Culturally Appropriate Behavioral Change in Maternal Health: Role of Mobile and Online Technologies Over Time

Abstract

A major challenge in global health is improving newborn and maternal health. A variety of economic, geopolitical, socio-cultural, and technical factors are involved. Online and mobile technologies hold the potential to improve maternal and newborn health by supporting access to education, improving coordinated care, and facilitating patient support. These online and mobile systems have been designed to address a variety of maternal and newborn health outcomes, including: increasing antenatal care attendance; cessation of unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking and drinking alcohol; and increasing vaccination rates of newborns. The success of these systems, however, is very much dependent on how-and whether-they can effect behavioral changes in culturally appropriate ways. This chapter reviews the design of these systems in both developed and developing countries, the technologies and behavioral frameworks used, and the evaluation outcomes. The acceptance of these new patient support networks requires the trust of patients and healthcare providers. Hence, this chapter also reviews the evolution of these systems, and the potential benefits of, and challenges for, their sustained operation.