Acceptability and use of the Saving Mothers mPOWHER Maternal Health Kit

This qualitative study explored and assessed the relevance and usability of the Saving Mothers mPOWHER Mom's Kit to meet Black pregnant women's needs for information and knowledge of maternal health risks, building communication skills, and empowerment.

The study consisted of 24 in-depth interviews with women who had received and used the Kit.

The Kit was very well-received, with women appreciating the overall value of the tools and information. The blood pressure cuff and Fitbit were particularly valued for their role in the women's daily health monitoring. In many cases women were able to report specific blood pressure readings to their provider. Most of the women had gaps in their knowledge of the specific risks associated with, for example, high blood pressure. When asked about possible new tools for the Mom's Kit, women suggested two areas of improvement: 1) mental health/postpartum, and 2) a place/journal for personal reflection/inspiration and aspirations.

The mPOWHER Mom's Kit shows much promise in meeting the needs of Black pregnant women in the areas of maternal health literacy, provider communication, and empowerment. Limitations include that only English-speaking women were interviewed. Future iterations of the Kit will include additional resources on mental health and self-care, developed through a collaborative process with the target community. Overall, the findings provided Saving Mothers with clear and actionable next steps for refinements and enhancements of the mPOWHER Kit.