SMS-based family planning communication and its association with modern contraception and maternal healthcare use in selected low-middle-income countries

Abstract

Background The objectives of this study were to 1) measure the percentage of women who received SMS-based family planning communication, and 2) its association with modern contraception and maternal healthcare services among mothers. In recent years, there has been a growing interest surrounding mobile phone-based health communication and service delivery methods especially in the areas of family planning and reproductive health. However, little is known regarding the role of SMS-based family planning communication on the utilisation of modern contraception and maternal healthcare services in low-resource settings. Methods Cross-sectional data on 94,675 mothers (15–49 years) were collected from the latest Demographic and Health Surveys in 14 low-and-middle-income countries. The outcome variables were self-reported use of modern contraception and basic maternal healthcare services (timely and adequate use of antenatal care, and of facility delivery services). Data were analysed using multivariate regression and random effect meta-analyses. Results The coverage of SMS-based family planning communication for the pooled sample was 5.4% (95%CI = 3.71, 7.21), and was slightly higher in Africa (6.04, 95%CI = 3.38, 8.70) compared with Asia (5.23, 95%CI = 1.60, 8.86). Among the countries from sub-Saharan Africa, Malawi (11.92, 95%CI = 11.17, 12.70) had the highest percent of receiving SMS while Senegal (1.24, 95%CI = 1.00, 1.53) had the lowest. In the multivariate analysis, SMS communication shown significant association with the use of facility delivery only (2.22 (95%CI = 1.95, 2.83). The strength of the association was highest for Senegal (OR = 4.70, 95%CI = 1.14, 7.33) and lowest for Burundi (OR = 1.5; 95%CI = 1.01, 2.74). Meta analyses revealed moderate heterogeneity both in the prevalence and the association between SMS communication and the utilisation of facility delivery. Conclusion Although positively associated with using facility delivery services, receiving SMS on family planning does not appear to affect modern contraceptive use and other components of maternal healthcare services such as timely and adequate utilisation of antenatal care.

Association between media exposure and family planning in Myanmar and Philippines: evidence from nationally representative survey data

“…However, 12% of women have an unmet need for family planning, which has declined from 22% in 1970 [ 3 , 4 ]. A study suggests that the SMS-based communication coverage regarding family planning is higher in Africa than Asia [ 5 ]. However, the percentage in terms of contraceptive use in Central and West Africa is very low (25%) and in Asia, the rate is 66.4%, which is considered low compared to Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore [ 6 – 8 ].…”

Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of cell phone interventions to improve the use of family planning services among women in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

“…Finally, 16 studies were selected and used for this review. 1,18,[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Metaanalyses (PRISMA) flow diagram was used to report the study selection process (Fig. 1).…”

“…Of the 16 papers, ten (10) described programs in Kenya, 1,17,[23][24][25][26]29,31,32,34 2 in Malawi, 33,35 and 1 in Ghana (18), Uganda, 27 Nigeria, 28 Tanzania. 30 Each paper reported different outcomes and/or study periods.…”

“…The most common factor identified was outcome expectancy (n=12). 1,18,[22][23][24][26][27][28][29]32,33 Most women valued mHealth and described it as useful in helping to dispel myths and misconceptions, setting realistic expectations about potential side effects of FP and maintaining confidentiality. Indeed, mobile health could be considered a cost-effective tool for improve+ng family planning knowledge.…”

“…21 Several interventions have been implemented to assess whether mHealth technologies could be used to help reduce unmet contraceptive needs in SubSaharan Africa by attempting to increase the use of family planning services. 1,18,[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] In recent years, there has been an increased amount of research on the potential of mHealth for women's SRH services in SSA. However, little evidence exists on cell phone interventions to improve women's use of FP services in SSA.…”