Co-Designing a Mobile Intervention to Support the Prevention and Control of Malaria in Low-Middle-Income Communities in Nigeria

ABSTRACT:

This study explored the various factors militating against prevention and treatment of malaria among the low-middle-income communities in Nigeria. The findings from a user study survey instrument which had 105 respondents uncovered several factors hindering people from engaging in positive health behaviours as they relates to malaria prevention and control. These uncomplimentary attitudes have led to the increase in malaria related deaths especially among pregnant women and children within the age of five years. The outcome of this survey were plotted in pie and bar charts to embellish this study. Some factors such as wrong perception of malaria sickness, lack of motivation, deliberate refusal to use the freely distributed insecticide treated bed-net (ITN), and other malaria preventive interventions provided by government and other authorities. Based on these findings, this study explored a technology-based intervention to the problem. A user centered design (UCD) approach was used to engage the targeted user in order to understand their needs regarding the problem. The outcome of this engagement was translated into a design prototype called “Kpochapu Oria-Iba” [Eradicate Malaria Sickness] apps; incorporating all the users motivational and persuasive factors. A useroriented interactive mobile system that is sufficiently tailored to support just-in-time persuasive reminders

Keywords: Just-in-time, Kpochapu Oria-Iba, lowmiddle-income communities, Malaria sickness, user centered design (UCD), user-oriented.