GorbhoKotha: a mHealth App for Maternal Support in Bangladesh Utilizing User-Centered Design Principles

With the advancement of technology, there is a growing need for accessible and user-friendly smartphone mobile health (mHealth) apps that can provide antenatal and postpartum care guidance in Bangladesh. However, many existing solutions are not user-friendly and lack the feasibility of receiving care when needed, particularly for women knowing only Bangla. To address these challenges, this work proposes "GorbhoKotha", a mHealth app prototype that is designed to provide accurate and reliable information during pregnancy and infant care in Bangladesh. The app features include a chatbot capable of responding to users’ inquiries, along with carefully selected articles on maintaining good health during pregnancy and caring for newborns. The app also includes services like searching for nearby pharmacies and hospitals, recommending diet and exercise, and emergency dialing for any situation. To guarantee the usability and inclusivity of the "GorbhoKotha" app, we have included concepts of User-Centered Design (UCD) in our design process. Utilizing the UCD approach, we prioritize the needs and preferences of our users to create a solution that is both effective and accessible. A user study with target stakeholders highlights diverse demands among participants for a pregnancy-related system, emphasizing features including hospital locators, emergency chatbots, bilingual support, dietary guidance, and health management information.