@Article{info:doi/10.2196/64831,
author="Berends-Hoekstra, Wikje
and Homburg, Maarten
and Oenema, Anke
and Berends, Simeon Matthijs
and Peters, Lilian",
title="Impact of COVID-19 on Dutch General Practitioner Prenatal Primary Care: Retrospective, Observational Cohort Study Using an Interrupted Time-Series Approach",
journal="JMIR Pediatr Parent",
year="2025",
month="May",
day="27",
volume="8",
pages="e64831",
keywords="pregnant women",
keywords="COVID-19 pandemic",
keywords="general practitioner",
keywords="GP",
keywords="health care--seeking behavior",
keywords="interrupted time-series analysis",
keywords="health policy",
keywords="primary care",
abstract="Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted primary health care--seeking behavior of the general population. The extent to which health care--seeking behavior of pregnant women in general practitioner (GP) care was affected remains largely unknown. The unique health care needs of pregnant women necessitate regular monitoring and care to ensure the well-being of expectant mothers, fetuses, and neonates, as timely interventions and screenings can profoundly influence the long-term health outcomes. Understanding how pandemic-related changes have influenced pregnant women's primary health care--seeking behavior is essential for developing targeted interventions and informing policy decisions to improve health outcomes for expectant mothers, fetuses, and neonates, both during public health emergencies and in routine health care settings. Objective: This study aims to examine the impact of different COVID-19 pandemic phases on health care--seeking behavior among pregnant women in Dutch GP practices throughout 2020 and 2021. By analyzing clinical electronic health record (EHR) GP data, we aim to evaluate the health care consumption, occurrence of pregnancy-relevant symptoms and diagnoses, and types of contact (ie, regular consultations, phone consultations, home visits, and digital consultations) during different pandemic phases. Methods: Using a retrospective cohort design, EHRs of selected pregnant women from 3 Dutch GP networks between 2019 and 2021 were analyzed, comparing 6 pandemic phases divided into 13 subphases with a prepandemic phase. Contact rates were analyzed by interrupted time-series analyses, pregnancy-relevant symptoms, and diagnoses by comparing the frequency of pregnancy-relevant International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC) code registrations and type of contact by descriptive statistics. Results: In total, 10,985 pregnant women were included, yielding 39,023 patient-GP contacts. Contact rates fluctuated significantly across pandemic phases, with the sharpest declines at the onset and the end of the pandemic. Pregnancy-relevant symptoms and diagnosis in the category related to pregnancy showed the highest variability across the pandemic phases, such as an increase in the frequency of health care consumption concerning gestational diabetes mellitus and nausea or vomiting of pregnancy. Detailed statistical results are reported in the main text. Contacts for symptoms and diagnosis like digestive or urinary tract problems did not fluctuate across the pandemic phases. The number of physical contacts decreased, while telephone contacts increased. Conclusions: By analyzing EHR data from over 10,000 pregnant women, this study highlights the pandemic's impact on pregnant women's GP health care--seeking behavior, including declining health care consumption trends during the initial and end phases of the pandemic (2020?2021). The observed increase in GDM and its potential long-term effects underscore the need for enhanced public health strategies within GP practices, ensuring continuous access to prenatal care and striving for improved outcomes of expectant mothers, their fetuses, and neonates during times of pandemics and in routine health care settings. ",
doi="10.2196/64831",
url="https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2025/1/e64831"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/69838,
author="Nguyen Tien, Dung
and Thi Thu Bui, Huong
and Hoang Thi Ngoc, Tram
and Thi Pham, Thuy
and Trung Nguyen, Dac
and Nguyen Thi Thu, Huyen
and Thu Hang Vu, Thi
and Lan Anh Luong, Thi
and Thu Hoang, Lan
and Cam Tu, Ho
and K{\"o}rber, Nina
and Bauer, Tanja
and Khanh Ho, Lam",
title="A Data-Driven Approach to Assessing Hepatitis B Mother-to-Child Transmission Risk Prediction Model: Machine Learning Perspective",
journal="JMIR Form Res",
year="2025",
month="May",
day="23",
volume="9",
pages="e69838",
keywords="chronic hepatitis B virus infection",
keywords="liver",
keywords="pregnant women",
keywords="cord blood",
keywords="PBMCs (peripheral blood mononuclear cells)",
keywords="ID3 (Iterative Dichotomiser 3)",
keywords="CART (classification and regression trees)",
abstract="Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can be transmitted from mother to child either through transplacental infection or via blood-to-blood contact during or immediately after delivery. Early and accurate risk assessments are essential for guiding clinical decisions and implementing effective preventive measures. Data mining techniques are powerful tools for identifying key predictors in medical diagnostics. Objective: This study aims to develop a robust predictive model for mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HBV using decision tree algorithms, specifically Iterative Dichotomiser 3 (ID3) and classification and regression trees (CART). The study identifies clinically and paraclinically relevant predictors, particularly hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) status and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) concentration, for effective risk stratification and prevention. Additionally, we will assess the model's reliability and generalizability through cross-validation with various training-test split ratios, aiming to enhance its applicability in clinical settings and inform improved preventive strategies against HBV MTCT. Methods: This study used decision tree algorithms---ID3 and CART---on a data set of 60 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)--positive pregnant women. Samples were collected either before or at the time of delivery, enabling the inclusion of patients who were undiagnosed or had limited access to treatment. We analyzed both clinical and paraclinical parameters, with a particular focus on HBeAg status and PBMC concentration. Additional biochemical markers were evaluated for their potential contributory or inhibitory effects on MTCT risk. The predictive models were validated using multiple training-test split ratios to ensure robustness and generalizability. Results: Our analysis showed that 20 out of 48 (based on a split ratio of 0.8 from a total of 60 cases, 42\%) to 27 out of 57 (based on a split ratio of 0.95 from a total of 60 cases, 47\%) training cases with HBeAg-positive status were associated with a significant risk of MTCT of HBV ($\chi$28=21.16, P=.007, df=8). Among HBeAg-negative women, those with PBMC concentrations ?8 {\texttimes} 106 cells/mL exhibited a low risk of MTCT, whereas individuals with PBMC concentrations <8 {\texttimes} 106 cells/mL demonstrated a negligible risk. Across all training-test split ratios, the decision tree models consistently identified HBeAg status and PBMC concentration as the most influential predictors, underscoring their robustness and critical role in MTCT risk stratification. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that decision tree models are effective tools for stratifying the risk of MTCT of HBV by integrating key clinical and paraclinical markers. Among these, HBeAg status and PBMC concentration emerged as the most critical predictors. While the analysis focused on untreated patients, it provides a strong foundation for future investigations involving treated populations. These findings offer actionable insights to support the development of more targeted and effective HBV MTCT prevention strategies. ",
