Effect of Mobile Control Application on the Compliance of Ferrum Tablets Consumption Among Pregnant Women

Background: Rukmaini et al. 2018 conducted a longitudinal study in Pandeglang regency Banten Province, Indonesia where there is a high prevalence of anemia among pregnant women. The aim was to identify the effect of mobile control application on the compliance of ferrum tablet consumption among pregnant women. Most of the respondents were sunda ethnic, had low family income, and ages ranged from 16-40 years old.

Methods: Data were collected for 5 days from 86 pregnant women in the work area of Kaduhejo Health Centre. Sampling was purposive with an inclusion criterion of first or second trimester single pregnancy, communicable, and able to use mobile phone applications. Each participant was instructed to take 1 pill/day for 90 days and given iron supplements. A mobile application where women could input data and get reminders to take their medication was installed on participants’ phones, as well as phones belonging to their families and midwives, to monitor iron consumption. 30 days after consumption of ferrum tablets and 30 days after consumption and use of the mobile control app, a ten-item questionnaire related to compliance of ferrum tablet consumption was completed. There was no control group.

Results: Pre and post test mean scores on the compliance of ferrum tablets were significantly different showing an effect of mobile app control on compliance.

Conclusions: Family income may be a factor related to ferrum tablet consumption compliance. Mobile control application has been shown to be effective in increasing compliance as shown through this study. Traditional case-management interventions should be used in addition to mobile control apps. Authors recommend uptake of this intervention by government and policy makers. Future studies should include a control group and explore longer-term effects on health outcomes.