A Smartphone-based health behavioral intervention for pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia

Abstract

Context: Iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy is a major health problem and one of the leading causes responsible for maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Aim & study design: A quasi-experimental study design (pre/post-test) was conducted aiming to evaluate the effect of a Smartphone-based health behavioral intervention on pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia. Sample: A purposive sample of 50 pregnant women suffering from iron deficiency anemia was included in the study. Setting: The study was conducted at Antenatal Outpatient clinic at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital. Tools: Three tools were used for data collection I) A structured interviewing questionnaire, II) Maternal knowledge assessment questionnaire), and III) Women reported self-care practice checklists. Result: There was a highly statistically significant improvement in all aspects of pregnant women's knowledge and practice about iron deficiency anemia and their total mean score of hemoglobin level at post intervention compared to pre intervention (P<0.001). Also, there was a positive correlation between pregnant women total knowledge score and total practices score at pre and post intervention (p<0.001). Conclusion: Implementation of a smartphone-based health behavioral intervention has a positive effect on the enhancing pregnant women' knowledge and practices regarding iron deficiency anemia as well as improving hemoglobin level among studied women. Recommendations: Applying a Smartphone-based health behavioral intervention in different settings of maternity health care. Further research is needed to evaluate the effect of a smartphone-based health behavioral intervention regarding iron deficiency anemia on maternal and fetal outcomes.