Assessing mobile phone use by pregnant women in Nigeria: A capability perspective. Issue 5 (7th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dasuki, Salihu Ibrahim; Zamani, Efpraxia D.
• Is Part Of: Electronic journal on information systems in developing countries. Volume 85:Issue 5(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-05-07
• Subjects: capability approach -- case study -- mobile phones -- pregnant women; Management information systems -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Information technology -- Economic aspects -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Information technology -- Social aspects -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; High technology industries -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Economic conditions; Economic history; High technology industries; Information technology -- Economic aspects; Information technology -- Social aspects; Management information systems; Developing countries; Periodicals; 658.4
• DOI: 10.1002/isd2.12092
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1681-4835

Abstract

Abstract: This paper explores the use of mobile phones to access maternal health care in sub‐Saharan Africa and whether it enhances capability and human development. Analysing focus groups and interviews on mobile phone uses by pregnant women in Nigeria based on the Technology Augmented Capability Approach, we show that the mobile phone as a technical object facilitates three broad capabilities for pregnant women, namely, (a) enhances their voice and choice to push for health care quality, (b) enhances their access to emergency services while maintaining entrepreneurial activities, and (c) enhances their health literacy and social connectedness. However, personal, social, and environmental factors influence the conversion of the use of the mobile phone into capabilities by the pregnant women.