Midwives' cell phone use and health knowledge in rural communities

• Main Authors: Chib, Arul, Lee, Seungyoon, Kim, Jeong-Nam
• Other Authors: Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Communication
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/100894; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/18212
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This study developed and tested a theoretical model that explains the underlying process through which the use of mobile phones can facilitate the capacity of community healthcare workers (CHWs) in developing regions. Based on a study conducted on 223 midwives in rural regions of Indonesia, the results showed that mobile phone use was positively associated with midwives’ access to institutional and peer resources. Access to institutional resources was associated with midwives’ health knowledge. Further, access to peer resources was associated with higher self-efficacy beliefs, which was positively associated with health knowledge. The study provides implications for information and communication technology (ICT) intervention strategies targeted to community health workers in rural communities.