JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The government of India has launched various digital health interventions (DHIs) at the primary healthcare level to improve health services and health-seeking behaviors.

Objective:

To assess the implementation status of DHIs and the response of the target-end-users and health care workers (HCWs) in health and wellness centres (HWCs) in Chandigarh, Union Territory India.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted in four randomly selected HWCs using a pretested data extraction form and observation checklist during June-September 2022. Respective pretested interview schedules were used to assess the awareness and usability of DHIs among 120 target end users and 120 HCWs. The logic model with a scoring system was used to assess the implementation status of DHIs. Status of DHI implementation estimated as percentage cumulative scores obtained

Results:

Implementation status of the Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN)and Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) portal was in the range of 70-90%, Health Management Information System (HMIS) portal, HWC portal, Comprehensive Primary Healthcare- Non-Communicable Disease (CPHC NCD) portal, and FP_LIMS in 25-50%, eSanjeevani and IDSP-IHIP portal 51-70%. Community awareness of DHIs ranged from 1% to 22%, except for Aarogya Setu (78.3%) and the COVID-19 Vaccine Intelligence Network (CoWin) app (35.8%). While 66% of HCWs reported working with DHIs easy, 88% acknowledged that dual data entry increased their workload

Conclusions:

RCH and eVIN portals were effectively implemented, eSanjeevani was fairly implemented, and HMIS, HWC portal, CPHC, and FP_LIMS were weakly implemented. Community awareness of DHIs was low except for the Aarogya Setu and CoWin app. HCWs reported working with DHIs was easy but it had increased their workload.