PRESENTED BY NALUGYA ESTHER PROGRAM OFFICER- UNHCO ACTION RESEARCH ON ICT USE

OBJECTIVES OF THE ACTION RESEARCH Overall objective: To examine the determinants of ICT use by community memebers to improve health care. Specific Objectives:  To establish the factors that motivate communities to use the UNHCO SMS platform for their health complaints and compliments.  To examine the limitations community members face in using the SMS platform to improve health. Scope:  This was carried out in the districts of Lyantonde, Luweero and Kamuli.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS  What factors motivate communities to use the UNHCO SMS platform for their health complaints and compliments..  What factors demotivate communities in using the UNHCO SMS platform for their health complaints and compliments.  What other health related platforms do you know of and how do they operate.

Methodology The overall sample size for the study was the sub counties in each of the districts Then simple random sampling was employed in the to select Villages for the study The inclusion and exclusion criteria was used in the selection of respondents on the basis of;  Age above 15 years. The main source of information was Focus Group Discussions 4 villages were selected in each sub county. Since the study was qualitative, data underwent content analysis.

Findings. The platform is known for sending messages on nutrition, ANC, immunization, rights and responsibilities. We also send question and get responses. Increased information sharing between men and their wives; improvement in male involvement. The leading motivating factors for ICT use;  The need to get more informative and educative messages  Lobby for rights observation  Avenue to report rights abuses.  Promotes community information sharing.

Findings cont’d The demotivating factors from the findings were;  Phone illiteracy  Lack of mobile phones especially on the side of women  Fear of being charged for sending messages  Network challenges  Lack of sensitization about the platform  Receiving a lot of messages.

Other Health Related Plat forms. The other plat forms mentioned were UNICEF, MTN health, Ureport and The UNICEF platform is inclined on to children’s rights Ureport just sends questions and the community responds so there’s a gap in awareness.

Community suggestions for improvement. Increase grass root mobilization about the platform by the VHTs. Use of community radios Rapid response to community issues. Carry out drama performance in that regard Creation of a toll free line to ease reporting of community health issues. Increase the number of VHTs within the sub counties.

Suggestions cont’d There should be reward system for participants. Creation of literate groups that can work with the illiterate. Work with community leaders for increased mobilization and participation.

Actions taken Increased use of audio messages than text messages Work with the district leadership for lobby and responding to question sent on the platform  To promote ownership and sustainability  Generate community driven actions. Community ICT led dialogues  Information is used by VHTs to carry out sensitization meetings  Information sharing among those with and without phones through informal groups. Continued re-orientation of VHTs to address the rising ICT challenges. Rewarding of participants to encourage participation

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