Journal of Psychiatry

Intention to use a mobile phone to receive mental health support and its predicting factors among women attending antenatal care at public health facilities in Ambo town, West Shoa zone, Ethiopia 2022

5^th Annual Congress on Psychiatry

February 08-09, 2024 | Madrid, Spain

Wabi Temesgen Atinafu

Ambo University, Ethiopia

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Psychiatry

Abstract:

Background: Mental health problems are the most common morbidities of women during the prenatal period (1-3). In LMICs mobile phones have been identified as a good vehicle for monitoring individuals with a high risk of mental health conditions (4, 5). However, evidence is scarce and the purpose of this study was to assess the intention to use a mobile phone to receive mental health support and its predicting factors among women attending antenatal care at public health facilities in Ambo town, Ethiopia 2022. Results: A total of 699 (97.8% response rate) responded to complete all the questionnaires. About 530 (77.3%) 95% CI (74%-80.3%) of women intended to use a mobile phone to receive mental health support. The perceived usefulness has a positive effect on attitude (β=0.391, p<0.001) and intention to use (β=0.253, p<0.001). The perceived ease of use influences perceived usefulness (β=0.253, p<0.001) and attitude β=0.579, p<0.001). The intention to use is positively affected by attitude (β=0.662, p<0.001).Trust has a positive effect on perceived usefulness (=0.580, p<0.001) and intention to use (β=0.113, p=0.005). Subjective norm has a direct positive effect on perceived usefulness (β=0.248, p<0.001). Attitude serves as a partial mediator between perceived usefulness and intention to use and a complete mediating role between perceived ease of use and intention to use. Conclusion: The level of intention to use a mobile phone among prenatal women is relatively high and attitude, perceived usefulness, and trust had direct positive effects on intention to use a mobile phone. Therefore, hospitals and healthcare providers should take proactive measures to implement the strategies and policies for providing mobile phone-based mental health support to prenatal women in remote areas.

Biography :

Wabi Temesgen Atinafu, MPH, is a distinguished public health scholar at Ambo University, Ethiopia. With expertise in health promotion and disease prevention, he tirelessly works towards improving community health outcomes through education and research.