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Mobile applications for prematurity: a systematic review protocol
Malihe Sadeghi1, Mehdi Kahouei2, Shahrbanoo Pahlevanynejad1
1Department of Health Information Technology, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
Insights
This systematic review examines mobile app usage for improving health outcomes in mothers of premature infants and pregnant women at risk of preterm birth. It synthesizes evidence on the effectiveness of these digital health tools.
Area of Science:
- Maternal and Infant Health
- Digital Health Interventions
- Public Health
Background:
- Premature birth presents a significant global public health challenge.
- Effective counseling and education are crucial for improving outcomes for at-risk pregnant women and mothers of premature infants.
- Mobile applications are increasingly utilized by parents for accessing health information and education.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the usage and effects of a mobile application designed for premature births.
- To improve health outcomes for pregnant women at risk of preterm birth and mothers with premature infants.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review including studies of various designs.
- Comprehensive literature search across multiple databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, etc.) up to May 2021.
- Independent review of citations, MMAT quality assessment, and data extraction following PRISMA guidelines.
Main Results:
- This systematic review will identify and synthesize evidence on the utilization and impact of mobile application interventions.
- The focus is on health improvements for pregnant women at risk of preterm birth and mothers with premature infants.
Conclusions:
- Evidence on the efficacy of mobile applications for improving maternal and infant health outcomes related to preterm birth will be consolidated.
- This review aims to inform the development and implementation of digital health strategies in perinatal care.
Background:
Premature birth is a global epidemic of significant public health concern. Counselling and education of pregnant women at risk of preterm birth or mothers with premature infants are essential to improve mother and infant health. Mobile applications are an increasingly popular tool among parents to receive health information and education. This study aims to evaluate the usages and the effects of a mobile application designed for premature births in order to improve health outcomes.
Methods:
This review will include all studies of different designs which evaluated the use and impact of interventions provided via mobile applications on pregnant women at risk of preterm birth or mothers with premature infants in order to address all health outcomes. A combination of keywords and MeSH(Medical Subject Headings) terms is used in the search strategy. Literature databases including Scopus, PubMed, ISI Web of Science, ProQuest, CINAHL and Cochrane Library will be searched to May 2021. Furthermore, eligible studies will be chosen from the reference list of retrieved papers. Two researchers will independently review the retrieved citations to decide whether they meet the inclusion criteria. Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) V.2018 will be used to assess the quality of studies. Relevant data are collected in a data extraction form and analysed. Results are reported under the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.
Discussion:
This systematic review will recognize and combine evidence about the usages and impact of mobile application interventions on the health improvement of pregnant women at risk of preterm birth or mothers with premature infants.
