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Santos-Rocha R, Ferreira M, Pimenta N, Branco M, Oviedo-Caro M, Szumilewicz A. Understanding and Involving the Perspective of Pregnant Women as Users When Designing the Framework of e-Health and Exercise Interventions during Pregnancy: Preliminary Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:1121. [PMID: 38891196 PMCID: PMC11172293 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12111121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Health and exercise technology may promote a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to understand and involve the perspective of pregnant women as users in the design of a framework for future e-health and exercise interventions during pregnancy. Pregnant women replied to a questionnaire aimed at understanding their physical activity patterns, needs, and preferences regarding the use of mobile applications (apps). The main results showed that one-third of the women did not practice any type of exercise during pregnancy. Women preferred to exercise in a gym, outdoors, or at home. The majority already had or were currently using a fitness app, but never used any pregnancy-specific app. Most women agreed that it was important to have a specific app for pregnancy to improve knowledge about recommendations on lifestyle, have direct contact with health and exercise professionals, have social interaction with other mothers, and have guidance on preparation for childbirth and postpartum recovery. Understanding and involving the perspective of pregnant women as users will allow researchers to improve the design of a pregnancy-specific app and future e-health and exercise interventions during pregnancy. These preliminary results will lead to the development of the "active pregnancy app" focused on the promotion of an active and healthy lifestyle during pregnancy and postpartum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Santos-Rocha
- ESDRM—Department of Physical Activity and Health, Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior, Santarém Polytechnic University, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal; (M.F.); (N.P.); (M.B.)
- SPRINT—Sport Physical Activity and Health Research and Innovation Center, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal
- CIPER—Interdisciplinary Centre for the Study of Human Performance, Faculty of Human Kinetics (FMH), University of Lisbon, 1499-002 Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
| | - Mariana Ferreira
- ESDRM—Department of Physical Activity and Health, Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior, Santarém Polytechnic University, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal; (M.F.); (N.P.); (M.B.)
| | - Nuno Pimenta
- ESDRM—Department of Physical Activity and Health, Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior, Santarém Polytechnic University, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal; (M.F.); (N.P.); (M.B.)
- SPRINT—Sport Physical Activity and Health Research and Innovation Center, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal
- CIPER—Interdisciplinary Centre for the Study of Human Performance, Faculty of Human Kinetics (FMH), University of Lisbon, 1499-002 Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
| | - Marco Branco
- ESDRM—Department of Physical Activity and Health, Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior, Santarém Polytechnic University, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal; (M.F.); (N.P.); (M.B.)
- SPRINT—Sport Physical Activity and Health Research and Innovation Center, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal
- CIPER—Interdisciplinary Centre for the Study of Human Performance, Faculty of Human Kinetics (FMH), University of Lisbon, 1499-002 Cruz Quebrada, Portugal
| | - Miguel Oviedo-Caro
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Seville, 41080 Seville, Spain;
| | - Anna Szumilewicz
- Faculty of Physical Education, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, 80-336 Gdansk, Poland;
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Knop MR, Nagashima-Hayashi M, Lin R, Saing CH, Ung M, Oy S, Yam ELY, Zahari M, Yi S. Impact of mHealth interventions on maternal, newborn, and child health from conception to 24 months postpartum in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review. BMC Med 2024; 22:196. [PMID: 38750486 PMCID: PMC11095039 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03417-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mobile health (mHealth) technologies have been harnessed in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to address the intricate challenges confronting maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH). This review aspires to scrutinize the effectiveness of mHealth interventions on MNCH outcomes during the pivotal first 1000 days of life, encompassing the period from conception through pregnancy, childbirth, and post-delivery, up to the age of 2 years. METHODS A comprehensive search was systematically conducted in May 2022 across databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health (CINAHL), Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Trip Pro, to unearth peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2022. The inclusion criteria consisted of (i) mHealth interventions directed at MNCH; (ii) study designs, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), RCT variations, quasi-experimental designs, controlled before-and-after studies, or interrupted time series studies); (iii) reports of outcomes pertinent to the first 1000 days concept; and (iv) inclusion of participants from LMICs. Each study was screened for quality in alignment with the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and the Joanne Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools. The included articles were then analyzed and categorized into 12 mHealth functions and outcome domain categories (antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care), followed by forest plot comparisons of effect measures. RESULTS From the initial pool of 7119 articles, we included 131 in this review, comprising 56 RCTs, 38 cluster-RCTs, and 37 quasi-experimental studies. Notably, 62% of these articles exhibited a moderate or high risk of bias. Promisingly, mHealth strategies, such as dispatching text message reminders to women and equipping healthcare providers with digital planning and scheduling tools, exhibited the capacity to augment antenatal clinic attendance and enhance the punctuality of child immunization. However, findings regarding facility-based delivery, child immunization attendance, and infant feeding practices were inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS This review suggests that mHealth interventions can improve antenatal care attendance and child immunization timeliness in LMICs. However, their impact on facility-based delivery and infant feeding practices varies. Nevertheless, the potential of mHealth to enhance MNCH services in resource-limited settings is promising. More context-specific implementation studies with rigorous evaluations are essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Ravn Knop
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Michiko Nagashima-Hayashi
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ruixi Lin
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chan Hang Saing
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mengieng Ung
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sreymom Oy
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Esabelle Lo Yan Yam
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Marina Zahari
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Siyan Yi
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.