doi="10.2196/69838",
url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e69838"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/68084,
author="Wang, Juan
and Yang, Qiuhong
and Cui, Naixue
and Wu, Liuliu
and Zhang, Xuan
and Sun, Yaoyao
and Huang, Yongqi
and Cao, Fenglin",
title="Effectiveness and Mechanisms of a Digital Mindfulness--Based Intervention for Subthreshold to Clinical Insomnia Symptoms in Pregnant Women: Randomized Controlled Trial",
journal="J Med Internet Res",
year="2025",
month="May",
day="5",
volume="27",
pages="e68084",
keywords="digital interventions",
keywords="mindfulness-based interventions",
keywords="pregnant women",
keywords="prenatal insomnia",
keywords="sleep during pregnancy",
keywords="randomized controlled trial",
keywords="mechanisms of change",
abstract="Background: Prenatal insomnia symptoms are prevalent, debilitating, and largely untreated; yet, there is a lack of empirically supported and accessible interventions. Mindfulness-based interventions have been theoretically hypothesized to alleviate insomnia symptoms by counteracting adverse sleep-related cognitive and behavioral processes, although few studies have tested them. Objective: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness and potential mechanisms of a digital mindfulness-based intervention targeted at prenatal insomnia (dMBI-PI) in reducing insomnia symptoms. Methods: A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted from October 2021 to February 2023. A total of 160 eligible pregnant women (mean age 30.54, SD 3.86 years) with subthreshold to clinical insomnia symptoms (corresponding to a score of ?8 on the Insomnia Severity Index) were recruited from obstetrics clinics and then randomized 1:1 into the intervention group (the 6-week dMBI-PI plus standardized care) or the control group (standardized care). The primary outcome was the insomnia symptoms assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, 2 months after the intervention (approximately the third trimester), and 42 days post partum. The secondary outcomes included insomnia remission rates and reliable change rates, sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset, total sleep time, sleep efficiency, sleep quality, fatigue symptoms, daytime sleepiness, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. The hypothesized mediators included sleep-specific rumination, sleep-specific worry, presleep arousal, sleep-related attentional bias, and maladaptive behaviors. All outcomes were self-assessed through web-based questionnaires. Linear mixed model analysis was conducted to examine the dMBI-PI's effects. Results: Compared with the control group, the intervention group had significantly greater improvements in insomnia symptoms from baseline to the end of the intervention (mean between-group difference --2.02, 95\% CI --3.42 to --0.62; P=.005; Cohen d=0.46, 95\% CI 0.01-0.92) and from baseline to the third trimester (mean between-group difference --2.02, 95\% CI --3.42 to --0.61; P=.005; Cohen d=0.46, 95\% CI 0.01-0.92), but a beneficial effect was not observed post partum. The intervention group had a significantly increased likelihood of achieving insomnia remission or reliable change at the third trimester; however, we did not observe significant between-group differences in the changes in most secondary outcomes. The changes in adverse cognitive and behavioral processes (mainly sleep-specific worry and presleep arousal) significantly mediated the dMBI-PI's effect on prenatal insomnia symptoms. Conclusions: The dMBIs showed significant short-term benefits for prenatal insomnia symptoms by mitigating sleep-specific worry and presleep arousal and may therefore hold promise as a first-step, pragmatic, and accessible option for pregnant women at risk of insomnia. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Register (ChiCTR) ChiCTR2100052269; https://tinyurl.com/4bb8f7ah ",
doi="10.2196/68084",
url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e68084"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/71708,
author="Jimenez-Barragan, Marta
and Del Pino Gutierrez, Amparo
and Sauch Valma{\~n}a, Gloria
and Monistrol, Olga
and Monge Marcet, Carme
and Pallarols Badia, Mar
and Garrido, Ignasi
and Carmona Ruiz, Anna
and Porta Roda, Oriol
and Esquinas, Cristina
and Falguera Puig, Gemma",
title="Immersive Virtual Reality eHealth Intervention to Reduce Anxiety and Depression in Pregnant Women: Randomized Controlled Trial",
journal="JMIR Hum Factors",
year="2025",
month="Apr",
day="30",
volume="12",
pages="e71708",
keywords="virtual reality",
keywords="eHealth",
keywords="pregnancy",
keywords="mental health",
keywords="anxiety",
keywords="depression",
keywords="randomized controlled trial",
keywords="antenatal care",
abstract="Background: Mental health during pregnancy is a critical factor influencing maternal and fetal outcomes. Anxiety and depression affect up to 30\% of pregnant women, with significant consequences for maternal well-being and child development. Despite this, interventions during pregnancy remain limited, creating a need for innovative, accessible solutions. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an immersive virtual reality (IVR) eHealth intervention in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms in women during pregnancy. Methods: A 2-arm, randomized controlled trial was conducted across 5 primary care centers in Catalonia, Spain, between October 2021 and May 2024. The study included pregnant women (N=70) aged ?18 years with moderate anxiety and depression symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale [EPDS] scores: 9-12) at 12 to 14 weeks of gestation. They were randomly assigned (1:1) to an IVR intervention or standard care group. The intervention group engaged in daily 14-minute IVR mindfulness and relaxation sessions for 6 weeks. Mental health outcomes were assessed using the EPDS and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results: The intervention group demonstrated significant reductions in EPDS scores, with a mean decrease from 11.32 (SD 0.96) to 7.25 (SD 1.32; P<.001), compared to an increase in the control group from 11.32 (SD 0.94) to 16.23 (SD 1.25; P<.001). Similarly, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory scores improved markedly in the intervention group (mean decrease from 57.94, SD 5.23 to 35.03, SD 6.12; coefficient --30.47, 95\% CI ?45.23 to ?15.72; P<.001), while the control group experienced a nonsignificant increase (from 66.10, SD 5.89 to 72.91, SD 6.34; P=.68). High adherence rates were observed, with 79\% (26/33) of participants completing ?30 sessions. Participant satisfaction was high, with 87\% (29/33) reporting being ``very satisfied'' with the intervention. Conclusions: The IVR eHealth intervention significantly reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, demonstrating its potential as an accessible and effective tool for mental health support during pregnancy. High adherence and satisfaction levels underscore its feasibility and acceptability. Future research should explore the long-term effects and scalability of IVR interventions in diverse settings. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05756205; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05756205 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.1186/s12912-023-01440-4 ",
