Introduction

In Ethiopia, though institutional delivery has increased three-fold during 2011 and 2016, the coverage of postpartum care remained low. The Ethiopian DHS shows high fall out rates across the continuum of maternal and newborn care¾while 62% of pregnant women received antenatal care (ANC) and 28% delivered assisted by skilled person, only 17% received postnatal care (PNC) within 48 hours.

Methods

We have developed and implemented innovative CommCare based mobile application primarily to improve PNC at four districts of Ethiopia. Over the past 12 months, HEWs, midwifes and HEWs supervisor were trained, application developed and tested to register pregnant women to provide continuum of care. The system automatically flags, sends and receive notification, date of appointments and referral feedbacks about the clients.

Findings

Users were trained on the app and able to demonstrate how to log in, connect mobile data and sync the device. Users described CommCare as a very useful tool that helped them to improve linkage among facilities, exchange information timely, deliver quality service, and trace defaulters.

Most users used the app for providing and recording ANC, delivery and PNC services, sending referrals and receiving notifications. However, there were substantial late clients in users’ app.

Network interruption, fear of loss or damage of device, inadequate mobile device to use across multiple services delivery points, and poor support were some of the challenges they experienced.

Interpretation

The app is found to be user-friendly and it helped users to provide timely care. Users need continuous support and motivation to improve performance. Moreover, availing adequate devices including mobile and solar charger are critical

Conclusion and recommendation

Users have positive feeling for the mobile application and they recommended to be scale up for to improve service delivery and on time information sharing.  Strengthening support and follow up system integration with the routine monitoring system of the health system and regular performance review and feedback systems and infrastructural set ups like power source and internet connection reported to be address prior to scale the application.

Authors: Zeleke  Yimechew(Presenter) , Gizachew Tadele, Ali Kerim, Nebreed Fisiha, Wuleta Betemariam