- KHANA Center for Population Health Research, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
- Public Health Program, College of Education and Health Sciences, Touro University California, Vallejo, CA, USA.
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Khatri S, Sharma R. Effective management of sedentary behavior among Indian university students: An empirical exploration into health-related behavior. JOURNAL OF EDUCATION AND HEALTH PROMOTION 2024; 13:131. [PMID: 38784278 PMCID: PMC11114526 DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_1489_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The past few years have witnessed a notable rise in sedentary tendencies, unveiling a modern era of prolonged stillness and diminished physical engagement. This study sought to assess the feasibility of a digital health intervention (DHI) to reduce overall sedentary behavior among university students. The study also identifies distinct subgroups within Indian universities that exhibit a heightened propensity for engaging in unhealthy behaviors. MATERIALS AND METHODS The research design used was a quasi-experimental (pre-post) design. A total of 500 participants were selected using a simple randomized sampling method (250 belonging to the control group and 250 belonging to the experimental group). These participants actively engaged in the study for 2 weeks. The participants completed the Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire (SBQ) before the intervention to evaluate their level of sedentary behavior. To evaluate the impact of the intervention on subjectively measured sedentary behavior, statistical analyses were conducted using the paired-samples t-test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with the post hoc Bonferroni test. RESULTS The findings demonstrated a significant t-value of sedentary behavior for the entire group, with t(249) = 4.88, P < .05. Furthermore, the F-value of 28.787 indicated a statistically significant difference in the sedentary behavior between the experimental and control groups. When considering female university students specifically, the t-value for sedentary behavior was significant at t(105) = 3.22, P < .05, and for male university students, the t-value for sedentary behavior was found to be significant at t(143) = 3.69, P < .05. CONCLUSION Smartphone-based health interventions targeting sedentary behavior reduction demonstrated promising outcomes in facilitating health behavior change among university students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somya Khatri
- School of Liberal Studies, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Raisan, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Ritu Sharma
- School of Liberal Studies, Pandit Deendayal Energy University, Raisan, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
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Perera M, Hawk GS, Nagpal TS, Tinius RA. Social support for exercise from pregnancy to postpartum and the potential impact of a mobile application: A randomized control pilot trial in Southern United States. Prev Med Rep 2023; 36:102485. [PMID: 37954963 PMCID: PMC10637991 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
This study compared perceived social support among women of all body mass index (BMI) categories with an attempt to assess the efficacy of the BumptUp® mobile application to improve social support for exercise during pregnancy and postpartum. Thirty-five pregnant women living in Southern United States were included in the sample. The intervention group received access to the BumptUp® mobile application that was designed to promote physical activity during pregnancy and postpartum. The control group received an evidence-based educational brochure. Perceived social support for exercise was assessed at four-time points using the social support and exercise survey. Outcomes were evaluated at 23-25, 35-37 gestational weeks, and 6 and 12 weeks postpartum. Based on their pre-pregnancy weight and height, BMI was computed to categorize participants into lean, overweight, and obese groups. Social support across BMI categories and between control and intervention groups were compared using linear mixed-effect models. Women grouped in the overweight and obese BMI categories reported receiving significantly lower levels of social support for exercise than women in the lean category throughout pregnancy and postpartum during mid-pregnancy, late pregnancy, and at 12 weeks postpartum (p < 0.05). Although the intervention group received higher social support than the control group throughout all four assessment points, the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Women with a pre-pregnancy BMI of overweight and obese received lower social support for exercise during pregnancy and postpartum. The efficacy of BumptUp® to improve perceived social support for exercise in pregnancy and postpartum was not evident in the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhawa Perera
- Exercise Science, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA
| | - Gregory S. Hawk
- Department of Statistics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
| | - Taniya S. Nagpal
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Rachel A. Tinius
- Exercise Science, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101, USA
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Shang X, Ye L, Gu X, Zhou A, Xu Y, Zhang Y, Liao Y, Li L. Attitudes and Barriers to Physical Activity and Exercise Self-Efficacy Among Chinese Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Multidiscip Healthc 2023; 16:3561-3573. [PMID: 38024132 PMCID: PMC10676646 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s441210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Most pregnant women do not reach the recommendation for physical activity (PA). As a subcategory of PA, exercise is also essential. Evidence on pregnant women's attitudes and barriers to PA and exercise self-efficacy in China is scarce. Aim To explore the levels and influencing factors of attitudes and barriers to PA and exercise self-efficacy among pregnant women. Methods A cross-sectional study of 311 pregnant women was conducted from August to December 2022. Individual characteristics, pregnant women's attitudes toward exercise, barriers to prenatal PA and