A multi-component mhealth group social support and education intervention for postpartum women in India: Feasibility and acceptability study (Preprint)

• DOI: 10.2196/preprints.52187
• Publication Date: 2023-09-06T21:33:24Z
• Authors: Nadia Diamond-Smith; Alison El Ayadi; Rashmi Bagga; Mona Duggal; Jasmeet Kaur; Preetika Sharma; Garima Singh; Alka Ahuja; Vijay Kumar; Dallas Swendeman; Ankita Kankaria; Vaibhav Miglani; Naveen Mutyala; Pushpendra Singh
• Keywords: mHealth; Attendance; Mobile phone

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Introduction: Postpartum care is critical for maternal and infant health. Women in India receive fewer than recommended postpartum visits have limited social support. Through a community engaged process, we developed mobile intervention (mhealth) women that provided health related content brought together groups of calls to promote We describe the feasibility acceptability this intervention, consisting weekly video/phone 6 months postpartum, combined with interactive voice response (IVR) app based audios relevant specific week (including topics such as breastfeeding, complications care, family planning uptake, self-care, stress mental health, etc.). </sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> Objective: To test different modalities digital intervention. <title>METHODS</title> Methods: Recruitment: In 2021, 201 were recruited last 2 pregnancy Punjab, India. randomized into 4 1) only (1 group), 2) IVR 3) Group call+Whatsapp+App (3 groups), 4) call+Whatsapp+IVR compared control. Statistical Analysis: analysed pre/post survey back-end data about engagement group calls, IVR, using descriptive statistics multivariable regression models. <title>RESULTS</title> Results: Most (78%) participants very satisfied, satisfaction system usability scores highest among who received component (group [zoom or voice], WhatsApp App) App. Attendance on was between 4-10 20 invited per call, fairly stable over 8 month App use low less 31% listened half duration. <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> Conclusions: Principal A educational via highly acceptable. While reported high usability, most offered did not listen content. Few ever used it. The stability call participation suggests these acceptable subset women. Limitations: This small pilot study one region India, limiting generalizability. Comparison Prior Work: work reinforces limitations apps found by others, adds our understanding how newer technologies zoom could reach hard populations. Apps IVR-based interventions may be appropriate select subpopulations, however, hold potential warrant further exploration an innovative new direction mhealth interventions. <title>CLINICALTRIAL</title> registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04693585).