Innovations in the field of information
technology are fast replacing the traditional methods of counseling.
Traditional IPC tools such as flipbooks, flashcards and card games for
individual and group counseling have now been replaced by mobile handsets with
information loaded on a chip. Over the years, the market for mobile handset has
grown rapidly in India. Virtually everyone has a mobile phone or access to one
within the family. Mobile phone ownership is nearly 100% amongst the frontline
workers. With increasing mobile literacy, this device offers an appropriate
platform to reach the most marginalized sections of society with important
health and convergent messages.
The purpose of this project was to
take advantage of mobile phone technology and make complete immunization drive
a success on the lines of the polio campaign. In simple terms, the use of
mobile handset as an effective health tool was experimented in this project.
The plan was to load polio and routine immunization related counseling and
training films on the mobile phones of Social Mobilization Network (SMNet)
members. The films based on polio and routine immunization enabled the SMNet
members to counsel community members more effectively. They enhanced
mobilisers’ self-confidence, improved their skill sets and provided
authenticity to their persuasive efforts.
Further, the multi-media micro SD
chip and Bluetooth feature allowed sharing of films without dependency on the internet,
thus extending the reach of polio and routine immunization messages to distant
parts of the state.
CCC-I performed a rapid assessment
of over 4000 members of the SMNet in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, examining the
type of phones used and usage skills. Further, CCC-I developed a mobile
application, which was converted into mobile-friendly format and loaded on to
phones used by the network.