exercise, and exercise self-efficacy were measured using the self-designed demographic questionnaire, pregnant women's attitudes toward exercise questionnaire, barriers to prenatal PA and exercise questionnaire, and the pregnancy exercise self-efficacy scale, respectively. Results More than 90% of pregnant women believed exercise benefits themselves and their babies, and 40.8% of pregnant women did not know how to exercise. Women encounter different types of barriers to PA and exercise. Intrapersonal barriers included the proportion of feelings of tiredness (56.6%), low energy (54.7%), lack of interest or motivation (49.2%), feelings of illness and morning sickness (46.6%), and large body weight (43.7%). Interpersonal barriers included pregnant women being advised to avoid PA and exercise (49.2%), lack of clear advice about the intensity and dose of exercise (41.8%), no one to exercise with (38.9%), and lack of advice from healthcare professionals (38.6%). Weather conditions were the most significant environmental barriers (41.2%). The total score of pregnancy exercise self-efficacy was (38.50±7.33). Education level, parity, and attitudes toward exercise independently predict pregnant women's attitudes toward exercise, barriers to prenatal PA and exercise, and exercise self-efficacy, respectively. Conclusion Pregnant women have a favorable attitude toward exercise and relatively good exercise self-efficacy but lack knowledge of exercise. They face numerous barriers. Medical professionals should encourage pregnant women with lower levels of education to exercise and assist multipara in overcoming obstacles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingchen Shang
- School of Nursing, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- School of Nursing, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Linfei Ye
- School of Nursing, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaohua Gu
- Delivery Room, Yangzhou Maternal and Child Care Service Centre, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Aihua Zhou
- Delivery Room, Taizhou Second People’s Hospital, Taizhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yunmei Xu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Baoying People’s Hospital, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yiran Zhang
- School of Nursing, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuexia Liao
- School of Nursing, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Nursing, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
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Pouriayevali B, Ehteshami A, Kohan S, Saghaeiannejad Isfahani S. Mothers' views on mobile health in self-care for pregnancy: A step towards mobile application development. JOURNAL OF EDUCATION AND HEALTH PROMOTION 2023; 12:308. [PMID: 38023089 PMCID: PMC10670861 DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_534_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Applications for pregnancy self-care (APSC) can improve post-partum by empowering pregnant women's status quo. This study endeavored to identify the operational needs of an application (app) from the perspective of Iranian pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a qualitative manner, semi-structured and face-to-face interviews were conducted using an interview guide. Interviewees were pregnant women who encountered to health facilities of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences for prenatal care and were willing to be interviewed. The interviews were conducted from June 2019 to June 2021. All the recorded interviews were transcribed. The obtained data were analyzed through conventional content analysis using MAXQDA 12 (Developer: VERBI GmbH Release: 2015 Version: 12 OS: Microsoft Windows Type: Qualitative Data Analysis - Offline). Data saturation was obtained after 14 interviews. One of the researchers, as a data encoder, became acquainted with them by immersing himself in the data. After the data was first encoded and summarized, the codes were analyzed. In addition, an attempt was made to reduce the impact of researchers' experiences at different stages of the study process. RESULTS Based on the opinions of pregnant women, 7 main themes (nutrition, training, fatal monitoring, relaxation, health, risk factors, physical activity) and 38 sub-themes were identified for APSC development. The findings revealed that pregnant women tend to use APSC, but because they are not comprehensive, women search the Internet to answer some of their information needs. CONCLUSIONS The findings can be useful in developing a comprehensive pregnancy self-care mobile application that is localized based on the operational needs of pregnant women to make them capable and self-caring in controlling pre-risk situations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnaz Pouriayevali
- Department of Management and Health Information Technology, School of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Asghar Ehteshami
- Department of Management and Health Information Technology, Health Information Technology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Shahnaz Kohan
- Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Sakineh Saghaeiannejad Isfahani
- Department of Management and Health Information Technology, Health Information Technology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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Al-Dahshan A, Kehyayan V, Al-Kubaisi N, Selim N. Utilization of the internet for physical activity and diet information and its influence on pregnant women's lifestyle habits in Qatar. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1272109. [PMID: 37829092 PMCID: PMC10564989 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1272109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Maintaining a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy is essential. With the increasing availability of the internet, pregnant women have access to a wealth of information related to physical activity (PA) and healthy diets. Objectives The study aims to investigate the extent of internet usage by pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Qatar to obtain information about PA and healthy diets, identify associated factors, and evaluate the impact of this information on their lifestyle habits. