Evaluation of mHealth apps for women of reproductive age: generating evidence to inform best practice

Abstract

Background

Preconception and antenatal care are crucial to improving outcomes. Women of childbearing age use various strategies to receive information including mHealth. It is unknown what works in terms of apps that promote positive behaviour changes; how women access such information; what information women want; and what are the best mHealth apps available in Australia.

Aim

To generate evidence to inform the development and utilisation of preconception and pregnancy-specific mHealth behaviour change interventions.

Methods

Five studies were conducted. Firstly, a systematic review was undertaken to compare the effectiveness of mHealh apps verse standard care in promoting positive behaviour changes preconception. Secondly, a survey of women of reproductive age was done to explore the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and preferences for information about preconception and pregnancy care. Thirdly, a qualitative study was conducted to explore how women access pregnancy information. Fourthly, a study was undertaken to identify and review pregnancy mHealth apps available in Australia. Finally, we retrospectively mapped a high-quality app to examine the important components.

Findings

The systematic review showed no clear benefit in using mHealth apps compared to usual care in promoting positive behaviour changes for women before they are pregnant. The survey showed that women both prior to and during pregnancy access many sources for reproductive health information. The most popular freely available apps for pregnancy in Australia are generally of low quality and are not underpinned by behaviour change theory. The analysis of the development of the UK app Baby Buddy showed that using a behavioural change framework to guide design of mHealth apps is beneficial.

Conclusion

Given that women prefer to receive information from healthcare professionals and access mHealth often, new health strategies must be co-designed with women and clinicians to meet current and future needs.