Table 2 Specific objectives, topics explored and resulting overall themes and sub-themes

1. To explore how participants perceive and value pregnancy and ANC, since this overall perception influences how individuals perceive pregnancy-related POCTs

• Pregnancy experiences in the community

Good pregnancy-related health and quality ANC, including diagnostic tests, are key to improved maternal and child heath

• Pregnancy is an important, shared experience

• Awareness of, decision making around, experiences with and perceptions of pregnancy-related diagnostic tests

• Pregnancy-related diagnostic tests are valuable for mothers and children

• Male partners and health providers are vital to ensuring pregnant women receive diagnostic tests

2. To explore how participants perceive pregnancy-related POCTs and their preferences for pregnancy-related POCTs

• Characteristics that POCTs should have

Participants have clear preferences regarding pregnancy-related POCTs

• Participants prefer tests for anemia, urinary infections and HIV

• Participants want tests with "certification," blood-based samples and rapid and reliable results

• Types of samples participants know about, propose and prefer

• Well-trained, personable good communicators should administer tests

• How quickly results should be available

• Appropriate people to administer POCTs

• Tests could be performed at different places

• Places where POCTs could be administered

• Short waiting times at the testing site are critical

• Whether and how much participants and people they know would be willing to pay for single- and multiple-condition POCTs

• Many people have some ability to pay, particularly for multiplex tests