SMS Feasibility Study

Public Health Outreach

in Ghana

Alexis ThomasMaria Hoffmann

Jim Cerqua

Project Overview

• Research

– Telephone use in Ghana

– Current platforms and systems used in other projects around

the world

• SMS Platforms

– In-depth Internet search

– Four software platforms selected based on certain

criteria

EngenderHealthInternational reproductive non-profit health organization that improves the quality of

health care in the world’s poorest communities.

– Empowers people to make informed choices about contraception

– Trains health providers to make motherhood safer

– Promotes gender equity

– Enhances the quality of HIV and AIDS services

– Advocates for positive policy change

EngenderHealth

Partnerships: Governments, institutions, communities, and health care

professionals in more than 40 countries worldwide. 65 year-old

organization, has reached more than 100 million people.

Budget: In 2007, total income was $47.5 million. Total operating expenses

were $47 million, with 81% spent on program services. U.S. AID gave

$37,327,061, about 80% of total budget.

• Population: 23 million

• GDP per capita: $1,400

• Telephones

– 356,400 landlines (2006)

– 5.2 million mobile phones (2006)

Ghana

Four mobile operators: Ghana Telecom (OneTouch), MTN,

Tigo and Kasapa

• MTN Ghana is the market leader

• Number of mobile to analogue: 14:1

• Cell phone users in Ghana topped the 7 million mark in 2007

• Industry watchers predict near-saturation levels

Quality Health Partners: By the Numbers

• 400 physicians working with QHP on various

parts of the project (HIV and non-HIV).

• 17,000 HIV+ patients who could benefit.

• More than 1 million outpatients in 2007 who

might benefit from health information.

EngenderHealth’s Needs

• Network for 400 participating doctors to communicate to other healthcare providers

• A way to alert patients regarding pharmaceutical compliance, workshops, testing

Project Overview

• SMS Feasibility study

for healthcare

– Who is going to use it?

– What is it used for?

– Where is it utilized?

– How much does it cost?

Methodology

• Research

– Mobile phone use in Ghana

– Case studies

– Cultural implications of technology

– Network/Software affordability

– Technological comparison study

Comparison of SMS Platforms

1. In-depth Internet research

2. Four software platforms selected

3. Criteria

• Active

• Cost

• Ease of use

• Ease of installation

• Support

Selected Platforms Researched

• FrontlineSMS• M2Server Manager

• ActiveXperts SMS Messaging Server

• SMSCaster E-Marketer

NameActiveXperts SMS Messaging Server FrontlineSMS m2Server SMS Caster

URL www.activexperts.com www.frontlinesms.com www.m2server.com www.smscaster.com

Cost 1,495.00 Free to NGO $49-$129$200

Has monthy option

Ease of Installation 9 9 9 9Ease of Use 5 9 4 8

Support via e-mail via e-mail to designer via e-mailvia e-mail/skype/phone

Based in Hong Kong

Features

Support multiple modemsHas integrated email

Contacts databaseand groupssimple tools for analysis Mobile

Email integrationMS Exchange integrationUnicode support

ConvenientImport WizardPersonalized SMS

Notes

Easy to set up. Full Featured. May need programmer to fully utilize

very easy to use. "Plug and Play" feel. Not very technically threatening

Is full of featuresNeeds programmer Easy to use

Seemed like an e-mail account

Comparison Chart for SMS Technology

Estimated Costs

SMS Technology SoftwareCost of Software

Operational Charges*

Total Budget

Frontline SMS $240.00 $82,500.00 $82,740.00

ActiveXPERTS SMS $1,735.00 $82,500.00 $84,235.00

m2Server $369.00 $82,500.00 $82,869.00

SMS Caster $371.95 $82,500.00 $82,871.95

Cost of400 sms per month for 1 year under MTN XtraCool contract

SMS Technology SoftwareCost of Software

Operational Charges*

Total Budget

Frontline SMS $168.00 $82,500.00 $82,668.00

ActiveXPERTS SMS $1,663.00 $82,500.00 $84,163.00

m2Server $297.00 $82,500.00 $82,797.00

SMS Caster $299.95 $82,500.00 $82,799.95

Cost of 400 sms per month for 1 year under MTN XtraConnect or XtraSpecial contract

Estimated Costs (Cont.)

* Operational Charges One Year

Local staff person (program officer level) $45,000.00

Laptop $1,500.00

Internet (12 months) $36,000.00

Total: $82,500.00

Recommendations

FrontlineSMS• Actual platform is free• Many NGO’s already use with success• User-friendly, Plug and Play Feeling• Very responsive to inquiries• New Version Released Soon

Results & Deliverables

• Comprehensive report surveying opportunities in Ghana

• Recommendations made from in-depth research

• Implementation of platforms

• Feedback from EngenderHealth

• Presentation to Ghana staff at EngenderHealth Offices

Reflections• Challenges

– Group work

– Broad criteria for project

– Technical difficulties

– NGO representative in different time

zone

– Short project timeline

Reflections

• Rewards

– New relationship with NGO

– Real world implications

– New knowledge

– Learning about fieldwork of NGO

Questions?