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

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.