doi="10.2196/71708",
url="https://humanfactors.jmir.org/2025/1/e71708"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/57019,
author="Ishaque, Sana
and Ela, Ola
and Dowling, Anna
and Rissel, Chris
and Canuto, Karla
and Hall, Kerry
and Bidargaddi, Niranjan
and Briley, Annette
and Roberts, T. Claire
and Bonevski, Billie",
title="Mobile Health Interventions for Modifying Indigenous Maternal and Child--Health Related Behaviors: Systematic Review",
journal="J Med Internet Res",
year="2025",
month="Apr",
day="30",
volume="27",
pages="e57019",
keywords="Indigenous",
keywords="co-design",
keywords="mother",
keywords="children",
keywords="digital health",
keywords="mobile health",
keywords="mHealth",
keywords="interventions",
keywords="child health",
keywords="maternal health",
keywords="behavior",
keywords="systematic review",
keywords="effectiveness",
keywords="lifestyle",
keywords="postpartum",
keywords="articles",
keywords="literature",
keywords="screening",
keywords="PRISMA",
abstract="Background: Mobile health (mHealth) interventions promoting healthy lifestyle changes offer an adaptable and inexpensive method for accessing health information but require cultural appropriateness and suitability for acceptance and effectiveness in Indigenous populations. No systematic review on effective mHealth interventions for Indigenous women during pregnancy and the early childhood years has been conducted. Objective: This review evaluated the effectiveness of mHealth interventions promoting healthy behaviors for Indigenous mothers and children from conception to 5 years post partum. It also aimed to explore the observed effectiveness differences based on participant engagement, intervention design, and provision of context. Further, the review explored if the interventions were co-designed. Methods: A systematic search of 5 databases was conducted: SCOPUS, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and ProQuest (Dissertation or Thesis). Studies were included if they were either a randomized controlled trial, pre-post comparison, or a cohort study using mHealth with Indigenous women for maternal and child health following a preregistered PROSPERO protocol (CRD42023395710). HealthInfoNet was searched for gray literature and the reference lists of included studies were hand searched. The initial title and abstract screen for eligibility were performed by 1 reviewer. A full-text screen of eligible studies and a quality appraisal of included studies was performed by 2 reviewers independently. The appraisal tools used were the Mixed Methods Quality Appraisal Tool and the Centre of Excellence in Aboriginal Chronic Disease Knowledge Translation and Exchange (CREATE). A descriptive synthesis of the extracted data was performed. Results: Of the 663 articles screened, only 3 met the eligibility criteria. Each paper evaluated a different mHealth intervention: Remote Prenatal Education; the SMS Parent Action Intervention (two-way text messaging); and the Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) eCHECKUP To Go (web-based screening and intervention). Statistically significant changes were reported in some outcomes, including an increase in the parental participation rate in face-to-face prenatal education; increased rate of breastfeeding initiation and exclusive breastfeeding (2-12 months); improved overall children's behavior related to sleep, diet, physical activity, screen time, and intake of sugary beverages; improved individual children's behavior related to physical activity and sleep; and decrease in alcohol drinks per week and binge drinking episodes per 2 weeks due to time effect. However, no study provided a sample size calculation for the reported significant outcomes. Also, due to the small number of included studies and each study evaluating a different intervention, it was not possible to combine results to ascertain if the participant engagement, intervention design, or community context had any impact on the effectiveness. Conclusions: Due to the lack of sample size calculation, it was not possible to establish whether differences in the effectiveness were due to the interventions or a type I statistical error. Therefore, caution is required in the interpretation of these findings. Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD42023395710; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42023395710 ",
doi="10.2196/57019",
url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e57019",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40305103"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/58454,
author="Leitner, Kirstin
and Cutri-French, Clare
and Mandel, Abigail
and Christ, Lori
and Koelper, Nathaneal
and McCabe, Meaghan
and Seltzer, Emily
and Scalise, Laura
and Colbert, A. James
and Dokras, Anuja
and Rosin, Roy
and Levine, Lisa",
title="A Conversational Agent Using Natural Language Processing for Postpartum Care for New Mothers: Development and Engagement Analysis",
journal="JMIR AI",
year="2025",
month="Apr",
day="22",
volume="4",
pages="e58454",
keywords="conversational agent",
keywords="postpartum care",
keywords="text messaging",
keywords="postpartum",
keywords="natural language processing",
keywords="pregnancy",
keywords="parents",
keywords="newborns",
keywords="development",
keywords="patient engagement",
keywords="physical recovery",
keywords="infant",
keywords="infant care",
keywords="survey",
keywords="breastfeeding",
keywords="support",
keywords="patient support",
keywords="patient satisfaction",
abstract="Background: The ``fourth trimester,'' or postpartum time period, remains a critical phase of pregnancy that significantly impacts parents and newborns. Care poses challenges due to complex individual needs as well as low attendance rates at routine appointments. A comprehensive technological solution could provide a holistic and equitable solution to meet care goals. Objective: This paper describes the development of patient engagement data with a novel postpartum conversational agent that uses natural language processing to support patients post partum. Methods: We report on the development of a postpartum conversational agent from concept to usable product as well as the patient engagement with this technology. Content for the program was developed using patient- and provider-based input and clinical algorithms. Our program offered 2-way communication to patients and details on physical recovery, lactation support, infant care, and warning signs for problems. This was iterated upon by our core clinical team and an external expert clinical panel before being tested on patients. Patients eligible for discharge around 24 hours after delivery who had delivered a singleton full-term infant vaginally were offered use of the program. Patient demographics, accuracy, and patient engagement were collected over the first 6 months of use. Results: A total of 290 patients used our conversational agent over the first 6 months, of which 112 (38.6\%) were first time parents and 162 (56\%) were Black. In total, 286 (98.6\%) patients interacted with the platform at least once, 271 patients (93.4\%) completed at least one survey, and 151 (52\%) patients asked a question. First time parents and those breastfeeding their infants had higher rates of engagement overall. Black patients were more likely to promote the program than White patients (P=.047). The overall accuracy of the conversational agent during the first 6 months was 77\%. Conclusions: It is possible to develop a comprehensive, automated postpartum conversational agent. The use of such a technology to support patients postdischarge appears to be acceptable with very high engagement and patient satisfaction. ",
