Barriers to effective utilization of mobile health initiatives in the timely initiation of antenatal care among mothers living with HIV/AIDS in Kamuli district.   A cross-sectional study.

Alan  Bogere; Kizito Omona

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i4.2571

Authors

Alan Bogere Uganda Martyrs University
Kizito Omona Faculty of Health Sciences, Uganda Martyrs University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v7i4.2571

Keywords:

Mobile health (mHealth), Antenatal care, HIV/AIDS, Pregnant women, Timely ANC initiation, Maternal health, Kamuli District

Abstract

Background:

Mobile health (mHealth) initiatives have shown significant promise in improving antenatal care (ANC) uptake among pregnant women living with HIV (PWLHIV). This study examined the barriers to effective utilization of mHealth initiatives in the timely initiation of ANC among mothers living with HIV/AIDS in Kamuli District, Uganda.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional phenomenological qualitative design was adopted. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 10–15 pregnant women living with HIV and 5 key informant health workers from health facilities implementing mHealth initiatives in Kamuli District. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and key informant interviews using a structured interview guide. Interviews lasting 45–60 minutes were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using Atlas. TI software, following both deductive and inductive approaches.

Results:

Most respondents were aged 25–30 years (40%), farmers/peasants (35%), and had attained primary education (40%). Seven key themes emerged as barriers to mHealth effectiveness: technological and network barriers, including poor connectivity and lack of compatible devices; privacy and confidentiality concerns regarding HIV status exposure; cultural beliefs conflicting with digital health adoption; financial constraints limiting access to data and smartphones; stigma and fear of HIV disclosure discouraging digital engagement; misinformation about mHealth and ANC services; and competing priorities and time constraints that reduced participants' capacity to engage with mHealth platforms.

Conclusion:

Despite the potential of mHealth to promote early ANC initiation among PWLHIV, its effectiveness in Kamuli District is significantly undermined by technological, socio-cultural, financial, and privacy-related barriers that collectively reduce uptake and engagement.

Recommendations:

Stakeholders should invest in rural network infrastructure, subsidize mobile data for PWLHIV, enforce robust data privacy regulations, design culturally sensitive and locally contextualized mHealth content, and integrate community-based approaches involving village health teams and local leaders to enhance mHealth reach and acceptability.

Author Biographies

Alan Bogere, Uganda Martyrs University

is a student of degree Of Master of Science in Health Service Management at Uganda Martyrs University.

Kizito Omona , Faculty of Health Sciences, Uganda Martyrs University

is a research supervisor at Uganda Martyrs University

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