Health service innovation of neonatal jaundice detection by using mHealth
technology in low-income settings: user-centered implementation
project in Nepal
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By Markus Rosenvinge Pettrém
Spring 2023
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Neonatal jaundice (NNJ) is a common condition in newborns which may cause severe complications if untreated. It is a significant health concern in Nepal, due to factors such as limitations in health care access. Current detection practices, based on visual inspections and invasive methods, can be inefficient and time-consuming for health care workers. Mobile health (mHealth) technology offers more accessible and potentially cost-effective solutions. Picterus, a company located in Trondheim, Norway, has developed an mHealth mobile application which estimates newborn jaundice levels. This thesis explores the feasibility of implementing Picterus in a hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. The data for this study was collected from health care workers at Kathmandu Medical College (KMC) in March 2023. To gain detailed insight into the health care workers’ needs, attitudes and challenges in their daily work, as well as regarding currently used and potential new technologies, service design and user-centered design approaches were used. This included semi-structured interviews, user tests, and focus groups. The goal was to understand and evaluate the existing methods and procedures for detecting NNJ and uncover potential areas for development and improvement. Results suggest a clear need for Picterus in KMC, where it can assist doctors in their daily work by eliminating incorrect, subjective assessments. This may decrease unnecessary invasive procedures, which in turn can free up the doctors’ time for other tasks. Additionally, Picterus could potentially lower the costs for the parents of newborns, improving the accessibility of assessments. However, several challenges were identified when exploring the potential integration of the service in the hospital, including the app’s user experience and the training required for its proper use. To address these challenges, suggested solutions include upgrading features and wireframes in the application, a two-step training guide including group training and an informational poster, as well as practical recommendations for Picterus’ short and long-term development. The implications of these findings could improve the NNJ health care service in KMC and could be used as an indication of whether implementing other mHealth solutions in Nepal is feasible.
Full thesis: https://ntnuopen.ntnu.no/ntnu-xmlui/handle/11250/3081352
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