doi="10.2196/58454",
url="https://ai.jmir.org/2025/1/e58454"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/60417,
author="Lim, Yin Han
and Mohammad Fadzil, Adi Mohammad
and Mustar, Suraiami
and Abdul Shukor, Hassan Imanul
and Mohamed, Syazani Wan Ahmad",
title="The Impact of Long-Chain Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation in Pregnant Women Toward the Intelligence Status of Early Childhood: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis",
journal="JMIR Res Protoc",
year="2025",
month="Apr",
day="17",
volume="14",
pages="e60417",
keywords="antenatal",
keywords="long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation",
keywords="pregnant women",
keywords="systematic reviews",
keywords="pregnant",
keywords="pregnancy",
keywords="maternal",
keywords="maternity",
keywords="infant",
keywords="babies",
keywords="nutrition",
keywords="fish oil",
keywords="docosahexaenoic acid",
keywords="eicosapentaenoic acid",
keywords="supplements",
keywords="cognition",
keywords="attention",
keywords="motor skills",
keywords="languages",
keywords="behaviors",
keywords="vision",
keywords="neurodevelopment",
abstract="Background: Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) are essential fatty acids that protect cellular structures and provide energy, particularly for fetal growth and development. The maternal supplementations of omega-3 LCPUFA may affect the rate of intelligence in early childhood development. Objective: This systematic review aims to synthesize available evidence on the impact of omega-3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy toward intelligence in early childhood development by analyzing the outcomes specifying the aspects of intelligence such as neurodevelopment, social-emotional, language, attention, behavior, cognition, vision, hearing, and motor skills. Methods: We will only include randomized controlled trials on pregnant women supplemented with omega-3 LCPUFA interventions and the outcome measured is the children's intelligence. Based on the World Health Organization's definition of early childhood, we will include children aged 8 years or younger. Children's intelligence can be indicated using several tools measuring their intelligence index, such as neurodevelopment, social-emotional, language, attention, behavior, cognition, vision, hearing, and motor skills. Irrelevant and unavailable studies will be excluded. A systematic search will be conducted in 3 electronic databases, namely PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane using relevant and synonymous terms. Study screening and selection will be conducted by the authors based on eligibility criteria. Upon encountering conflicting decisions, a discussion will be held to reach a consensus. The screening and selection process will be recorded using a PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) flowchart. The included studies will be subjected to bias and quality assessment in accordance with the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) assessment tool for randomized controlled trials. Results: An initial search was conducted on November 1, 2023, which returned 1998 studies for screening. The extracted data will be classified into groups and subgroups according to the indicator of intelligence measured in the study. Next, the extracted data will be summarized using tables of evidence. Whenever possible, a meta-analysis of homogeneous groups of studies will be conducted using statistical software such as RevMan?(version 5.4; Cochrane Collaboration). Studies with significant heterogeneity will be discussed narratively. The systematic review is estimated to be published in November 2025. Conclusions: This systematic review will systematically pool the evidence on the potential use of omega-3 LCPUFA supplementation to improve children's intelligence status. This review is also important in addressing any existing knowledge gaps on this topic. Finally, a deeper understanding of the association between the consumption of omega-3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy and children's intelligence will aid policy makers, health care practitioners, and mothers with more informed evidence-based decisions. Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD42023463910; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42023463910 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/60417 ",
doi="10.2196/60417",
url="https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e60417"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/72542,
author="Price, L. Sarah A.
and Koye, N. Digsu
and Lewin, Alice
and Nankervis, Alison
and Kane, C. Stefan",
title="Maternal Metabolic Health and Mother and Baby Health Outcomes (MAMBO): Protocol of a Prospective Observational Study",
journal="JMIR Res Protoc",
year="2025",
month="Apr",
day="11",
volume="14",
pages="e72542",
keywords="preconception",
keywords="large for gestational age",
keywords="small for gestational age",
keywords="pregnancy outcomes",
keywords="metabolic disease",
keywords="diabetes",
keywords="obesity",
keywords="hypertension",
abstract="Background: Metabolic disease is increasingly impacting women of reproductive age. In pregnancy, uncontrolled metabolic disease can result in offspring with major congenital anomalies, preterm birth, and abnormal fetal growth. Pregnancy also accelerates the complications of metabolic diseases in mothers resulting in an increased risk of premature cardiovascular events. Despite the convincing evidence that preconception care can largely mitigate the risks of metabolic disease in pregnancy, there are few data about how to identify the highest-risk women so that they can be connected with appropriate preconception care services. Objective: The aim of the study is to determine the maternal phenotype that represents the highest risk of having adverse neonatal and maternal pregnancy outcomes. Methods: This will be a prospective cohort study of 500 women recruited in early pregnancy. The primary outcome is a composite of offspring born small for gestational age (SGA) or large for gestational age (LGA) (customized birthweight ?10th and ?90th centile for gestational age). Secondary outcomes are (1) composite of adverse neonatal birth outcomes (SGA, LGA, major congenital abnormalities, preterm birth [<37 weeks' gestation]) and (2) composite of new maternal metabolic outcomes (gestational diabetes, diabetes in pregnancy, type 2 diabetes [T2D] or prediabetes; gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, eclampsia or new essential hypertension after pregnancy; and gestational weight gain ?20kg or new overweight/obesity at the 12-18 months postpartum visit). A multivariable logistic regression analysis will be conducted to identify candidate predictors of poor pregnancy outcomes due to metabolic disease. From this model, model coefficients and the associated 95\% CIs will be extracted to derive the risk score for predicting the delivery of LGA/SGA offspring (primary outcome) and composites of adverse neonatal outcomes and maternal outcomes (secondary outcomes). Results: Seed funding for the project was acquired in November 2022 and subsequent funding was acquired in May 2024. The first participant was recruited on March 23, 2023. At the time of manuscript submission, 402 participants have been recruited. Data analysis has not yet been performed. Results are expected to be published in the first half of 2027. Conclusions: This is a prospective observational cohort study that intends to identify the metabolic disease risk factors, or combination of factors, that are most likely to cause adverse maternal and fetal health outcomes. These characteristics will be used to develop a risk calculator which will assist in identifying the highest risk women and in triaging them to appropriate services. The study has been approved by the institutional Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/90080/MH-2022). Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12623000037606; https://tinyurl.com/yeytsxtp International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/72542 ",
