Effect of Mobile Health Reminders on Antimalarial Adherence among Pregnant Women in Rural Uganda: A Randomized Controlled Trial
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Date
2025
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Research Output Journal f Engineering and Scientific Research
Abstract
Malaria in pregnancy remains a critical public health issue in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Uganda, where adherence to intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) is persistently low. Poor adherence contributes to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, necessitating innovative solutions to enhance antimalarial prophylaxis. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions, such as SMS and voice call reminders, have emerged as promising tools to support treatment adherence in low-resource settings. This review evaluated the effect of mobile health reminders on antimalarial adherence among pregnant women in rural Uganda, drawing evidence from a randomized controlled trial involving 600 participants. The trial compared standard antenatal care with an intervention group receiving scheduled mobile reminders before each IPTp-SP dose. Findings revealed a significant improvement in adherence, with 72% of women in the intervention group completing three or more IPTp-SP doses versus 49% in the control group. Improved antenatal attendance, higher maternal hemoglobin levels at delivery, and high user satisfaction were also observed. The article was developed using a structured literature synthesis method focused on trial-based findings and contextual analysis. Despite challenges related to phone access, network coverage, and message delivery, the intervention demonstrated feasibility, scalability, and acceptability. This review underscored the potential of mHealth to enhance malaria prevention efforts in maternal healthcare programs.