Enhancing maternal, newborn and child health support services using an interactive mobile application

Abstract

Reducing maternal and infant deaths rates in developing countries, particularly in sub-Sahara Africa, remains a challenge. Among the interventions to address the challenge is mHealth. MHealth interventions are associated with positive healthcare outcomes such as in improving clinical attendance, skilled delivery and reducing mortality. However, there is slow adoption of mHealth applications in Tanzania. Factors hindering the use of mHealth are technology exposure and language barrier. This study provides a way to address the challenges by adopting interactive features in a mobile app solution which are successful in social networking and ecommerce

apps. Such features may help a patient access services before reaching health facility, hence reducing the risk of maternal and infant deaths during emergency. We adopted a case study approach at Mwananyamala and Temeke hospitals. Respondents expressed readiness in appropriate mobile device ownership and willingness to use the mobile app. The mobile app was developed using the Rapid application development model. Different tools and languages such as Unified Modelling Language (UML), Java, XML, PHP programming language, and MySQL database management system were used. The app was tested colleagues at Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, followed by user’s validation at Temeke and Mwananyamala Hospitals. We, recommend enhancement and deployment of the app to users. Since users still view SMS as the preferred feature, future works may integrate this app with text messages. In addition, the government and other stakeholders should adopt innovative methods and efforts aimed at reducing maternal mortality and infant mortality, such as by providing smartphones pregnant women and infant mothers.