Impact of mobile phone short messaging service (SMS) intervention on antenatal and delivery care in Bangladesh: a cluster-randomized controlled trial

2020 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K17551
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 58070:Lifelong developmental nursing-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Rahman Mizanur 東京大学, 大学院医学系研究科(医学部), 助教 (10726433)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: mobile health / facility delivery / ANC visits

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Antenatal care (ANC) can be defined as the care provided by skilled health-care professionals to pregnant women and adolescent girls to ensure the best health conditions for both mother and baby during pregnancy. Receiving four ANC visits and institutional delivery are predetermined factors for maternal and child health outcomes during pregnancy. This project is interconnect the two sectors of public health/medicine and technology, and exchange knowledge and attitudes between professionals, private and public sectors, and pregnant women to enhance collaboration and mutual understanding. As compared to control group, the text messages had limited effect on the use of ANC visits and facility delivery.

Free Research Field

Maternal and child health

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

As compared other studies, our study found less impact of SMS on ANC and facility delivery. The possible reason for this variation could be COVID-19. Our study conducted during the COVID-19 crisis, many pregnant women don't like to visit health facilities to avoid infection. Further study necessary.