Table 5.

Summary of key findings of differences when comparing RCom intervention and control groups

Level of differences	Summary of findings
1. Statistically significant findings in favour of mHealth equipped RCom	• Greater proportion of children examined for the four major danger signs by the RCom
	• Greater proportion of children examined for swelling of both feet by the RCom amongst additional danger signs
	• Greater proportion of children with diarrhea whose caretakers got advice to give more fluids and to continue feeding
	• Greater proportion of children in need of an antibiotic, ORS, zinc and/or anti-malarial whose caregivers received at least one advice about drug dosage and administration
	• Greater proportion of RCom whose supervisor provided positive feedback about doing a good job
	• More suggested that World Vision can increase RCom job satisfaction by providing a salary and financial support (as they find their RCom work difficult to balance with the need to have income generating work)
	• More showed less appreciation of motivation statements
	• More suggested that cell phones could be used for other functions, like calculator and timer
2. Not statistically significant findings but which showed a higher positive difference in favour of mHealth equipped RCom	• Greater proportion of children examined for cough and diarrhea by the RCom
	• Greater proportion of children correctly referred for the all danger signs/classified diseases by the RCom
	• Greater proportion of children in need of antibiotic, ORS, zinc and/or anti-malarial who received the first dose of the treatment right away
	• Greater proportion of children whose breathing rate had been evaluated and compared favourably within a gap of ±3 between measures by RCom and clinicians
	• Proportion of children given an antibiotic, ORS, zinc and/or anti-malarial whose caregiver could explain how to administer the treatment (further complementing the statistically significant finding above)
	• Received fewer supervisory visits in the last three months than the control group
	• Had a more negative perception of their working conditions (worse than control)
	• Suggested that World Vision could increase their job satisfaction by working to improve transportation (complementing that of financial resources above)
3. Statistically significant findings in favour of the RCom control group, those not equipped with the mHealth intervention	• Greater proportion of children assessed for severe acute malnutrition by MUAC tape colour reading by the RCom (as one of the other danger signs)
	• Greater proportion of children whose classifications given by the RCom corresponded to the clinicians’ in two major areas (diarrhea with blood in stool and fast breathing)
	• Greater proportion whose supervisor discussed problems and answered questions during the most recent visit
	• More control RCom were women
4. Not statistically significant findings but which showed a high positive difference in favour of the RCom control group not using the mHealth intervention	• Greater proportion of children with confirmed fever and positive RDT who received an anti-malarial from the RCom
	• Greater proportion of children with fever confirmed by high temperature who received Paracetamol from the RCom
	• Greater number of times the RCom received a supervisory visit in the last 3 months; the control group RCom received more supervisory visits overall
	• Greater proportion of RCom whose supervisor corrected or reminded them of things during the most recent visit
	• More satisfaction with their work environment
	• Have a better perception of their working conditions
	• More suggested that World Vision can increase their job satisfaction by providing them materials, medications and food support
5. No difference between RCom groups	• Proportion of children examined for fever
	• Proportion of children whose breathing rate had been evaluated and compared favourably within a gap of ±3 between measures by RCom and clinicians
	• General treatment of children
	• Proportion of children with cough and fast breathing who were prescribed Amoxicillin by the RCom
	• Correct classifications (as verified by the clinicians) for: diarrhea less than 14 days and no blood in the stool; diarrhea for 14 days or more; blood in the stool; fever for last 7 days; fever for less than 7 days; and chest indrawing
	• Caregiver satisfaction of the RCom’s work and their willingness to return for more services in the future (but was all generally high)
	• Most poorly answered the questions related to the four case studies.

RCom – Relais Communautaire