobile communication channels (voice, SMS, multimedia, apps, internet-based) with the aim of enhancing health knowledge and promoting positive health behaviours. Kabir (2022) reported that the use of mobile phone health information has improved healthcare communication by facilitating timely sharing of critical health information to various populations regardless of their geographical location. Ebeso et al. (2021) reported that mobile health interventions have reinforced the provision of maternal and child health information, making it possible to communicate through available and easy-to-use communication channels, which has facilitated continuous health education. Similarly, Kezelee et al. (2023) described how mobile phone health communication had been a means of reaching healthcare services outside of health facilities, while enabling continuity of services between health professionals and users. Given the increasing dependence on mobile communication in healthcare, it is clear that it is relevant to maternal healthcare, where up-to-date and reliable information is essential every step of the way during pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a major physiological and developmental period and needs careful monitoring, health education and professional guidance for the welfare of the mother and child. Preventive, promotive, curative and educational health care services given to pregnant women from conception to childbirth are considered as antenatal care to achieve healthy pregnancy outcomes and equip mothers for safe delivery and effective newborn care. Malachi et al. (2024) reported that ante natal care had integrated the routine clinical assessment, nutritional counselling, health education, disease prevention and psychosocial support to support the wellbeing of the mother and the newborn. Consistent involvement in ANC has helped pregnant women to learn and receive practical suggestions on how to keep their pregnancies healthy and adopt the right maternal health behaviours, according to Rafi et al. (2025). Moreover, Nasiru and Muazu (2025) stated that the practices that constituted antenatal care involved regular attendance at the scheduled clinic visits, taking the prescribed medication, adequate nutrition, immunization, personal hygiene, and preparedness for childbirth. Furthermore, effective communication between health care providers and pregnant women had been found to have strengthened the women's ability to engage in the recommended antenatal care practices, thus increasing the understanding of the women of the health information related to the pregnancy and its implementation in the process of pregnancy (Olomi et al., 2025).

The growing role of mobile phone health information in maternal health has also enhanced the antenatal service provision, enabling a seamless communication between health care providers and pregnant women throughout the antenatal process. Aside from its use as an additional medium of communication, mobile phones have proven to be useful platforms for reinforcing health education messages, reminding pregnant women to attend appointments, giving pregnancy-specific advice, and promoting compliance with recommended health practices prior to childbirth. The findings of Eliufoo et al. (2024) indicated that mobile health information about maternal health had improved continuity of care, as pregnant women received timely health information and guidance which were relevant to their gestation period. Okonofua et al. (2023) also found that digital communication for health had had the impact of reinforcing the uptake of recommended maternal health practices by providing access to reliable health information in between clinical encounters. Additionally, Adewuyi et al. (2024) continued that mobile communication techniques were becoming more popular in health facilities for maternal health programmes, as they were increasingly used to improve patient education and to keep patients engaged in antenatal care. In this wider healthcare context the importance of mobile phone health information on antenatal care practices among pregnant women becomes a relevant field of interest to study the impact of mobile phone health information in the context of ongoing use alongside traditional maternal healthcare services, and facilitating the provision of comprehensive antenatal care.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Health information is an indispensable part of the decision-making process in health care and the engagement of recommended practices in maternal health during pregnancy. Mobile phone technology is being increasingly used in the healthcare sector, offering possibilities to provide pregnant women with up-to-the-minute health education, appointment reminders and behavioural advice in addition to traditional antenatal care services. The potential of mobile phone health information should improve pregnant women's knowledge and understanding of pregnancy-related matters, increase adherence to recommended antenatal care practices, and encourage ongoing participation in health care providers' services during pregnancy. Musiimenta et al. (2021) found that mobile phone health communication has enhanced the access to important maternal health information for pregnant women. Likewise, Okonofua et al (2023) found that digital communication was now part of maternal health care through providing ongoing health education outside of the clinic setting. The developments highlight the increasing importance of mobile health communication in modern antenatal health communication service.

Although mobile phone health information is becoming more available, there are still differences in the extent to which pregnant women use the information to support the recommended practices for antenatal care. Health information delivered via mobile phones ought to have a clear result of campaigning for regular attendance to ante natal clinics, following healthcare professionals' recommendations, healthy eating habits, taking prescribed medications and preparing for childbirth. But, research has indicated that the mobile phone health information dimension effect to antenatal care practices is inconsistent in different healthcare settings and populations. Adewuyi et al. (2024) noted that while DH communication had grown significantly, inconsistencies were identified in the ways pregnant women interpreted and acted on the information they received. Similarly, Kabir (2022) reported that the impact of mobile phone health information was not clearly evident due to the level of engagement, understanding and use of the provided health messages.

