A mobile health tool for follow-up care after cesarean sections in rural Rwanda
mHealth-Community Health Worker tool for comprehensive post-cesarean follow-up in rural Rwanda
This study is testing a new smartphone app that helps community health workers in rural Rwanda provide easier follow-up care at home for mothers who had cesarean sections, so they don’t have to travel far for check-ups.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10916549 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research aims to create a mobile health (mHealth) tool that enables community health workers (CHWs) to provide home-based follow-up care for women who have undergone cesarean sections in rural Rwanda. By developing a smartphone application that includes a diagnostic algorithm for surgical site infections, the project seeks to reduce the need for mothers to travel to health facilities for follow-up, which can be financially and physically burdensome. The tool will be tested for usability and acceptability among CHWs to ensure it meets their needs and the needs of the mothers they serve.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are women in rural Rwanda who have recently undergone cesarean sections.
Not a fit: Patients who have delivered vaginally or those living outside of rural Rwanda may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve postpartum care for women who have had cesarean deliveries, reducing complications and enhancing maternal health outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in using mobile health tools for maternal care in similar contexts, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard Medical School — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hedt-Gauthier, Bethany — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Hedt-Gauthier, Bethany
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.