doi="10.2196/72542",
url="https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e72542",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40215105"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/66439,
author="Okun, L. Michele
and Payne, L. Jennifer
and Osborne, M. Lauren
and Feliciano, Leilani
and Lac, Andrew",
title="Effects of Using a Smart Bassinet on the Mental Health of Military-Affiliated Pregnant Women: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Sleep Health and Mood in Newly Expectant Military Mothers (SHINE) Trial",
journal="JMIR Res Protoc",
year="2025",
month="Apr",
day="10",
volume="14",
pages="e66439",
keywords="maternal health",
keywords="postpartum",
keywords="pregnancy",
keywords="sleep",
keywords="infant",
keywords="depression",
keywords="anxiety",
keywords="smart bassinet",
keywords="intervention",
keywords="prevention",
keywords="military",
abstract="Background: Postpartum mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) are higher among pregnant military service women (26\%) and military spouses (12.2\%) compared to the civilian population (10\%-15\%). This is partly due to military-specific factors, including deployment, which are known to increase risk. Important risk factors for PMADs include sleep disturbances, defined as sleep deprivation, insomnia, or poor sleep quality, which are more are common among military-affiliated pregnant women. Objective: This study describes a protocol for a new randomized controlled trial that aims to ameliorate the risk for PMADs through improving infant sleep or maternal sleep during the first 6 postdelivery months in a sample of military-affiliated women. Methods: This study is a 6-month, parallel-arm, randomized controlled trial. Pregnant women (N=342) in the third trimester will be randomized at 1:1 ratio to use a smart bassinet (SB) or a standard commercially available bassinet (HALO BassiNest Swivel Sleeper 3.0; traditional bassinet [TB]) for up to 6 months after delivery. Participants will have their infants sleep in the bassinet, complete monthly web-based questionnaires, and record sleep data with diary and actigraphy for both the participants and their infants for 1 week each postpartum month. Blood samples will also be collected at baseline (late pregnancy) and at 3 months and 6 months post partum to assess immune functioning. The primary outcomes for this study will be postpartum mood (depressive and anxiety symptoms) and infant and maternal sleep. In addition, we are evaluating whether SB has a significant impact on immune functioning---a marker that physiologically connects sleep and mood symptoms. Results: Recruitment for this study began in January 2025. Six separate mixed 2 (treatment vs control) {\texttimes} 6 (assessment period) multivariate analysis of variance and analysis of variance models will be conducted to test the hypotheses that SB will have a greater impact on infant and maternal sleep than TB, SB will be associated with a greater reduction in postpartum mood symptoms than TB, and immune system function will be less dysregulated in birthing individuals using SB compared to those using TB. Lastly, we will evaluate whether the elevated risk demonstrated by previously identified postpartum depression epigenetic biomarkers in the TTC9B and HP1BP3 genes can be modified with an SB. We hypothesize that the elevated risk will be reduced in SB compared to that in TB. Conclusions: At the conclusion of this project, we will have gained a thorough understanding of the capability of SB to positively affect infant and maternal sleep compared to the traditional sleep arrangement and its impact on maternal mood through 6 months post partum in military-affiliated women. The promotion of sleep health in both mothers and infants may be an accessible and amenable method to prevent PMADs. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06544941; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06544941 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/66439 ",
doi="10.2196/66439",
url="https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e66439"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/67166,
author="Vadsaria, Khadija
and Nuruddin, Rozina
and Mohammed, Nuruddin
and Azam, Iqbal
and Sayani, Saleem",
title="Efficacy of a Personalized mHealth App in Improving Micronutrient Supplement Use Among Pregnant Women in Karachi, Pakistan: Parallel-Group Randomized Controlled Trial",
journal="J Med Internet Res",
year="2025",
month="Apr",
day="9",
volume="27",
pages="e67166",
keywords="calcium",
keywords="folic acid",
keywords="iron",
keywords="mobile health intervention",
keywords="micronutrient deficiencies",
keywords="Pakistan",
keywords="pregnancy",
keywords="supplement use",
keywords="vitamin D",
keywords="artificial intelligence",
abstract="Background: Micronutrient deficiencies in folate, ferritin, calcium, and vitamin D are common during pregnancy in low- and middle-income countries, often due to inadequate diets. Micronutrient supplementation can address this need, whereas innovative awareness strategies in antenatal practices could enhance supplement use compliance. Objective: We evaluated the efficacy of a personalized mobile health (mHealth) intervention, hypothesizing a 30\% improvement in supplement use in the intervention group compared to a conventional face-to-face counseling group. Methods: In an unblinded randomized controlled trial, we enrolled 306 first-trimester pregnant women from Aga Khan University Hospital between January 2020 and September 2021 who owned smartphones with internet connection. Women on regular medications or with dietary restrictions or critical illnesses were excluded. The intervention group received personalized micronutrient supplement use coaching through an mHealth app (PurUmeed Aaghaz) as thrice-a-week push messages and tailored recommendations over a 24-week period. The comparison group received standard face-to-face counseling at 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks after enrollment. Baseline sociodemographic, obstetrics, anthropometric, dietary, and lifestyle data were collected through face-to-face interviews. At each follow-up, participants reported their weekly use of folic acid, iron, calcium, and vitamin D supplements, scored as 0 (daily), 1.5 (4-6 times weekly), and 3 (?3 times weekly). Scores were summed to calculate the cumulative supplement use score (CSUS; 0-12), with higher scores indicating greater inadequacy. Every fourth woman was invited for biochemical micronutrient assessment. Data were analyzed using Stata (version 14), with random-effects linear and logistic panel regression to compare CSUS and supplement use between the 2 groups from baseline to endline. Results: Of 153 participants per group, 107 (69.9\%) in the intervention and 125 (81.7\%) in the nonintervention group completed the study. After 24 weeks, the intervention group showed a greater but insignificant reduction in mean CSUS compared to the nonintervention group ($\beta$=--.27, 95\% CI ?0.65 to 0.12; P=.17). Daily supplement use improved by 20\% versus 22.4\% for folic acid, 11.2 times versus 2.1 times for iron, 1.2 times versus 14.2 times for calcium, and 3 times versus 1.3 times for vitamin D in the intervention versus nonintervention group, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed higher, though insignificant, odds of sufficient folic acid (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.26, 95\% CI 0.68-2.36; P=.46) and iron (aOR 1.31, 95\% CI 0.95-1.81; P=.10) use in the intervention group, whereas vitamin D use was significantly higher (aOR 1.88, 95\% CI 1.43-2.47; P<.001). Calcium intake improved in the nonintervention group (aOR 0.59, 95\% CI 0.44-0.79; P<.001). Anemia decreased in the intervention group, whereas ferritin, calcium, and vitamin D deficiencies persisted or worsened, particularly in the nonintervention group. Conclusions: An appropriately implemented mHealth intervention can improve antenatal vitamin D supplementation. Affordable, accessible, and personalized counseling through mHealth could ameliorate micronutrient status during pregnancy. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04216446; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04216446 ",
doi="10.2196/67166",
url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e67166"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/72469,
author="McAlister, Kelsey
and Baez, Lara
and Huberty, Jennifer
and Kerppola, Marianna",
title="Chatbot to Support the Mental Health Needs of Pregnant and Postpartum Women (Moment for Parents): Design and Pilot Study",
journal="JMIR Form Res",
year="2025",
month="Apr",
day="8",
volume="9",
pages="e72469",
keywords="perinatal support",
keywords="human-centered design",
keywords="digital health",
keywords="maternal health",
keywords="chatbot",
keywords="digital tool",
abstract="Background: Maternal mental health disorders are prevalent, yet many individuals do not receive adequate support due to stigma, financial constraints, and limited access to care. Digital interventions, particularly chatbots, have the potential to provide scalable, low-cost support, but few are tailored specifically to the needs of perinatal individuals. Objective: This study aimed to (1) design and develop Moment for Parents, a tailored chatbot for perinatal mental health education and support, and (2) assess usability through engagement, usage patterns, and user experience. Methods: This study used a human-centered design to develop Moment for Parents, a rules-based chatbot to support pregnant and postpartum individuals. In phase 1, ethnographic interviews (n=43) explored user needs to inform chatbot development. In phase 2, a total of 108 pregnant and postpartum individuals were recruited to participate in a pilot test and had unrestricted access to the chatbot. Engagement was tracked over 8 months to assess usage patterns and re-engagement rates. After 1 month, participants completed a usability, relevance, and satisfaction survey, providing key insights for refining the chatbot. Results: Key themes that came from the ethnographic interviews in phase 1 included the need for trusted resources, emotional support, and better mental health guidance. These insights informed chatbot content, including mood-based exercises and coping strategies. Re-engagement was high (69/108, 63.9\%), meaning users who had stopped interacting for at least 1 week returned to the chatbot at least once. A large proportion (28/69, 40.6\%) re-engaged 3 or more times. Overall, 28/30 (93.3\%) found the chatbot relevant for them, though some noted repetitive content and limited response options. Conclusions: The Moment for Parents chatbot successfully engaged pregnant and postpartum individuals with higher-than-typical retention and re-engagement patterns. The findings underscore the importance of flexible, mood-based digital support tailored to perinatal needs. Future research should examine how intermittent chatbot use influences mental health outcomes and refine content delivery to enhance long-term engagement and effectiveness. ",
doi="10.2196/72469",
url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e72469"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/64131,
author="Dougherty, Kylie
and Tesfaye, Yihenew
and Biza, Heran
and Belew, Mulusew
and Benda, Natalie
and Gebremariam Gobezayehu, Abebe
and Cranmer, John
and Bakken, Suzanne",
title="User-Centered Design of an Electronic Dashboard for Monitoring Facility-Level Basic Emergency Obstetric Care Readiness in Amhara, Ethiopia: Mixed Methods Study",
journal="JMIR Hum Factors",
year="2025",
month="Apr",
day="3",
volume="12",
pages="e64131",
keywords="health information technology",
keywords="design and evaluation",
keywords="Ethiopia",
keywords="usability",
keywords="nursing informatics",
keywords="user-centered design",
keywords="basic emergency obstetric care",
keywords="obstetric",
keywords="nurse",
keywords="user-centered",
keywords="design",
keywords="maternal mortality",
keywords="maternal",
keywords="develop",
keywords="sub-Saharan Africa",
keywords="Africa",
keywords="dashboard",
keywords="tracking",
keywords="emergency care",
abstract="Background: Maternal mortality remains a persistent public health concern in sub-Saharan African countries such as Ethiopia. Health information technology solutions are a flexible and low-cost method for improving health outcomes with proven benefits in low- to middle-income countries' health systems. Objective: This study aimed to develop and assess the usability of an electronic dashboard to monitor facility-level readiness to manage basic emergency obstetric care (BEmOC) in Amhara, Ethiopia. Methods: The study used three methods to iteratively refine the dashboard: (1) user-centered design sessions with individuals who interact with the BEmOC supply chain, (2) review and feedback from domain and information visualization subject matter experts (SMEs) to refine the dashboard, and (3) usability heuristic evaluation with human-computer interaction (HCI) SMEs. Results: User-centered design sessions resulted in a preliminary version of the dashboard informed by end-user preferences and perceptions, with recommendations focusing on aesthetic design, filtering and sorting, and matching with the real world. An example of an end-user recommendation included increasing font sizes on the dashboard and using a red, yellow, and green color-coding scheme. Next, domain and visualization SMEs continued the dashboard's iterative refinement, focusing on aesthetic design and navigation, by confirming design choices incorporated from the user-centered design sessions and recommending changes to enhance user experience moving through the dashboard, such as adding more filtering options. HCI SMEs rated the dashboard as highly usable (0.82 on a scale of 0-4, with 0 being no usability concern and 4 being a catastrophic usability concern). The principle with the highest usability severity scores was a match between the system and the real world with a score of 1.4. The HCI SMEs also rated the information visualization aspects of the dashboard favorably with 2 usability principles, spatial organization and information coding, scoring 0. Conclusions: Dashboards are a novel method for promoting and tracking facility capacity to manage BEmOC. By including targeted end users and SMEs in the design process, the team was able to tailor the dashboard to meet user needs, fit it into the existing government health systems, and ensure that the dashboard follows design best practices. Collectively, the novel, customized BEmOC dashboard can be used to track and improve facility-level readiness in Amhara, Ethiopia, and similar global BEmOC facilities. ",
