THEME: ‘The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Science and the Social Sciences: Engaging the Wider Community’

Tuesday, 23rd March, 2021 Online 1-2pm 

by

Dr Griphin Baxter Chirambo

(Head of Department, Nursing and Midwifery, 

Mzuzu University, Malawi)

Chaired by Prof. Ciara Heavin (BIS)

 Abstract: 

Preventable diseases such as malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea constitute a major threat to the health and wellbeing of under-five children particularly in the Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC). Malawi is one of the countries where a lot of under-five children die of these preventable diseases. The objective of this study was to assess the acceptability and sustainability of using mHealth decision support tools and mHealth technologies in the rural areas of the selected northern districts of Malawi. The study was nested in a clinical trial where three study designs or approaches were used. We used stepped wedged design cluster randomised trial and mixed methods approach. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used to select study participants. The study was conducted in Rumphi, Nkhatabay and Mzimba North districts of Malawi. There was increase in confidence of those using the mHealth app, reduction in consultation time, guiding in giving accurate diagnosis and thereby accurate treatment recommendation.  

Profile

Dr Griphin Baxter Chirambo is current Head of Department of Nursing and Midwifery in the faculty of Health Sciences, and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Nursing and Midwifery at Mzuzu University (MZU), Mzuzu, Malawi. He is a public Health specialist with focus on mHealth. He is also a Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing specialist. Griphin Baxtyer Chirambo is trained in conducting clinical trials and recently was involved in conducting a clinical trial in the use of mHealth technologies in the treatment of under-five children in Northern Malawi. He is also coordinating the Malawi e-Health Research Centre (Housed at Mzuzu University campus) in collaboration with the Irish Partners at the University College Cork. Griphin Baxter Chirambo is a seasoned academic and higher education institution manager.