Abstract
This study is dedicated to understanding broadly what kind of role do mobile phones play in a health system and what is the impact of mHealth programs on the lives of people in Kenya. This thesis investigates some of the challenges and opportunities related to the use of information and communication technology (ICT) to promote human development and social change and to combat poverty. The emphasis is on the potential of mobile phones in improving maternal health in developing countries. I believe that the usage of mHealth programmes can potentially reduce maternal and infant mortality in developing countries. The study sought to answer two interrelated research questions: 1. What is the impact of technology on poverty reduction at the local level and what are the main sets of challenges in implementing mHealth programs in developing countries? 2. To what extent have mHealth systems been successful in reducing maternal mortality in Kenya? This study focuses on two running mHealth programmes in Kenya that promise to enable middle and low-income population to save up money through electronic platform in mobile devices for good quality health care services. The reason I chose to study health services provided with the help of ICTs is that health outcomes have direct and growing relationship to poverty alleviation in developing countries. This study will help readers better understand the new phenomenon of mHealth services in developing countries as well as offer suggestions for easier implementation and utilization of mHealth services within middle and low-income population in developing countries.