Journal Article Summary
The article investigates the effectiveness of Kilkari, a mobile health messaging program in rural Madhya Pradesh, India, aimed at improving family planning and infant feeding practices among pregnant and postpartum women. This topic is significant because inadequate infant feeding practices and low contraceptive use contribute to high rates of morbidity and mortality in children and mothers. Despite Kilkari's potential to reach millions through mobile technology, the study found that while it increased the use of modern contraceptives, it did not significantly change infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices.
The researchers conducted qualitative interviews with 29 mothers and 25 family members to understand how Kilkari messages were received and interpreted. They discovered that women who owned their phones were the primary listeners, but many messages were often picked up by husbands, who rarely discussed the content with their wives. Participants tended to remember and appreciate messages that aligned with their existing beliefs and practices, while they overlooked or dismissed messages that contradicted their norms, such as those promoting exclusive breastfeeding or modern contraceptive methods.
The study has limitations, including a lack of engagement from family members beyond the immediate listeners and potential comprehension issues with the messages due to language barriers. For patient safety, it is crucial for individuals to discuss any health recommendations they receive from mobile messaging programs with healthcare professionals, especially when it comes to family planning and child nutrition. Readers should consider the importance of face-to-face communication with health workers to reinforce and clarify the information provided through digital platforms like Kilkari.
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Article Cited
- Scott Kerry, Ummer Osama, Shinde Aashaka, Sharma Manjula, Yadav Shalini, Jairath Anushree, Purty Nikita, Shah Neha, et al.. Another voice in the crowd: the challenge of changing family planning and child feeding practices through mHealth messaging in rural central India. BMJ Global Health 2021. DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005868. PMID: 34312156. PMCID: PMC8327813.
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