The goal of this study is to evaluate the integration of a symptom checker (SC) into the MomConnect (MC) platform to support maternal healthcare in South Africa. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the SC provide safe and appropriate medical advice? * Does the SC help mothers make informed decisions about when and where to seek healthcare, saving time and money by avoiding unnecessary visits? * Does the SC improve access to care for those facing significant healthcare barriers? Participants will answer survey questions before and after using the SC. A subset of participants will also be invited to participate in structured telephone interviews. The study will help researchers assess the SC's impact on healthcare decisions and resource use in South Africa.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
968
Reach Digital Health (formerly Praekelt.org)
Cape Town, South Africa
Proportion of appropriate advice by the SC for mother and child
Time frame: From data collection with participant enrolment to the completion of panel ratings, approximately 2-3 months after participant enrolment.
Proportion of safe advice by the SC for mother and child
Time frame: From data collection with participant enrolment to the completion of panel ratings, approximately 2-3 months after participant enrolment.
Potential prevention of a health problem in Perinatal Period for Mother or Child
Time frame: From data collection with participant enrolment to the completion of panel ratings, approximately 2-3 months after participant enrolment.
Potential prevention of a SEVERE health problem in Perinatal Period for Mother or Child
Time frame: From data collection with participant enrolment to the completion of panel ratings, approximately 2-3 months after participant enrolment.
Potential Occurrence of a health problem (adverse event) in Perinatal Period for Mother and Child
Time frame: From data collection with participant enrolment to the completion of panel ratings, approximately 2-3 months after participant enrolment.
Potential Occurrence of a SEVERE health problem (severe adverse event) in Perinatal Period for Mother or Child
Time frame: From data collection with participant enrolment to the completion of panel ratings, approximately 2-3 months after participant enrolment.
Health seeking behaviour before and after using Ada+MomConnect
Time frame: From data collection with participant enrolment to the completion of the follow-up survey send out 1 week after enrolment.
Number of participants who consulted an HCP after using Ada+MomConnect
Time frame: After completion of the follow-up survey send out 1 week after enrolment.
Gaining of health information in a fast and standardised way
Time frame: On the day of enrolment.
Usability
Time frame: On the day of enrolment.
Time saved from avoiding unnecessary healthcare consultations
Time frame: On the day of enrolment.
Time saved and associated estimate of income retained through avoiding unnecessary healthcare consultations
Time frame: On the day of enrolment.
Healthcare resource utilisation
Time frame: On the day of enrolment.
Direct Healthcare costs
Time frame: On the day of enrolment.
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