Moreover, while there have been studies of mobile health interventions and maternal health care, little empirical research has focused on the effects of mobile phone health information on the practices of maternal healthcare workers at the Poly General Hospital. Existing research has focused on the availability or implementation of mobile health technologies without properly defining the link between mobile health technologies and routine antenatal care behaviours at the health facilities. This context shows a gap in knowledge on how much antenatal care embraces the use of mobile phone health information among the pregnant women in the study area. Eliufoo et al. (2024) reported that communication in the healthcare sector was increasingly becoming digital, with a view of enhancing patient education, when it comes to maternal healthcare services. Nevertheless, Okonofua et al. (2023) indicated the need for context-specific evidence to understand the effectiveness of such interventions. Against this backdrop, it is against this backdrop that this study aims to explore the effect of mobile phone health information on antenatal care practices among pregnant women attending Poly General Hospital, so as to give empirical evidence for the guidance of maternal health communication strategies and practice.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to examine the influence of mobile phone health information on antenatal care practices among pregnant women attending poly general hospital. The specific objectives of the study seek to:

1.To determine the level of access to mobile phone health information among pregnant women attending clinic in Poly General Hospital.

2.To identify the sources of mobile phone health information used by pregnant women (e.g., WhatsApp, Google, Facebook, SMS, and health apps).

3.To ascertain the types of antenatal care information obtained through mobile phones among pregnant women.

4.To assess how mobile phone health information influences antenatal care practices among pregnant women attending Poly General Hospital.

Other parts of chapter one include:
1.4 Research Questions

1.5 Significance of the Study

1.6 Scope of the Study

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms

CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF LITERATURE (Preview)
This chapter critically examines relevant literature that would assist in explaining the research problem and, furthermore, recognizes the efforts of scholars who had previously contributed immensely to similar research. The chapter intends to deepen the understanding of the study and close the perceived gaps. This chapter therefore focuses on the concept of mobile phone health information, concept of antenatal care, sources of mobile phone health information used by pregnant women, types of antenatal care information obtained through mobile phones among pregnant women, etc. The chapter is sub-grouped into the following major headings:
Conceptual Review

Theoretical Framework

Empirical Review

Summary of Literature Review

CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY (Preview)
Presented below is a snapshot of key areas of the study methodology, the full and detail chapter three methodology is contained in the instant download document.

Research Design: The study adopted a quantitative research approach.

Population of the Study: The population of the study comprises pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic at Poly General Hospital.

Sample Size Determination: The study adopted the Taro Yamane formula to determine a sample size of 154 participants.

Sampling Technique: The study employed a multi-stage sampling technique involving stratified and convenience sampling methods to select the individual respondents.

Research Instrument: The study utilized a structured questionnaire as the instrument for data collection.

Methods of Data Analysis: The collected data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages to summarize and present the demographic characteristics of the respondents and their responses. The data were analyzed using SPSS, and the results were presented in tables, charts, and graphs.
Full outline for chapter three;
3.1 Research Design

3.2 Research Setting 

3.3 Population of the Study

3.4 Sample Size

3.5 Sampling Technique

3.6 Instrument for Data Collection

3.7 Validity of the Instrument

3.8 Reliability of the Instrument

3.9 Method Of Data Collection

3.10 Method of Data Analysis

3.11 Ethical Consideration

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS
MAJOR FINDINGS (Preview)
The analysis results were presented in tables and charts. Based on the results obtained from the analysis, the following major findings were made:

i. The study found that the level of access to mobile phone health information among pregnant women attending Poly General Hospital is moderate to high, as evidenced by a grand mean of 3.40, with item means ranging from 3.19 to 3.54, above the acceptance benchmark of 3.00. This implies that most pregnant women can obtain antenatal health information on their mobile phones, although poor internet connectivity remains a limiting factor.

ii. The study found that pregnant women use a variety of mobile phone sources for health information, as evidenced by a grand mean of 3.40, with item means ranging from 3.18 to 3.51, above the acceptance benchmark of 3.00. This implies that WhatsApp, Google, health applications and Facebook are used for health information, while SMS messages are the least useful source.

iii. The study found that pregnant women obtain a wide range of antenatal care information through their mobile phones, as evidenced by a grand mean of 3.44, with item means ranging from 3.31 to 3.54, above the acceptance benchmark of 3.00. This implies that nutrition, danger signs, clinic attendance, personal hygiene and childbirth preparation are covered, while information on medications and supplements is the least received.

iv. The study found that mobile phone health information positively influences antenatal care practices among the women, as evidenced by a grand mean of 3.46, with item means ranging from 3.40 to 3.53, above the acceptance benchmark of 3.00. This implies that the information encourages regular clinic attendance, prompt care-seeking and informed decision-making during pregnancy.

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
This chapter covers the following outline:

5.1 Discussion of Findings    

5.2 Implications of the findings

5.3 Limitations of the Study

5.4 Contributions to Knowledge 

5.5 Summary

5.6 Conclusion

5.7 Recommendations

5.8 Suggestions for Further Studies 

Reference
Appendix

UPLOADED BY MIRACLE