ZONAS RURALESVIFER RURAL - OFFLINE MODEL - FIRST FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH IN RURAL AREAS

VIFER Rural is a social–technological innovation designed to expand women’s health education, screening, and tele-orientation in rural areas with limited connectivity. The model combines an offline-first mobile application, plain-language audiovisual content, a guided risk “traffic-light” tool, and a portable kit for basic measurements and screenings, operated by community health promoters and linked to local referral pathways. It addresses three persistent gaps: geographic distance and scarce obstetric/gynecologic services, poor internet access, and sociocultural barriers that hinder timely care. Rather than replacing medical attention, VIFER emphasizes local data capture, deferred synchronization, brief counseling, and appropriate referrals.

Methodologically, the paper proposes an action-research pilot: co-design of user flows and culturally adapted content, rapid prototyping of the app, training of promoters, and field evaluation with rural users. Primary indicators include usability (SUS), acceptability, orientation timeliness, number of screenings completed, adherence to scheduled visits, and avoided or better-planned transfers. Ethical safeguards comprise informed consent, privacy-by-design data protection, and minimal-risk ethics review.

Expected outcomes include improved access to counseling, strengthened health literacy, and decision-support evidence for costing and scale-up. Grounded in primary health care principles and aligned with Colombia’s 2022–2031 public health plan, VIFER Rural builds on insights from the 2025 Latin American Innovation Rally and advances toward real-world validation and inter-institutional collaboration.