Using mobile transport vouchers to improve access to skilled delivery

Marilyn Ommeh; Christine J. Fenenga; Cees J. Hesp; Doriane Nzorubara; Tobias F Rinke de Wit

doi:10.22605/RRH4577

Project Report

Using mobile transport vouchers to improve access to skilled delivery

AUTHORS

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Marilyn Ommeh¹ MA Development Studies, Programme Manager

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Christine J. Fenenga² PhD, Senior researcher

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Cees J. Hesp³ MA, Director Mobile Health Research Labs

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Doriane Nzorubara⁴ MSc, Senior Manager Mobile Health Research Labs

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Tobias F Rinke de Wit⁵ PhD, Director Research *

AFFILIATIONS

^{1, 4} PharmAccess Group Kenya. 52 El Molo Court, Lavington, P.O. Box 6711-00100, Nairobi, Kenya

^{2, 3, 5} PharmAccess Group, AHTC, Tower C4, Paasheuvelweg 25 1105 BP Amsterdam, The Netherlands

ACCEPTED: 10 August 2018

Now published, see the full article

Early Abstract:

Introduction: Reducing maternal death remains a challenge in many low-income countries. Preventing maternal deaths depends significantly on the presence of a skilled birth attendant at child delivery. The main objective of this study was to find out whether use of mobile transport vouchers would result in an increased number of pregnant women choosing to deliver at a health facility rather than at home.

Method: A total of 86 expectant mothers living in Samburu County (Kenya), all having access to a mobile phone with Safaricom mobile simcard were enrolled into the project. Mixed methods research design was used to generate quantitative data on the voucher transactions and qualitative data from telephone interviews on technical usability of the transport voucher.

Results: The study demonstrated that the mobile transport voucher was a major driver for pregnant women to access health care facilities for skilled delivery. Illiteracy and resource scarcity were the main challenges experienced during implementation.