Willingness to Use Mobile based e-Partograph and Associated Factors among Care Providers in North Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: The proper use of Partograph supports to capture key maternal and fetal data. Paper-based Partograph are prone to error, incompleteness, delayed decisions and loss of clients’ information. Electronic (e-Partograph) enables to easily retain and retrieve client data to ensure quality of care. Mobile technologies found an opportunity for resource-limited countries to improve access and quality of health care. Evidences were lacking on end users’ acceptance to e-Partograph. Objective: This study aimed to assess obstetric care providers’ willingness to use mobile based e-Partograph and its associated factors. Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 30, 2016 to January 21, 2017. A total 466 obstetric care providers were selected using multistage sampling technique in North Gondar Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data were entered in to Epi info version 7 and analyzed by using SPSS version 20. Cronbach’s Alpha test was calculated to evaluate the reliability of data. A multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to identify factors associated with dependent variable. Adjusted odds ratio with 95%CI was used to determine the presence of association. Results: The study found that 460(99.6%) of care providers owned mobile phone. Smartphone owners accounted only 102(22%). Of them, 205(46%) were willing to use mobile-phone for e-Partograph. Care providers aged >30 years (AOR=2.85, 95% C.I: 1.34-6.05), medical doctors and higher level clinicians (AOR=8.35, 95% C.I: 2.07-33.63), Health Center (AOR=4.41, 95% C.I:0.10-9.26), favorable attitude towards Partograph (AOR=2.76, 95% C.I: 1.49-5.09) and related in-service trainings (AOR=7.63, 95% C.I: 3.96-14.69) were enabling factors for willingness to use mobile phone. Conclusions: Almost all obstetric care providers had access to mobile phone, however; smartphone ownership is still low. Willingness to use mobile-phone for e-Partograph was low. Younger aged, lower level clinicians, Hospital based workers, unfavorable attitude on Partograph and lack of in-service trainings were main factors for non-willingness. Hence awareness creation on partograph use and digital capacity building are crucial for effective e-partograph management.