Evaluating Handheld Clinical Decision Support Tools to Improve Community-Based Delivery of Reproductive and Pediatric Health Services - Trial PACTR201402000725372

Timeline & Enrollment

Summary

Description from IRB proposal:We will test the null hypothesis that the proportion of mothers receiving a postnatal check-up within 48 hours of delivery is no different among Community Health Workers (CHWs) with access to Clinical Decision Support (CDS) software compared to those without the software. In addition, we will test secondary hypotheses that a mobile phone platform is a cost-effective alternative to paper-based data collection and that it is an acceptable method of data collection and dissemination in the community.The primary aim will be to evaluate the effectiveness, costs and acceptability of a handheld CDS Smart Forms system for improving the delivery of community-based maternal and child health services. Specifically, we will accomplish four objectives: 1. Evaluate comparatively the effectiveness of CDS ¿Smart Forms¿ to increase the proportion of mothers receiving a postnatal check-up by a Community Health Worker within 48 hours of delivery; 2. Evaluate the effectiveness of incorporating patient-specific multimedia Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials into Smart Forms for increasing ANC visits, immunizations, use of ITNs, facility-based deliveries, exclusive breastfeeding and other behavior changes among pregnant women and new mothers; 3. Determine the cost-effectiveness of CDS Smart Forms employed by CHWs from the societal and Ministry of Health perspectives over a lifetime time horizon; 4. Assess qualitatively the process of implementation of the Smart Forms system, including the technical specifications, human capacity requirements, and acceptability among patients and providers.

ICD-10 Classifications