Improving pregnant women’s knowledge on danger signs and birth preparedness practices using an interactive mobile messaging alert system in Dodoma region, Tanzania: a controlled quasi experim

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Abstract 

Background: Unacceptably high maternal and perinatal mortality remains a major challenge in many low-income countries. Early detection and management of danger signs through improved access to maternal services are highly needed for better maternal and infant outcomes. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of an interactive mobile messaging alert system on improving knowledge on danger signs, birth preparedness, and complication readiness practices among pregnant women in Dodoma region, Tanzania. Methods: A controlled quasi-experimental study of 450 randomly selected pregnant women attending antenatal care was carried in Dodoma municipal. Participants were recruited at less than 20weeks of gestation during the first visit where 150 were assigned to the intervention and 300 to the control group. The intervention groups were enrolled in an interactive mobile messaging system and received health education messages and were also able to send and receive individualized responses on a need basis. The control group continued receiving the usual antenatal care services offered at the ANC centers. Pregnant women were followed from their initial visit to the point of delivery. Level of knowledge on danger signs and birth preparedness were assessed at baseline and a post test was again given after delivery for both groups. Analyses of covariance, linear regression were employed to test the effectiveness of the intervention. Results: The mean age of participants was 25.6years ranging from 16 to 48years. There was significant mean scores differences for both knowleadge and birth preparedness between the intervention and the control group after the intervention (p

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