Using mobile transport vouchers to improve access to skilled delivery

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 SIM card, 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 healthcare facilities for skilled delivery. Illiteracy and resource scarcity were the main challenges experienced during implementation.

CONCLUSION: Mobile technology can be successfully used in remote rural settings in Africa for targeting funds and guiding individuals towards better health care. The combination of such technology with communication agents (community health volunteers, ambulance drivers) proved particularly effective.