RoadMApp: a feasibility study for a smart travel application to improve maternal health delivery in a low resource setting in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Background: Travel time and healthcare financing are critical determinants of the provision of quality maternal

health care in low resource settings. Despite the availability of pregnancy-related mHealth and smart travel

applications, there is a lack of evidence on their usage to travel to health facilities for routine antenatal care and

emergencies. There is a shortage of information about the feasibility of using a custom-made mobile technology

that integrates smart travel and mHealth. This paper explores the feasibility of implementing a custom-made

geographically enabled mobile technology-based tool (RoadMApp) to counter the adverse effects of long travel

times for maternal care in Kwekwe District, Zimbabwe.

Methods: We frame the paper using the first two steps (listen & plan) of the Spiral Technology Action Research

(STAR model). The paper uses an exploratory case study design and Participatory Learning Approaches (PLA) with

stakeholders (community members) and in-depth interviews with key informants (health care service providers,

pregnant women, transport operators). One hundred ninety-three participants took part in the study. We

conducted focus group discussions with pregnant women, women of childbearing age, men (household heads),

and elderly women. The discussion questions centered on travel time, availability of transport, cellular network

coverage, and perceptions of the RoadMApp application. Data were analysed thematically using Nvivo Pro 12.

Results: Most parts of rural Kwekwe are far from health facilities and have an inefficient road and

telecommunications network. Hence, it is hard to predict if RoadMApp will integrate into the lives of the

community - especially those in rural areas. Since these issues are pillars of the design of the RoadMApp mHealth,

the implementation will probably be a challenge.

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