The Use of Mobile Phones by Women Accessing Health Care Services in Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Maternal and neonatal mortality rates still pose a global challenge. Objectives: The present study aimed to identify the socio-demographic characteristics of mobile users trying to access antenatal care services, transportation to facilities, and postnatal care for mothers and newborns. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that used data collected from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2014. Data were gathered using a questionnaire. Participants comprised 4,494 mothers aged between 14 and 49. Models of logistic regression were used to determine associations. Results: The overall sample size was 4494, with only 22.23% of women using mobile phones. Among these, 29.9% used their mobile phones to obtain health services or advice and 70.1% did not. Women with mobile phones who had a higher level of education used them to receive more health care (secondary and higher: OR = 1.922, 95% CI = 1.225-3.014; primary: OR = 1.982, 95% CI = 1.738-2.654), they were of higher socio-economic status (rich: OR = 1.228, 95% CI 1.009-1.494; middle income: OR = 1.691, 95% CI = 1.256-2.333), they accessed more prenatal care (yes: OR = 1.993, 95% CI = 1.425-1.987) and antenatal care (yes: OR = 1.951, 95% CI = 1.765-1.998) and they checked their health status after delivery (yes: OR = 1.966, 95% CI 1.639-2.357). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that young women who had a higher level of education and income and resided in urban areas were more likely to use mobile phones to receive health care facilities in Bangladesh. Intervention studies are essential for recognising that mobile phone-based facilities improve maternal health care.