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Provider Perspectives on Sexual Health Services Used by Bangladeshi Women with mHealth Digital Approach: A Qualitative Study

Author

Listed:
  • Yamin Tauseef Jahangir

    (School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
    Department of Public Health, School of Health and Life Sciences, North South University, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh)

  • Amit Arora

    (School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
    Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
    Oral Health Services, Sydney Local Health District and Sydney Dental Hospital, Surry Hills, NSW 2010, Australia
    Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia)

  • Pranee Liamputtong

    (School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
    Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia)

  • Mohammad Hayatun Nabi

    (Department of Public Health, School of Health and Life Sciences, North South University, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh)

  • Samantha B. Meyer

    (School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada)

Abstract

Cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are underreported in Bangladesh. Women in general suffer from poor sexual health outcomes due to a lack of access to sexual health services. mHealth, a digital approach to STI services, is an easier and cheaper way to disseminate health information in Bangladesh. However, women have less autonomy in accessing STI services and it is important to learn if, how and/or why women use mHealth. A qualitative study was conducted with 26 medical doctors to explore their perceptions of the mHealth STI services used by Bangladeshi women. Themes were grouped under four categories: (1) provider perceptions of mHealth for sexual healthcare; (2) the health literacy of women clients; (3) cost and maintaining timeliness in providing mHealth services; (4) mHealth service accessibility. Data suggest that mHealth can play a significant role in improving the awareness and utilization of STI services in Bangladeshi women. Successful opportunities for STI service expansion using mHealth were identified, depending on the quality and type of service delivery options, awareness of challenges related to health literacy framework, cost, accessibility to information and availability of culturally competent health experts to disseminate health information. We identify the need to increase access and use of mHealth services for sexual health, as it provides an innovative platform to bridge the health communication gaps in sexual health for Bangladeshi women.

Suggested Citation

  • Yamin Tauseef Jahangir & Amit Arora & Pranee Liamputtong & Mohammad Hayatun Nabi & Samantha B. Meyer, 2020. "Provider Perspectives on Sexual Health Services Used by Bangladeshi Women with mHealth Digital Approach: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-11, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:17:p:6195-:d:404402
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    Cited by:

    1. Abdon Gregory Rwabilimbo & Kedir Y. Ahmed & Jackline Boniphace Mshokela & Amit Arora & Felix Akpojene Ogbo & on behalf of the Global Maternal and Child Health Research Collaboration (GloMACH), 2023. "Trends and Drivers of Unmet Need for Family Planning in Currently Married Tanzanian Women between 1999 and 2016," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-22, January.

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