EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF MOBILE HEALTH (mHEALTH) APPLICATIONS ON MATERNAL HEALTH IN RURAL KADUNA STATE

EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF MOBILE HEALTH (mHEALTH) APPLICATIONS ON MATERNAL HEALTH IN RURAL KADUNA STATE

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Maternal health remains a central concern in global public health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to quality maternal care is constrained by systemic barriers such as poor infrastructure, lack of skilled healthcare workers, and limited health education. In Nigeria, maternal mortality rates remain among the highest globally, with the northern regions including Kaduna State bearing a disproportionate burden. According to the World Health Organization (2020), Nigeria accounts for nearly 20% of global maternal deaths, largely due to preventable causes such as hemorrhage, infection, obstructed labor, and hypertensive disorders. These challenges are exacerbated in rural communities where health services are sparse and cultural practices may discourage facility-based care (NPC & ICF, 2019).

Mobile health (mHealth) applications offer promising innovations in addressing maternal health challenges by providing timely information, improving communication between pregnant women and healthcare providers, and facilitating remote monitoring. These digital tools, accessible via mobile phones, support antenatal and postnatal care by delivering health reminders, promoting health-seeking behaviors, and offering emergency response systems. In Nigeria, mHealth interventions are increasingly being adopted by public health authorities and non-governmental organizations to bridge the information and service gap, particularly in underserved rural areas (Adanikin, Awoleke, & Adeyanju, 2020).

Despite the rising implementation of mHealth platforms such as SMS alerts for antenatal care appointments, mobile diagnostic tools, and maternal helplines, their impact on actual maternal health outcomes remains under-researched. Questions persist regarding the accessibility, usability, cultural appropriateness, and sustainability of these platforms, especially in rural regions with low digital literacy, limited smartphone penetration, and erratic power supply. Moreover, few empirical studies have been conducted in rural areas of Kaduna State, where maternal mortality remains high and mobile health technology is still at a nascent stage.

This study seeks to evaluate the extent to which mHealth applications have influenced maternal health in rural Kaduna State. It aims to assess not only the availability and usage of these technologies but also their effectiveness in improving health-seeking behavior, service utilization, and maternal outcomes among pregnant and postpartum women. As Nigeria strives to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3 (good health and well-being), the study offers timely insights into the potential and limitations of digital health innovation in maternal care.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite efforts to reduce maternal mortality, rural Kaduna State continues to record high rates of maternal deaths due to delays in seeking care, poor access to health services, and limited knowledge of pregnancy-related complications. While mobile health technologies have been introduced to mitigate these challenges, their actual impact on maternal health indicators remains unclear. Key issues include inconsistent access to mobile devices among rural women, low literacy levels, poor network coverage, and inadequate training of healthcare providers in digital tools.

Although several pilot mHealth initiatives exist, there is little empirical evidence on their adoption, effectiveness, and influence on maternal health behaviors in rural communities. Furthermore, the sociocultural context—such as gender norms and decision-making dynamics—affects whether women can access and benefit from these technologies. Without a thorough evaluation of how mHealth interventions are implemented and received in Kaduna’s rural settings, policy-makers and stakeholders lack the necessary data to scale or redesign digital health solutions. This study, therefore, addresses a critical gap by evaluating the real-world impact of mHealth applications on maternal health outcomes in rural Kaduna State.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

To examine the extent of mHealth application usage among pregnant and postpartum women in rural Kaduna State.

To evaluate the impact of mHealth tools on maternal health-seeking behavior and service utilization.

To identify challenges affecting the effective implementation and adoption of mHealth applications in the study area.

1.4 Research Questions

How frequently are mHealth applications used by pregnant women in rural Kaduna State?

What impact do mHealth tools have on maternal health service uptake and outcomes?

What are the key barriers to the effective use of mHealth technologies in rural maternal health?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

H0₁: There is no significant relationship between mHealth application usage and maternal health-seeking behavior in rural Kaduna State.

H0₂: mHealth applications have no significant effect on the utilization of maternal health services in rural Kaduna State.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study is significant to health policymakers, digital health innovators, public health practitioners, and development agencies aiming to improve maternal health outcomes through technology. It provides empirical evidence on the practical benefits and limitations of mHealth in rural Nigeria, informing future investment and policy formulation. It also contributes to the academic discourse on digital inclusion in maternal health and offers insights for scaling up mobile health initiatives in similar socio-economic and geographic contexts.

1.7 Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study focuses on rural communities within Kaduna State and examines the usage, effectiveness, and challenges of mHealth applications in maternal care. Limitations may include access to accurate data from rural women, variation in mobile device usage across communities, and potential recall bias during interviews or surveys. The study does not cover urban areas or evaluate hospital-based electronic systems.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

mHealth Applications: Mobile-based technologies used to deliver health-related services and information, particularly through SMS, apps, or voice calls.

Maternal Health: The health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.

Rural Kaduna State: Communities in Kaduna State with limited urban infrastructure and healthcare access, forming the geographic focus of this study.

Health-Seeking Behavior: Actions taken by individuals to maintain or improve their health, including accessing professional maternal care.

1.9 Structure of the Study

This dissertation is structured into five chapters. Chapter One introduces the study. Chapter Two presents the review of relevant literature and theoretical frameworks. Chapter Three details the research methodology. Chapter Four contains the data analysis and discussion. Chapter Five concludes the study with recommendations and suggestions for further research.

References

Adanikin, A. I., Awoleke, J. O., & Adeyanju, O. A. (2020). Impact of mobile health messages on maternal health in rural Nigeria: Evidence from a randomized trial. Journal of Public Health in Africa, 11(2), 118–124.

Federal Republic of Nigeria. (2019). Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). National Population Commission and ICF.

World Health Organization. (2020). Trends in maternal mortality 2000 to 2017: Estimates by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group and the United Nations Population Division.

NPC & ICF. (2019). Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey 2018. Abuja, Nigeria, and Rockville, Maryland, USA: NPC and ICF.