The use of mobile phone for seeking health care service or advice among
women in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study
Abstract
Objectives- The aim of this study is to identify socio-demographic and
the use of basic maternal health care services associated with mobile
use to receive health care services (antenatal care, transport in the
facility and postnatal care for mother and newborn). Design– This a
cross-sectional study Setting- Data were collected from eight districts
in Bangladesh- Barishal, Chattogram, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna,
Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Sylhet by Bangladesh Demographic and Health
Survey (BDHS) 2014 Sample- 4494 women aged 14-49 with children were
involved in the research. Methods-Data were collected using
questionnaire. Models of logistic regression were used for association
determination. Results- The total woman using the mobile phone was
reported 22.23%. Among those 29.9% using the mobile phone to obtain
health service or advice and 70.1% did not obtain health information.
Women who had higher education with a mobile phone to received more
health care (secondary and higher: OR=1.922, 95%CI=1.225-3.014;
primary: OR=1.982, 95%CI=1.738-2.654), socio-economic status (rich:
OR=1.228, 95%CI=1.009-1.494; middle: OR=1.691, 95%CI=1.256-2.333),
prenatal care (yes: OR=1.993, 95%CI=1.425-1.987), antenatal care (yes:
OR=1.951, 95%CI=1.765-1.998) and after delivery to check up health
status (yes: OR=1.966, 95%CI=1.639-2.357). Conclusions– The results of
this study showed that women who have completed higher education,
high-income families, young age groups, residence in urban areas are
more likely to use mobile phones to receive health care facilities in
Bangladesh. Intervention studies are essential for recognizing the
instrument by which mobile phone-based facility improves maternal health
care application.