Examining the feasibility and acceptability of mobile based interactive 4 voice response system for delivering reproductive health messages in rural India

Background: Use of mobile-based technology in public health is rapidly expanding for dissemination of information and service monitoring. Present study examines the feasibility and acceptability of mobile based Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) on delivering reproductive health information among young married women (YMW) through ASHA. Methodology: Two Indian blocks selected for intervention due to their low reproductive health indicators. IVRS covered 220 ASHAs and around 1000 YMWs. The study analyses quantitative study among ASHA and YMW, 20 focus group discussions conducted after six months of intervention among ASHAs, YMW, pregnant women and lactating mothers. Additionally, MIS data findings also added. The data collected during 2016-2017 and analysis and manuscript writing conducted during 2018 and 2019. Results: All ASHAs (82) interviewed revealed that IVRS enhanced their existing knowledge and work efficiency on reproductive health. They reported that families of YMW rely more on them than before, as families equally access IVRS facility for their queries. Mostly YMW (25) showed their initial hesitation, as they were not accustomed with IVRS technology before, got habituated with the support of ASHA. MIS data suggest that the call rate increased more than 6 times from its launch during 15 months intervention period. It was witnessed that ASHAs mostly opted for pregnancy & delivery section where as YMW mostly opted for pre-conception care section. It was reported that information through entertainment section had five times more listener than general information sharing section. Women narrated the ease of getting information regarding contraceptive methods, menstruation issues 3 and care during pregnancy along with the care for children through IVRS. Nearly all the participants indicated that IVRS is of great use as it’s free of cost, available all the time and easily accessible