Design and Implementation of Persuasive Technology for Maternal health care: Nigeria as a Case study

Abstract

Persuasive technologies are Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) systems integrated with strategies designed to encourage users to perform specific target behaviors. Maternal healthcare services in Nigeria are structured to promote information-seeking behaviors and enhance the health and wellness of pregnant and nursing mothers through social and motivational approaches. However, these strategies have been largely ineffective, resulting in a persistently high rate of maternal deaths due to poor health practices and the lack of engagement with smart e-health solutions. This research investigates the immediate and remote factors contributing to inappropriate maternal healthcare behaviors, aiming to design and implement a responsive persuasive technology that encourages responsible maternal health-seeking behaviors. To achieve this goal, a mixed-method approach was adopted, incorporating user studies (survey), research design, and the Persuasive System Design (PSD) framework. The findings from the user-based research were carefully mapped to five critical factors affecting the adoption of appropriate maternal health-seeking behaviors in rural communities. These factors were then aligned with corresponding persuasive strategies, which informed the development of innovative and cost-effective design guidelines. These guidelines are intended to motivate attitudinal and behavioral changes in the health and information-seeking practices of expectant and nursing mothers in rural African communities. Following the research phase, a persuasive technology for maternal healthcare was designed and implemented using an object oriented methodology. This technology was developed in PHP and it addresses negative maternal healthcare attitudes by encouraging positive behavioral changes among users. The system incorporates relevant persuasive strategies and is built from the ground up to ensure privacy, while providing personalized and tailored views for users.