These approaches complement each other by making use of the strengths of both and answer questions that are inadequately answered by a single approach. Ī mixed methods study was undertaken, whereby perspectives of both quantitative and qualitative approaches are used and data are purposely combined. The results of this study were used to inform mHealth-based studies in this setting on collecting health-related information via text messages. Therefore, we assessed the prevalence and factors influencing the usage of mobile phones by caregivers in Zhao County. However, information on how exactly caregivers used their mobile phones in their daily lives and for health care was unknown. In the specificrural context of our study, Zhao County, Hebei Province in Northern China, previous observations showed that mobile phones were commonly used. In China, only one mixed methods study explored usage of mobile phones among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Chongqing Province in Western China.
For example in Kenya, where most mHealth-based trials in low- and-middle income countries have taken place, only two recent quantitative studies assessed usage of mobile phones. However, assessing usage of mobile phones by populations has been under-researched. In addition, exploring the natural role of mobile phones in health care can facilitate integration of mHealth-based interventions in health systems and optimize health benefits. Knowledge of factors influencing mobile phone usage is needed to optimize experiences of users of mHealth-based interventions.
Although mobile phones are widely used, there may be differences in access and usagein different settings. An understanding of usage of mobile phones is a precondition for effective mHealth-based interventions. Mobile health, or mHealth, stands for the usage of mobile information and communication technologies for health-related purposes. This can potentiallyimprove the efficiency and effectiveness of inadequate health care systems and ultimately result in benefits for people. Mobile phones can improve communication and delivery of information over long distances between health care providers, patients and healthy individuals. This is particularly relevant to people without access to high quality health care in low- and middle-income countries. Īs mobile phones have become part of daily life and many people carry them at all times, they provide an opportunity to reach those who were previously hard to reach via traditional modes of communication. In 2013, an estimated 431 billion text messages were sent inChina, where sending a text message usually costs ¥0.10 (approximately£0.01, € 0.12, US$ 0.16) and receiving a text message is free. Mobile phone text messaging is very popular function of mobile phones. China ranked first in the world’s mobile markets with an estimated 1.2 billion mobile phone subscriptions, which accounts for approximately 92% of the population in 2014. By the end of 2014, an estimated 78% of the 6.9 billion mobile phone subscriptions will be in low- and middle-income countries.
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