How WhatsApp is transforming health communication among frontline health workers: a mixed-method study among midwives in India.

Q2 Social Sciences

Journal of Communication in Healthcare Pub Date : 2023-10-01 Epub Date: 2023-03-21 DOI:10.1080/17538068.2023.2189376

Devaganesh Kadhuluri, Sibasis Hense, Prakash Babu Kodali, Kavumpurathu Raman Thankappan

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Limited literature exists in India on WhatsApp use for health communication among frontline health workers like Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM). We conducted this study to assess the adoption of WhatsApp among ANMs and identify factors influencing its adoption. In addition, the study explored the perceptions of ANMs on WhatsApp use for sharing health information.

Methods: We employed a mixed-method sequential explanatory design. We surveyed 259 ANMs, followed by in-depth interviews with 19 purposively sampled ANMs. We conducted multinomial logistic regression to identify factors associated with WhatsApp adoption and employed thematic analysis to analyze interviews.

Results: 257 ANMs responded to the survey questionnaire, of which 18.3%, 48.2%, and 33.5% had low, mid, and high levels of WhatsApp adoption, respectively. Education (AOR = 2.87 [95% CI = 1.20-6.85]), motivation (AOR = 6.31 [95% CI = 1.43-27.80]), and technical awareness (AOR = 2.91 [95% CI = 1.11-7.62]) were significantly associated with WhatsApp adoption. Thematic analysis of the interviews resulted in six themes describing perceptions and experiences of ANMs on WhatsApp use. They are: (i) a way of instant communication, (ii) provision for multimedia messaging, (iii) a quick fix tool for queries and concerns, (iv) make attendance and reporting easy (v) a way of reaching higher officials, and (vi) a cost-saving mechanism.

Conclusion: WhatsApp facilitated ANMs' communication and service delivery at the grassroots level. Measures to improve motivation, technical awareness, and digital education will likely improve WhatsApp adoption among health workers.

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WhatsApp如何改变一线卫生工作者之间的健康沟通：一项针对印度助产士的混合方法研究。

背景：印度关于WhatsApp在助产士辅助护士（ANM）等一线卫生工作者中用于健康交流的文献有限。我们进行了这项研究，以评估ANM对WhatsApp的采用情况，并确定影响其采用的因素。此外，该研究还探讨了ANM对WhatsApp用于共享健康信息的看法。方法：采用混合法顺序解释设计。我们调查了259名ANM，随后对19名有针对性的抽样ANM进行了深入访谈。我们进行了多项逻辑回归来确定与WhatsApp采用相关的因素，并采用主题分析来分析访谈。结果：257名ANM对调查问卷做出了回应，其中18.3%、48.2%和33.5%的ANM对WhatsApp的采用率分别为低、中、高。教育（AOR = 2.87[95%CI = 1.20-6.85]）、动机（AOR = 6.31[95%CI = 1.43-27.80]）和技术意识（AOR = 2.91[95%CI = 1.11-7.62]）与WhatsApp的采用显著相关。对采访的主题分析得出了六个主题，描述了ANM对WhatsApp使用的看法和体验。它们是：（i）一种即时通信方式，（ii）提供多媒体信息，（iii）一种快速解决问题的工具，（iv）使出席和报告变得容易，（v）一种联系高级官员的方式，以及（vi）一种节省成本的机制。结论：WhatsApp促进了ANM在基层的沟通和服务提供。提高动机、技术意识和数字教育的措施可能会提高卫生工作者对WhatsApp的采用率。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Communication in Healthcare Social Sciences-Communication

CiteScore

2.90

自引率

0.00%

发文量