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Research article
The Potentials of a Maternal Mobile Wallet: a Qualitative Case Study on Opportunities and Challenges From Zimbabwe
Israel Mbekezeli Dabengwa
Faculty of Medicine, National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1160-8276
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Background: There are no systems put in place regarding mobile money for maternal savings in Zimbabwe. Therefore, this paper aims to highlight: (a) existing strategies and experiences about maternal savings in Kwekwe District and, (b) examine the implications of household dynamics and current savings behaviour towards the feasibility of implementing the RoadMApp Maternal Healthcare Mobile Wallet (MHMW).
Methods: Out of the 49 health facilities in Kwekwe, 2 hospitals (rural and urban), 4 rural health centres, 2 peri-urban, and 2 urban clinics were purposively selected for the study. Participants were recruited from these health facilities. 193 people took part in the study, through 11 Focus Group Discussions, 17 In-Depth Interviews, and 3 Community Meetings. The Socio-ecological Model’s categories are applied to interpret the results taking into consideration the barriers and enablers of maternal savings.
Results: There is a paucity of information on strategies for maternal savings in Kwekwe District, Zimbabwe. The critical enabler for the implementation of an MHMW could be the use of existing community structures, like the burial societies and other savings clubs. Some of the essential barriers include low access to mobile phones, inadequate network coverage, power outages, a general lack of saving culture by communities, and the hyperinflationary environment in the country.
Conclusion: Although, the socio-economic status of households may be the best predictor of maternal savings, ancillary factors such as financial literacy, educational level, cultural norms, and religion will help to understand the psychosocial reasons why communities engage in maternal savings. When implementing an MHMW, specific attention should be paid to individual and community/institutional level factors such as subsidies/interests on amounts saved, enforcing financial discipline, building local level mobile network infrastructure, and relying on locally available persons/systems.
Keywords
Savings, Maternal Health, Pregnancy, Mobile Health Technology, Mobile Banking, Mobile Money Wallet, Maternal Health Mobile Wallet, Hyperinflation, Poverty, Zimbabwe
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CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
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Posted 30 Dec, 2020
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Received 15 Jan, 2021
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On 11 Jan, 2021
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This preprint is under consideration at BMC Health Services Research. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research article
The Potentials of a Maternal Mobile Wallet: a Qualitative Case Study on Opportunities and Challenges From Zimbabwe
Israel Mbekezeli Dabengwa
Faculty of Medicine, National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1160-8276
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 30 Dec, 2020
No community comments so far
Review #1 received
Received 15 Jan, 2021
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 11 Jan, 2021
Editor assigned
On 07 Jan, 2021
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 07 Jan, 2021
Submission checks complete
On 24 Dec, 2020
Editor invited
On 22 Dec, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Health Economics & Outcomes Research
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background: There are no systems put in place regarding mobile money for maternal savings in Zimbabwe. Therefore, this paper aims to highlight: (a) existing strategies and experiences about maternal savings in Kwekwe District and, (b) examine the implications of household dynamics and current savings behaviour towards the feasibility of implementing the RoadMApp Maternal Healthcare Mobile Wallet (MHMW).
Methods: Out of the 49 health facilities in Kwekwe, 2 hospitals (rural and urban), 4 rural health centres, 2 peri-urban, and 2 urban clinics were purposively selected for the study. Participants were recruited from these health facilities. 193 people took part in the study, through 11 Focus Group Discussions, 17 In-Depth Interviews, and 3 Community Meetings. The Socio-ecological Model’s categories are applied to interpret the results taking into consideration the barriers and enablers of maternal savings.
Results: There is a paucity of information on strategies for maternal savings in Kwekwe District, Zimbabwe. The critical enabler for the implementation of an MHMW could be the use of existing community structures, like the burial societies and other savings clubs. Some of the essential barriers include low access to mobile phones, inadequate network coverage, power outages, a general lack of saving culture by communities, and the hyperinflationary environment in the country.
Conclusion: Although, the socio-economic status of households may be the best predictor of maternal savings, ancillary factors such as financial literacy, educational level, cultural norms, and religion will help to understand the psychosocial reasons why communities engage in maternal savings. When implementing an MHMW, specific attention should be paid to individual and community/institutional level factors such as subsidies/interests on amounts saved, enforcing financial discipline, building local level mobile network infrastructure, and relying on locally available persons/systems.
Figure 1
Figure 2