A participatory learning approach for the development of a maternal mobile health technology in Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT

Participatory Learning Approaches (PLAs) were used in identifying community expectations and needs for the introduction of the RoadMApp mHealth software (a geographically enabled mHealth technology which would link pregnant women to transportation to health facilities) in Kwekwe District, Zimbabwe. The sampling frame included different demographic groups which voluntarily took part in the study. 84 participants took part in the study. Chapati visual methods were conducted on Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) at 3 Rural Health Centres, whilst in-depth informant interviews (IDIs) and problem tree analysis were conducted at 10 clinics in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas. Thematic analysis and root-cause-analysis were used to interpret the data. Major themes identified were (a.) unavailability of savings for institutional childbirth, (b.) transport problems, and (c.) donor dependency. We recommend RoadMApp mHealth software to look beyond catering for transportation and savings for pregnancy related conditions, but inclusion of other health conditions.

KEYWORDS:

• Participatory learning approaches
• maternal health
• RoadMApp
• geographically enabled mHealth
• mobile health
• lower and middle income

Acknowledgements

This work is part of the RoadMApp—Improving access to maternal care funded by Grant Challenges Canada, Grant Number ST-POC-1807-12966 - Midlands State University awarded to Dr. Prestige Tatenda Makanga of Midlands State University, Zimbabwe. The Place Alert Labs, Faculty of Science and Technology, Midlands State University supported the work, and the Research and Postgraduate Studies Office at Midlands State University. We acknowledge valuable insights received from all members of the Place Alert Labs at Midlands State University in Zimbabwe.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The proposed intervention is funded by Grand Challenges Canada under [grant number ST-POC-1807-12966] - Midlands State University. The response seeks to address delays in accessing care by linking pregnant women to locally available transport options and means of saving for maternity.