ICT Based Interventions for Anganwadi Healthcare Workers in Mumbai

Anganwadi workers [1] form the core of healthcare system for a large section of rural and semi-urban population in India. They provide care for newborn babies and play an important role in immunization programs, besides providing health related information to pregnant women. Traditionally these Anganwadi workers use paper based information leaflets as a part of their job to spread awareness among the people. Although mobile phones have made their inroads into the day to day life of these workers for basic communication (making a call), however it is yet to be seen how a mobile device is being used as a technological aid for their work. There are enormous challenges in addressing these issues especially in developing regions owing to numerous reasons such as illiteracy, cognitive difficulties, cultural norms, collaborations, experience and exposure, motivation, power relations, and social standing [2]. The purpose of this field visit would be to enquire the role of mobile devices in their day-to-day work; and if being used as a technological intervention, then in what manner and form is it being used? The methodology used to conduct the study would involve contextual enquiry, open-ended interviews and observing the Anganwadi workers using ICT solutions and other informational artefacts.