Healthcare providers’ perspectives on the clinical utility of artificial intelligence in pregnancy care: a mixed methods study in Kilifi, Kenya (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are increasingly being integrated into clinical practice in high-income countries, but less so in low- and middle-income countries. OBJECTIVE We sought to investigate healthcare providers' perceptions of the clinical utility of AI applications to reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes in low-resource settings. METHODS A convergent, parallel, mixed-methods study was conducted in Kaloleni, Rabai and Ganze sub-counties in Kilifi, Kenya, enrolling healthcare providers from public health facilities. Data were collected through a self-administered web survey involving 186 healthcare providers. Additionally, 21 in-depth interviews were conducted with purposively selected participants. We used template analysis guided by the AI Technology Acceptance Model (AI-TAM). RESULTS The study reported high optimism on AI tools recognising their potential utility for early risk detection and workflow efficiency, but willingness to embrace AI tools depended on user trust on the tool’s reliability and on human oversight. Despite expressed readiness, awareness of available AI tools remained limited, with 54% of the survey respondents indicating no prior exposure to AI tools in maternal health. Several adoption barriers and concerns were reported. Beyond infrastructural barriers such as unreliable electricity and poor internet connectivity, participants also expressed concerned with the long-term sustainability of these AI tools once external funding is withdrawn. CONCLUSIONS This study concludes that providers demonstrated willingness for AI integration in their clinical practice, with interest on tools that support early identification of risk factors, prompt diagnosis and workload reduction. The successful integration of AI tools requires targeted infrastructural investment and the development of governance frameworks that preserve human reasoning and clinical expertise in pregnancy care. CLINICALTRIAL N/A