Internet-Based Interventions for Preventing Premature Birth Among Pregnant Women: Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Maternal Health
• Preventive Medicine

Background:

• Premature birth rates are increasing globally, necessitating effective prevention strategies.
• Internet-based interventions offer accessible and engaging approaches to address risk factors.
• The efficacy of these digital health tools in preventing premature birth requires thorough evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review study designs and assess the effectiveness of internet-based interventions for preventing premature birth in pregnant women.
• To identify the types of studies and evaluate the impact of digital health interventions on maternal and fetal outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive systematic search of multiple databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library) was performed.
• Included randomized trials and quasi-experimental studies published until February 2023, with no language or geographical restrictions.
• Risk of bias was assessed using the revised Cochrane RoB tool (RoB 2); meta-analysis was not conducted due to heterogeneity.

Main Results:

• The review included 26 articles with varied populations (e.g., GDM, anxiety, depression).
• Interventions effectively reduced stress but showed inconsistent results for anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.
• While blood sugar control improved in women with GDM, premature birth incidence was not reduced across populations.

Conclusions:

• Internet-based interventions show potential for improving psychosocial health and glycemic control in pregnant women.
• Effectiveness varies significantly across different risk factors and outcomes.
• Further rigorous clinical trials are essential to optimize and validate these digital interventions for widespread clinical use in preventing premature birth.