Medical apps for reproductive health practices: Uses and implications for supporting sustainable development in Nigeria

  • Nelson Okorie Covenant University, Ota
  • Lanre Amodu Covenant University, Ota
  • Tunji Oyedepo Covenant University, Ota
  • Suleimanu Usaini Covenant University, Ota
  • Tolulope Kayode-Adedeji Covenant University, Ota
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11564/32-1-1179
Keywords: Selfcare medical apps, health care, maternal and infant death, sustainable development, Nigeria

Abstract

Background:Empirical investigations on the adoption of selfcare medical apps for reproductive health services among women are not popular in literature and rarely dicussed openly. Objective:This study evaluated the uses of medical apps for reproductive health practices among women in Nigeria. Method:Quantitative questionnaire approach was adopted among randomly selected 340 urban literate women in prime reproductive age (15-35 years) in Ota Community. Results:The study identified three predominant disproportionately used of selfcare healthapps: My Fitness Pal (23.7%), Flo (22.2%) and my Calendar (17.8%). Common selfcare practices are pregnancy test, weight management, but infection test was low (6.5%).Conclusion:The study concludes that the use of selfcare medical apps that could aid early discovery of health challenges are not common in the study location. The authors recommended the use and training on these apps as crucal part of women’s reproductive healthcare services to achieve healthy lives and reduction in maternal and infant morbidities.

Author Biographies

Nelson Okorie, Covenant University, Ota
Department of Mass Communication15
Lanre Amodu, Covenant University, Ota
Department of Mass Communication
Tunji Oyedepo, Covenant University, Ota
Department of Mass Communication
Suleimanu Usaini, Covenant University, Ota
Department of Mass Communication
Tolulope Kayode-Adedeji, Covenant University, Ota
Department of Mass Communication
Published
2018-08-27
Issue
Vol. 32 No. 1 (2018): Supplement Special Issue on Covenant University’s Perspectives on Nigeria Demography and Achievement of SDGs-2030
Section
Articles

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