doi="10.2196/64131",
url="https://humanfactors.jmir.org/2025/1/e64131"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/62841,
author="Dol, Justine
and Campbell-Yeo, Marsha
and Aston, Megan
and McMillan, Douglas
and Grant, K. Amy",
title="Impact of a 6-Week Postpartum Text Messaging Program (Essential Coaching for Every Mother) at 6 Months: Follow-Up Study to a Randomized Controlled Trial",
journal="JMIR Pediatr Parent",
year="2025",
month="Apr",
day="2",
volume="8",
pages="e62841",
keywords="mHealth",
keywords="mobile health",
keywords="SMS text message",
keywords="text messages",
keywords="messaging",
keywords="self-efficacy",
keywords="postpartum depression",
keywords="postpartum anxiety",
keywords="social support",
keywords="intervention",
keywords="postpartum",
keywords="postnatal",
keywords="mental health",
keywords="parenting",
keywords="mother",
keywords="depression",
keywords="anxiety",
keywords="RCT",
keywords="randomized controlled trial",
abstract="Background: Essential Coaching for Every Mother is an SMS text messaging program that positively improved parenting self-efficacy and reduced postpartum anxiety when measured immediately after intervention at 6 weeks postpartum. However, the impact of a short-term postpartum intervention over time is unknown. Objective: This study aims to compare parenting self-efficacy, postpartum anxiety symptoms, postpartum depression symptoms, and perceived social support at 6 months postpartum for mothers in the Essential Coaching for Every Mother trial. Methods: Participants (n=150) were randomized to Essential Coaching for Every Mother or control (usual care). Data were collected on parenting self-efficacy (primary outcome, Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale), postpartum anxiety symptoms (Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale), postpartum depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), and perceived social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support) at enrollment and 6-months postpartum. Data were analyzed using analyses of covariance and chi-square analysis. Results: A total of 139 women completed the primary outcome at 6 months and 136 completed secondary outcomes. At 6 months, there were no statistically significant differences between mothers in the intervention group and mothers in the control group on any of the outcomes. More mothers in the intervention group had higher postpartum anxiety scores (31/68, 45.6\%) than mothers in the control group (16/68, 23.5\%; P=.007). Conclusions: At 6 months postpartum, all mothers had similar scores on parenting self-efficacy, postpartum anxiety symptoms, postpartum depression symptoms, and social support. Thus, Essential Coaching for Every Mother improved parenting self-efficacy and reduced postpartum anxiety at 6 weeks, with all mothers having similar scores at 6 months postpartum. Trial Registration: ClincialTrials.gov NCT04730570; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04730570 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/27138 ",
doi="10.2196/62841",
url="https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2025/1/e62841"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/58410,
author="Hernandez-Spalding, Kaitlyn
and Farinu, Oluyemi
and Clarke, Lasha
and Lewis, Tamiah
and Suarez, Angie
and Bugg, Kimarie
and Strickland, Kieauna
and Molleti, Ashley
and Maxy, Sherry
and Hernandez-Green, Natalie",
title="Centering Birthing Experiences of Women of Color: Protocol for a Qualitative Maternal Near Miss Study",
journal="JMIR Res Protoc",
year="2025",
month="Mar",
day="27",
volume="14",
pages="e58410",
keywords="maternal health disparities",
keywords="maternal near miss",
keywords="minority health",
keywords="mental health",
keywords="narrative-based medicine",
keywords="experiences",
keywords="birthing experience",
keywords="women",
keywords="Black women",
keywords="United States",
keywords="maternal morbidity",
keywords="patient-centered",
keywords="racial",
keywords="ethnic",
keywords="disparities",
keywords="socioeconomically",
keywords="pregnancy",
keywords="childbirth",
keywords="postpartum",
keywords="antenatal",
abstract="Background: In the United States, Black women are 3-4 times more likely to experience maternal near miss (MNM) or severe maternal morbidity (SMM) than non-Hispanic White women. However, there is a limited narrative-based investigation into Black and other marginalized women's MNM experiences. Additionally, limited extant research on the impact of MNM and SMM on birthing women's families or support persons and health care providers precludes the development of multilevel, patient-centered methods to eliminate these racial or ethnic disparities. Objective: This paper presents the protocol for a study that aims to draw insights from the experiences of racially and socioeconomically diverse mothers with MNM and SMM, their family or support persons (eg, partners), and health care providers to inform legislation, clinical practice, and infrastructure for optimal social support using PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis Protocols) guidelines. Using a storytelling approach to assess participants' risk factors, document underlying causes, and research clinical causes of MNM, researchers hypothesize these data will inform policies to improve maternal conditions and provide safe and effective prevention and treatment options for birthing persons. Methods: Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM) will partner with health services and community-based organizations to promote inclusive participant recruitment for this multiphase study. In phase 1, qualitative interviews were conducted with birthing women (n?87) who have experienced MNM and SMM. In phase 2, we will conduct qualitative interviews with the following groups: birthing women's partners or support persons (n?50), health care providers serving birthing women (n?50), and adults who lost their mothers to pregnancy-related complications (n?50). In each phase, the total number of participants interviewed will be based on theoretical saturation, that is, the point in iterative data collection and analysis when all important insights have been exhausted from the data already available. Results: Recruitment for phase 1 started in July 2021. As of March 2024, we have recruited 87 racially and socioeconomically diverse birthing women. Of those, 74\% (64/87) self-identified as Black or African American, 20\% (17/87) as Hispanic or Latina, and 9\% (8/87) as Native American or Alaska Native. Severe preeclampsia accounted for 46\% (40/87) of participants' pregnancy-related adverse experiences. Qualitative interviews grounded in narrative-based medicine are ongoing. Recruitment for phase 2 will occur between July 2023 and December 2024. Study results will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Conclusions: The findings from this research will deepen the understanding of how severe obstetric complications (1) are experienced by birthing women; (2) are perceived by their partners, support persons, and health providers; and (3) impact the lives of bereaved family and community members. ",
doi="10.2196/58410",
url="https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e58410"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/64826,
