Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41734244›Full record

ArticlePLOS digital health2026

Pregnant women's and health workers' perceptions and experiences on the Rwandan ANC digital module intervention at selected health centres.

Michael Habtu, Maria Barreix, Maurice Bucagu, Richard Kalisa, Nathalie Kayiramirwa Murindahabi, Fiacre Rugamba Rugero, Hedieh Mehrtash, Theopista J Kabuteni, Tigest Tamrat, Rosemary K Muliokela and 5 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PLOS digital health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Michael HabtuUniversity of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Kigali, Rwanda.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5876-2743
Maria BarreixUNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Child, Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3613-9672
Maurice BucaguUniversity of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Kigali, Rwanda.
Richard KalisaUniversity of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Kigali, Rwanda.
Nathalie Kayiramirwa MurindahabiUniversity of Rwanda, Single Project Implementation Unit (SPIU), Kigali, Rwanda.
Fiacre Rugamba RugeroUniversity of Rwanda, centre of excellence in Biomedical engineering and e-health, Health informatics Department, Kigali, Rwanda.
Hedieh MehrtashUNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Child, Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
Theopista J KabuteniWorld Health Organization, Kigali, Rwanda.
Tigest TamratUNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Child, Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
Rosemary K MuliokelaUNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Child, Adolescent Health and Ageing, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0614-3646
Josiane AkingeneyeUniversity of Rwanda, Single Project Implementation Unit (SPIU), Kigali, Rwanda.
François Regis CyizaRwanda Biomedical Centre, Division of Maternal Child and Community Health, Kigali, Rwanda.
Uwimana AlineRwanda Biomedical Centre, Division of Maternal Child and Community Health, Kigali, Rwanda.
Gilbert Uwayezu1000Hills Solutions, Kigali, Rwanda.
Kama Mukamurigo EdithUniversity of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Kigali, Rwanda.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

As part of the New Antenatal Care Model for Africa and India (NAMAI) study, Rwanda implemented a digital module, in line with national digital health strategies, and the WHO SMART guideline framework. The purpose of this NAMAI study was to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of implementing an updated national Antenatal Care (ANC) service package and the use of a digital tool to support and improve quality service provision. A qualitative component was conducted to explore the experiences of health workers and pregnant women on the implementation of the Rwandan digital ANC module intervention in study facilities. This qualitative study was conducted in 14 health centres in Nyanza and Nyagatare districts. A total of 13 heads of health centres and 14 nurses/midwives providing ANC services participated in Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). In addition, 10 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted, each composed of seven to nine pregnant women. Data were collected in December 2024 using KII and FGD guides. All KIIs and FGDs were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated into English. Transcripts were analyzed employing using inductive thematic content analysis techniques with Atlas.ti Version 8. The Rwandan ANC digital module intervention was perceived to enhance tracking and follow up, improve data storage and reduce risk of record loss, simplify data analysis and reporting, and provide reminder notifications. However, some implementation challenges were highlighted, including slow performance of the digital tool, inadequate supervision, and increased workload due to the use of concurrent paper and digital tools. Despite the perceived benefits of the Rwandan digital ANC module intervention, the study identified some challenges that may hinder its effective implementation. To optimize the delivery of ANC services through this digital tool and inform future scale-up, it is essential to address the mentioned challenges.

Identifiers

PMID41734244
PMCPMC12931765

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.