Digital Media and Maternal Healthcare Among Young Women in Kenya

Abstract

This research was undertaken to analyse digital media usage and maternal healthcare utilization among pregnant young mothers in Kenya. Digital media has the potential of promoting health literacy and being an agent of health care seeking in expectant women and new mothers. The Cross-sectional study polled women between the ages of 19 and 35 who were either expecting or had recently given birth using surveys and focus group interviews at 2 medical centres in Nairobi, Kenya. Microsoft Excel Data Analysis ToolPak Ver. 2016 analysed the first-hand information gathered from the participants, while descriptive and inferential statistics were employed suitably to display the results. 88% of respondents favoured conducting research using web-based search engines, 92% used various forms of digital media to look for information during their pregnancy, 56% used pregnancy apps, and (9%) did not use digital media at all to access information on maternal healthcare. They looked to literature, peers, and medical professionals like midwives and medical professionals for advice instead. The study concludes that although traditional information sources on maternal healthcare remain significantly important, there is a strong correlation between maternity medical care adoption and the usage of digital platforms. It recommends physicians across Kenya should take an active role in using such technological applications to deliver with reliable and precise information to young new and expectant mothers.