A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of
Master’s in Information and Communication Science and Engineering of the
Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology
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.