A Collaborative
Research

In Africa, maternal deaths reduced by 41% between 1990 and 2010, largely attributable to better maternity services, access to antibiotics, and safer surgical procedures. Notwithstanding, the continent still records the highest percentage of global maternal deaths, which are often associated with three Delays: 1) Delay in deciding to seek care 2) Delay in getting to care, and 3) Delay in accessing care in a health facility. Time, travel distance, and cost of care reinforce poor health-seeking and care continuity.

Further, poor surveillance methods deprive caregivers of the chance to monitor at-risk patients and provide timely health interventions. The advent of trackers offers the opportunity to monitor and recommend wellness metrics, which can be used in the management of conditions including gestational diabetes, excessive weight gain, and postpartum depression.

Remote mobile health monitoring has demonstrated culturally and resource-specific opportunities to track patients and intervene early, without the need for patients to travel to central clinics unless needed. The study therefore seeks to leverage the tracking capabilities of Fitbit watches to assess the feasibility of wearables in influencing maternal health in Ghana. The study is a collaboration between Google and the University of Ghana Medical Centre’s Medical and Scientific Research Centre.

Project Details

This collaborative research initiative will be bringing together the innovative minds of the University of Ghana Medical Centre, Google Research, and Fitbit Health Research. This dynamic partnership represents a pioneering endeavor at the intersection of academia, technology, and healthcare. By uniting the expertise of these esteemed institutions, we aim to push the boundaries of medical research, revolutionize healthcare practices, and ultimately improve the well-being of individuals globally.