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in six randomly selected public antenatal clinics in Qatar. Pregnant women aged ≥18 years in any trimester were recruited using a probability sampling technique. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Descriptive and analytic statistics were employed for data analysis. Results A total of 327 pregnant women (mean age of 29.5 years ± 4.0) completed and returned the questionnaire (response rate: 87.5%). Among the participants, 54.5% used the internet to obtain information about PA, while 72% sought online diet-related information. Factors such as age (26-35 years), tertiary education, employment status, and being primigravidae were associated with a higher likelihood of using the internet for healthy lifestyles information. Participants who reported using the internet for PA information a great deal were more likely to increase their PA during pregnancy compared to those who used it somewhat or very little (57.6, 26.8, and 5.0%, p < 0.001; respectively). Similarly, those who used the internet for diet information a great deal were more likely to increase their fruit and vegetable consumption compared to those who used it somewhat, or very little (84.2, 68.5, and 63.6%, p = 0.038; respectively). Also, participants who used the internet for diet information a great deal were more likely to decrease the amount of sugary and fatty foods they ate compared to women who used the internet somewhat or very little (61.4, 45.2, and 18.2%, p < 0.001; respectively) and (50.9, 30.4, and 18.2%, p = 0.001; respectively). Conclusion Many pregnant women use the internet to access information about PA and diet, and greater use is associated with more positive lifestyle changes. This study provides useful information to consider when designing intervention programs for pregnant women about adopting and maintaining healthy lifestyles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayman Al-Dahshan
- Department of Medical Education, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Vahe Kehyayan
- University of Doha for Science and Technology, Doha, Qatar
| | - Noora Al-Kubaisi
- Department of Clinical Affairs, Primary Health Care Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Nagah Selim
- Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Moise IK, Ivanova N, Wilson C, Wilson S, Halwindi H, Spika VM. Lessons from digital technology-enabled health interventions implemented during the coronavirus pandemic to improve maternal and birth outcomes: a global scoping review. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:195. [PMID: 36941565 PMCID: PMC10026210 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05454-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Timely access to essential obstetric and gynecologic healthcare is an effective method for improving maternal and neonatal outcomes; however, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted pregnancy care globally. In this global scoping review, we select and investigate peer-reviewed empirical studies related to mHealth and telehealth implemented during the pandemic to support pregnancy care and to improve birth outcomes. METHODS We searched MEDLINE and PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL and Web of Science for this Review because they include peer-reviewed literature in the disciplines of behavioral sciences, medicine, clinical sciences, health-care systems, and psychology. Because our investigative searches reviewed that there is considerable 'grey literature' in this area; we did not restrict our review to any study design, methods, or place of publication. In this Review, peer-reviewed preprints were comparable to published peer-reviewed articles, with relevant articles screened accordingly. RESULTS The search identified 1851 peer reviewed articles, and after removal of duplicates, using inclusion and exclusion criteria, only 22 studies were eligible for inclusion in the review published from January 2020 to May 2022. mHealth interventions accounted for 72.7% (16 of 22 studies) and only 27.3% (6 of 22 studies) were telehealth studies. There were only 3 example studies that integrated digital technologies into healthcare systems and only 3 studies that developed and evaluated the feasibility of mobile apps. Experimental studies accounted 68.8% of mHealth studies and only 33.3% studies of telehealth studies. Key functionalities of the pregnancy apps and telehealth platforms focused on mental and physical wellness, health promotion, patient tracking, health education, and parenting support. Implemented interventions ranged from breastfeeding and selfcare to behavioral health. Facilitators of uptake included perceived benefits, user satisfaction and convenience. Mobile apps and short messaging services were the primary technologies employed in the implemented mHealth interventions. CONCLUSION Although our Review emphasizes a lack of studies on mHealth interventions and data from pregnant women during the COVID-19 crisis, the review shows that implementation of digital health interventions during emergencies are inevitable given their potential for supporting pregnancy care. There is also a need for more randomized clinical trials and longitudinal studies to better understand the effectiveness and feasibility of implementing such interventions during disease outbreaks and emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imelda K Moise
- Department of Geography & Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Miami, 1300 Campo Sano Ave, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA.
| | - Nicole Ivanova
- Global Health Studies Program, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Miami, 1252 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146, USA
| | - Cyril Wilson
- Department of Geography & Anthropology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI, 54702-4004, USA
| | - Sigmond Wilson
- Department of History & Political Science, Rogers State University, 1701 W. Will Rogers Blvd, Claremore, OK, 74017, USA
| | - Hikabasa Halwindi
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Zambia, P.O Box 50110, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Vera M Spika
- University of Miami, 1300 Memorial Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA
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