Guidelines for developing geographically sensitive mobile health applications

Abstract Background Seventeen (17) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were promulgated in 2016 following the end of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) era. SDG 3 aims to ensure health lives and promote well-being for all ages. Increasing use of geo-enabled mobile health applications can positively contribute to realisation of SDG 3 targets. Health facilities and the communities that require health care are connected by geography. Digital technologies are increasingly becoming an important resource for health services delivery and public health. However, there is a need for a framework that guide the development and deployment for context relevant location based digital technologies. This paper presents recommendations for guidelines that can be adopted for developing geographically sensitive mobile health applications. These guidelines were formulated based on experience from the RoadMApp project in Kwekwe District of Zimbabwe. RoadMApp is an mHealth location aware application that reduces the negative effects of long travel times to health care facilities by pregnant women. Results The guidelines for developing geographically sensitive mobile applications developed starts with user requirements assessment followed by geographic information systems data needs and modelling, database development, and finally frontend mobile application development. Conclusions In line with the new global health policy drive for locally driven and context relevant health interventions, the guidelines present new opportunities that take advantage of the ubiquity of mobile telephony and could be adopted in health policy formulations to contribute to SDG3.