The role of m-health in providing antenatal care in rural areas

Background: The maternal mortality rate is high in India and many deaths are due to preventable causes related to pregnancy. Mobile-health is an innovative strategy wherein, mobile phones are used for pregnancy tracking and giving support during the antenatal period. Aims and objectives of the study was to know the role of m-Health in providing antenatal care in rural areas.Methods: This was a prospective, comparative study carried out at Kamineni Hospital, LB Nagar, Hyderabad and the Primary Health Centres (PHC) of Uppal and Narapally, Ranga Reddy district over a period of one year nine months and consisted of 204 registered antenatal cases divided into study and control groups. Both groups received routine antenatal support and the study group, in addition received mobile health support also. Various parameters were compared in both the groups.Results: The study group had more antenatal visits, better correction of anemia, less number of patients who were lost to follow-up, and more number of Caesarean deliveries.Conclusions: Mobile health helps in pregnancy tracking and increasing the antenatal visits. It helps in timely referrals for high-risk pregnancies in remote areas and it has the potential to provide obstetric care and consultations to both low risk and at-risk women in rural areas where specialist care is not always available

Endometrial actinomycosis associated with intrauterine contraceptive device forgotten for 44 years

Intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUCD) are an effective way for contraception. Proper patient education at the time of placing the IUCD is important. Otherwise, they may not come for device removal at appropriate time, and it may be left in situ and forgotten, which can lead to complications at a later date. Here, we present a case of a 76-year-old lady who came with postmenopausal bleeding due to a forgotten IUCD leading to actinomycotic endometritis. The device was removed hysteroscopically under general anesthesia followed by appropriate antibiotics and the patient recovered well