Women’s attitudes and perceptions on using a new electronic fetal heart rate monitor during labor in Tanzania
Loading...
Date
2018
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Abstract
To increase labor monitoring and prevent neonatal morbidity and mortality, a new wireless, strap-on electronic fetal heart rate monitor called Moyo was introduced in Tanzania in 2016. As part of the ongoing evaluation of the introduction of the monitor, the aim of this study was to explore the attitudes and perceptions of women who had worn the monitor continuously during their most recent delivery and perceptions about how it affected care. This knowledge is important to identify barriers towards adaptation in order to introduce new technology more effectively. We carried out 20 semi-structured individual interviews post-labor at two hospitals in Tanzania. A thematic content analysis was used to analyze the data. Our results indicated that the use of the monitor positively affected the women’s birth experience. It provided much-needed reassurance about the wellbeing of the child. The women considered that wearing Moyo improved care due to an increase in communication and attention from birth attendants. However, the women did not fully understand the purpose and function of the device and overestimated its capabilities. This highlights the need to improve how and when information is conveyed to women in labor.
Description
Keywords
Tanzania, Low-resource setting, Labor care
Citation
Rivenes Lafontan, S., Sundby, J., Ersdal, H.L., Abeid, M., Kidanto, H.L. and Mbekenga, C.K., 2018. “I was relieved to know that my baby was safe”: Women’s attitudes and perceptions on using a New Electronic Fetal Heart Rate Monitor during Labor in Tanzania. International journal of environmental research and public health, 15(2), p.302.