The Role of Technology in Health Management

Mobile Applications for Health Support

Technology is increasingly integrated into our daily lives, particularly in health management. Mobile applications (apps) serve as valuable tools for individuals seeking guidance on health issues and concerns.

The Health-e Babies Pregnancy App

The Health-e Babies app was designed specifically to assist low-income women during the early stages of pregnancy, aiming to enhance their confidence regarding their pregnancy journey.

Study Overview and Participation Challenges

A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the app’s effectiveness, but it faced significant challenges, with only 24% of the initial participants completing the study. Researchers published findings in PLOS One, analyzing the study’s design and participant data to explore reasons for the low retention rate.

Participants included women aged 18 and older, who were between 10 to 14 weeks pregnant and owned Android devices. During their first appointment, participants received instructions on downloading the app and submitting personal information, alongside a contact number for technical support. However, they were required to navigate the app’s functionalities independently.

Participants completed questionnaires at both the start and conclusion of the study, covering personal details like socioeconomic status, mental health, maternal attachment, confidence in parenting, and their ability to access health information.

Study Participation Statistics

Out of 124 women who began the study, many faced obstacles such as difficulties downloading the app, lack of use of available technical support, lost phones, or failure to complete final questionnaires. Consequently, only 30 women finished the study. The majority of these participants were Caucasian Australians, averaging 25 years of age, and had no prior childbirth experience.

Findings and Comparisons Between Groups

The results were divided into two groups: the 94 women who did not complete the study and the 30 who did. Both groups reported similar levels of attachment to their unborn child, confidence in obtaining pregnancy information, and parenting confidence. However, differences emerged in mental health status, employment, and prior use of pregnancy apps.

The group of 94 women exhibited higher unemployment rates, increased anxiety levels, and less frequent use of pregnancy apps before the study compared to the group of 30.

Study Limitations and Implications

Several limitations affected the study’s outcomes. The app was exclusively available for Android devices, and participants lacked Wi-Fi access for downloading the app during the initial stages of the study. Additionally, researchers could not track the specific information each user sought while using the app.

Overall, the study highlights that socioeconomic status and mental health may significantly influence a woman’s engagement with mobile pregnancy apps. It underscores the challenges that disadvantaged individuals may face in accessing essential health information.

Reference

Dalton, J.A., Rodger, D., Wilmore, M., Humphreys, S., Skuse, A., Roberts, C.T., & Clifton, V.L. (2018). The Health-e Babies App for antenatal education: Feasibility for socially disadvantaged women. PLoS ONE, 13(5): e0194337. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194337