Abstract

The growing interest in using mHealth to increase access to maternal healthcare can be understood through the context of value co-creation. The value of mHealth apps is co-created with multiple actors, always including the beneficiary. Service dominant (S-D) logic conceptualizes value as value-in-context in which actors co-create and realize value differently in different channels and their experiences may shift over time. It is unclear of what value is co-created with the use of mHealth apps in maternal healthcare from an S-D perspective. In this paper, a case study approach is used to investigate use of two mHealth apps in Uganda. Interviews and focus group discussions were held with app users. Results were analyzed using S-D value co-creation model. Key findings show that mHealth has been used to co-create value beyond maternal healthcare to individuals. Value that is co-created includes adherence to antenatal care (ANC), skilled attendance at birth, improved resource planning and service delivery, prevention of complications, knowledge acquisition and sharing. Individual value includes improved productivity, knowledge, decision making and wellbeing. Further investigations on individuals’ preferences of apps that trigger their active participation, value to family and friends and challenges faced when using mHealth apps to co-create value are suggested.

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