Project – Effect of Mobile Health (mHealth) Interventions on Antenatal Care Compliance Among Pregnant Women in Rural Ekiti State

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Maternal health remains a critical public health issue in many developing countries, including Nigeria. Antenatal care (ANC) is a key intervention aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality by providing preventive, promotive, and curative services to pregnant women (World Health Organization [WHO], 2016). Despite the proven benefits of ANC, compliance with recommended visits is often low in rural communities due to barriers such as distance to health facilities, poor infrastructure, limited awareness, and socio-cultural factors (Obasola & Mabawonku, 2018).

Recent advances in technology have introduced mobile health (mHealth) interventions as innovative strategies to improve healthcare delivery. mHealth refers to the use of mobile phones and wireless technologies to support health objectives, including SMS reminders, mobile applications for health education, and teleconsultations (Free et al., 2013). In maternal health, mHealth interventions have shown potential in reminding pregnant women about clinic appointments, providing health education, and facilitating communication with healthcare providers (Lee et al., 2016).

Rural areas often face challenges of inadequate health personnel and poor access to healthcare facilities. mHealth has the potential to overcome these barriers by improving adherence to antenatal schedules and enhancing maternal knowledge, ultimately leading to better pregnancy outcomes (Agarwal et al., 2016). However, there is limited empirical evidence on the effect of mHealth interventions on antenatal care compliance among pregnant women in rural communities in Nigeria, particularly in Ekiti State, where maternal health indicators still lag behind national targets.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite government policies promoting free or subsidized maternal healthcare services, rural pregnant women in Ekiti State continue to face challenges in attending antenatal clinics regularly. Studies have shown that non-compliance with ANC schedules contributes significantly to maternal and neonatal complications, including preterm births, low birth weight, and maternal mortality (Olaniran et al., 2019).

While mHealth interventions have been piloted in some urban settings with promising results, rural areas in Nigeria remain largely underserved due to poor network coverage, low literacy levels, and limited awareness of digital health initiatives (Chib et al., 2015). Consequently, the potential benefits of mHealth in improving ANC compliance in rural Ekiti communities are not fully realized. There is therefore a need to investigate whether mobile health interventions can effectively increase antenatal care compliance among pregnant women in rural Ekiti State and to identify the extent to which such interventions influence maternal health behaviors.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The study seeks to achieve the following specific objectives:

1. To determine the effect of mHealth interventions on antenatal care compliance among pregnant women in rural Ekiti State.

2. To assess the impact of mHealth interventions on pregnant women’s knowledge of maternal health in rural Ekiti State.

3. To identify the barriers to effective utilization of mHealth interventions among pregnant women in rural Ekiti State.

4. To evaluate the relationship between mHealth interventions and maternal health outcomes in rural Ekiti State.

1.4 Research Questions

The study seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What is the effect of mHealth interventions on antenatal care compliance among pregnant women in rural Ekiti State?

2. How do mHealth interventions affect pregnant women’s knowledge of maternal health in rural Ekiti State?

3. What are the barriers to effective utilization of mHealth interventions among pregnant women in rural Ekiti State?

4. What is the relationship between mHealth interventions and maternal health outcomes in rural Ekiti State?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The following hypothesis will be tested at 0.05 level of significance:

H₀: Mobile health (mHealth) interventions have no significant effect on antenatal care compliance among pregnant women in rural Ekiti State.

H1: Mobile health (mHealth) interventions have a significant effect on antenatal care compliance among pregnant women in rural Ekiti State.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will be significant in several ways:

• Healthcare providers can use the results to improve strategies for increasing ANC attendance through mobile technology.

• Policymakers and health program implementers can design effective mHealth interventions tailored to rural communities, considering barriers such as literacy and network coverage.

• Pregnant women will benefit from improved access to health education, reminders, and support, enhancing compliance with recommended antenatal visits.

• Researchers will gain empirical evidence on the effectiveness of mHealth interventions in rural Nigerian settings, providing a foundation for further studies on digital health innovations.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study is limited to pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in selected rural communities of Ekiti State. The focus is on mobile health interventions such as SMS reminders, health education apps, and teleconsultations, and their effect on ANC compliance and maternal health knowledge. The study does not cover urban areas or private healthcare facilities.

Project – Effect of Mobile Health (mHealth) Interventions on Antenatal Care Compliance Among Pregnant Women in Rural Ekiti State