Background With the region’s highest population growth rate (30%), Uganda is on the brink of a population explosion, yet access to and utilization of public health control measures like modern contraception is a challenge. This is due to remotely located health facilities, noncustomized health content, and poor or nonfunctional post-facility follow-up. Objective The aim of our study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth engagement platform primarily targeting men; the platform provided behavioral and informational messaging on modern contraception (ie, family planning) and its impact on shaping sexual and reproductive health and knowledge and uptake of family planning services. Methods A longitudinal cohort of men aged 18 years and older gave consent to receive mobile phone messages on family planning; follow-up was performed at months 1, 4, and 6 to assess key study-related outcomes on knowledge transfer and acquisition on modern contraception, partner communication, and spousal uptake of family planning. Qualitative interviews with the study participants’ spouses were also performed. Results The study included 551 study participants, 450 of whom were men, the primary study participants, who received the family planning mobile messages and 101 of whom were their spouses. Of the 450 primary participants, 426 (95%) successfully received the messages and only 24 (5%) reported not receiving them. The average response (ie, participation) rate in weekly quizzes was 23%. There was a noted 18.1% increase in couple communication attributed to the intervention; couples opened up more to each other on matters concerning family planning. Conclusions Using digital channels to address the concerns and inquiries of participants in real time or as fast as possible helped to increase the likelihood that couples adopted family planning.
Background: Mental health problems contribute to a substantial proportion of the global burden of disease. In Uganda, the World Health Organization estimates that 2.2 million people are affected by mental health disorders. Further research is needed to highlight people’s views about mental health in order to ensure that services are appropriate, accessible and effective.Aim: This qualitative study aimed to explore perceptions, experiences and care-seeking preferences to inform stakeholders looking to provide contextually appropriate mental health programmes.Setting: A diverse neighbourhood in central Kampala, Uganda.Methods: The authors conducted 56 in-depth semi-structured interviews with people over the age of 37 years from November 2018 to May 2019.Results: Participants discussed interpersonal and systemic issues that affect mental health in their community and the existing coping mechanisms that people employ. Social factors were often associated with mental health problems, with 36% of participants attributing them to economic stressors in particular. Mental health services were often perceived to be unavailable, costly or stigmatised, which can mean that care-seeking is delayed until problems become severe. Some people said they prefer to turn to prayer (25%) or counselling within their family or community (12.5%).Conclusion: Mental health problems are often attributed to socioeconomic factors, which can also hinder access to services. An understanding of perceptions about mental health can help to align programmes for appropriateness and effectiveness. Our study suggests that beneficial additional services for people living in low-income urban settings in Uganda could include those which are free, community-based or offering financial support.
BACKGROUND With the region’s highest population growth rate (30%), Uganda is at the brick of a population explosion yet access and utilization of the public health control measures like modern contraception is a challenge. This is premised on the remotely located health facilities, non-customized health content and poor or non-functional post facility follow-up. OBJECTIVE The aim of our study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth engagement platform targeting primarily men with behavioral and informational messaging on modern contraception (family planning) and its impact on shaping their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge and uptake of family planning services METHODS A longitudinal cohort of men aged 18 years and above were consented to receive mobile messages on family planning and followed up at month 1,4 and 6 to assess key study related outcomes on knowledge transfer and acquisition on modern contraception, partner communication and spouse uptake of family planning. RESULTS Out of the 450 males (primary study participants) onboarded onto the FP mobile messages, 426 (95%) successfully received the messages and only 24 reported not to have received the mobile health content. The average response (participation) rate to the weekly quizzes was 23% for periodic quizzes. There was a noted 18.1% increment in couple communication attributed to the mTIP and couples opened more about each other on matters concerning family planning. CONCLUSIONS Availing channels to address beneficiaries’ concerns and inquiries in real-time or as fast as possible help to increase likelihood for adoption of family planning among couples.
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