91 An exploration of the implementation and feasibility of an mHealth intervention to prevent unintentional injury in the family unit in rural Nepal

<h3>Background</h3> Injuries are a public health concern in Nepal. This study focuses on the remote Western district of Mugu where unintentional injuries occurring in family units were reported. Due to the remote location of Mugu there is limited access to adequate healthcare which can compound the impact of injuries when they occur. This study examines whether mHealth, specifically the mobile phone and use of interactive voice response (IVR) is an appropriate method to disseminate injury prevention information to caregivers of children in remote locations of Nepal. <h3>Objective</h3> To evaluate implementation of an mHealth intervention using the mobile phone and IVR to prevent unintentional injury in Mugu and the feasibility of scaling up the intervention in rural areas of Nepal. <h3>Methods</h3> A mixed methods evaluation of implementing an mHealth intervention was used. Injury prevention information was disseminated to participants via three methods. 47 participants received in person injury prevention information, 47 participants received injury prevention information in person and via mobile phone using IVR, and 157 participants received injury prevention information via mobile phone using IVR only. Pre and post tests were conducted via paper survey and IVR, and eight in person focus group discussions were conducted with fifty participants. Pre and post test survey responses will be compared and analysed, and focus group discussions will be thematically analysed. After analysis of findings, the next step will be the facilitation of a discussion with relevant stakeholders to determine the suitability of scaling aspects of the intervention in other rural areas of Nepal, and discuss the feasibility of application in other rural contexts in low and middle income countries in Asia. <h3>Results</h3> The findings from this study are currently being analysed and will be available for presentation at Safety 2024. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Full findings from this study will be presented at Safety 2024. However, early analysis suggests that participants had differing opinions about the acceptability of the mHealth and IVR intervention, with some participants favouring face to face methodology, and some favouring IVR.