author="Inderstrodt, Jill
and Stumpff, C. Julia
and Smollen, C. Rebecca
and Sridhar, Shreya
and El-Azab, A. Sarah
and Ojo, Opeyemi
and Bowns, Brendan
and Haggstrom, A. David",
title="Informatics Interventions for Maternal Morbidity: Scoping Review",
journal="Interact J Med Res",
year="2025",
month="Mar",
day="25",
volume="14",
pages="e64826",
keywords="scoping review",
keywords="maternal morbidity",
keywords="medical informatics",
keywords="clinical informatics",
keywords="mother",
keywords="pregnant",
keywords="perinatal",
keywords="GDM",
keywords="preeclampsia",
keywords="maternity",
keywords="gestational diabetes mellitus",
abstract="Background: Women have been entering pregnancy less healthy than previous generations, placing them at increased risk for pregnancy complications. One approach to ensuring effective monitoring and treatment of at-risk women is designing technology-based interventions that prevent maternal morbidities and treat perinatal conditions. Objective: This scoping review evaluates what informatics interventions have been designed and tested to prevent and treat maternal morbidity. Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched to identify relevant studies. The inclusion criteria were studies that tested a medical or clinical informatics intervention; enrolled adult women; and addressed preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preterm birth, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention--defined severe maternal morbidity, or perinatal mental health conditions. Demographic, population, and intervention data were extracted to characterize the technologies, conditions, and populations addressed. Results: A total of 80 studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria. Many of the studies tested for multiple conditions. Of these, 73\% (60/82) of the technologies were tested for either GDM or perinatal mental health conditions, and 15\% (12/82) were tested for preeclampsia. For technologies, 32\% (28/87) of the technologies tested were smartphone or tablet applications, 26\% (23/87) were telehealth interventions, and 14\% (12/87) were remote monitoring technologies. Of the many outcomes measured by the studies, almost half (69/140, 49\%) were patient physical or mental health outcomes. Conclusions: Per this scoping review, most informatics interventions address three conditions: GDM, preeclampsia, and mental health. There may be opportunities to treat other potentially lethal conditions like postpartum hemorrhage using proven technologies such as mobile apps. Ample gaps in the literature exist concerning the use of informatics technologies aimed at maternal morbidity. There may be opportunities to use informatics for lesser-targeted conditions and populations. ",
doi="10.2196/64826",
url="https://www.i-jmr.org/2025/1/e64826"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/67284,
author="Patchen, Loral
and Tsuei, Jeannette
and Sherard, Donna
and Moriarty, Patricia
and Mungai-Barris, Zoe
and Ma, Tony
and Bajracharya, Elina
and Chang, Katie
and Evans, Douglas William",
title="Designing a Digital Intervention to Increase Human Milk Feeding Among Black Mothers: Qualitative Study of Acceptability and Preferences",
journal="JMIR Form Res",
year="2025",
month="Mar",
day="19",
volume="9",
pages="e67284",
keywords="health equity",
keywords="breastfeeding",
keywords="qualitative",
keywords="mobile health",
keywords="black mothers",
keywords="preferences",
keywords="cultural tailoring",
keywords="mobile phone",
abstract="Background: Breastfeeding rates among US mothers, particularly Black or African American mothers, fall short of recommended guidelines. Despite the benefits of human milk, only 24.9\% of all infants receive human milk exclusively at 6 months. Objective: Our team previously explored the key content areas a mobile health intervention should address and the usability of an initial prototype of the Knowledge and Usage of Lactation using Education and Advice from Support Network (KULEA-NET), an evidence-based mobile breastfeeding app guided by preferences of Black or African American parents. This study aimed to identify the preferences and acceptability of additional features, content, and delivery methods for an expanded KULEA-NET app. Key social branding elements were defined to guide app development as a trusted adviser. The study also aimed to validate previous findings regarding approaches to supporting breastfeeding goals and cultural tailoring. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study using in-depth interviews and focus groups with potential KULEA-NET users. A health branding approach provided a theoretical framework. We recruited 24 participants across 12 interviews and 2 focus groups, each with 6 participants. The Data methods aligned with qualitative research principles and concluded once saturation was reached. Given the focus on cultural tailoring, team members who shared social identities with study participants completed data collection and coding. Two additional team members, 1 with expertise in social branding and 1 certified in lactation, participated in the thematic analysis. Results: All participants identified as Black or African American mothers, and most interview participants (7/12, 58\%) engaged in exclusive breastfeeding. In total, 4 themes were recognized. First, participants identified desired content, specifying peer support, facilitated access to experts, geolocation to identify resources, and tracking functions. Second, delivery of content differentiated platforms and messaging modality. Third, functionality and features were identified as key factors, highlighting content diversity, ease of use, credibility, and interactivity. Finally, appealing aspects of messaging to shape a social brand highlighted support and affirmation, inclusivity and body positivity, maternal inspiration, maternal identity, social norms, and barriers to alignment with aspirational maternal behaviors as essential qualities. Crosscutting elements of themes included a desire to communicate with other mothers in web-based forums and internet-based or in-person support groups to help balance the ideal medical recommendations for infant feeding with the contextual realities and motivations of mothers. Participants assigned high value to personalization and emphasized a need to achieve both social and factual credibility. Conclusions: This formative research suggested additional elements for an expanded KULEA-NET app that would be beneficial and desired. The health branding approach to establish KULEA-NET as a trusted adviser is appealing and acceptable to users. Next steps include developing full app functionality that reflects these findings and then testing the updated KULEA-NET edition in a randomized controlled trial. ",
doi="10.2196/67284",
url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e67284"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/67049,
author="Atukunda, Cathyln Esther
and Mugyenyi, Rwambuka Godfrey
and Haberer, E. Jessica
and Siedner, J. Mark
and Musiimenta, Angella
and Najjuma, N. Josephine
and Obua, Celestino
and Matthews, T. Lynn",
title="Integration of a Patient-Centered mHealth Intervention (Support-Moms) Into Routine Antenatal Care to Improve Maternal Health Among Pregnant Women in Southwestern Uganda: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial",
journal="JMIR Res Protoc",
year="2025",
month="Mar",
day="19",
volume="14",
pages="e67049",
keywords="social support",
keywords="intervention development",
keywords="maternal health",
keywords="antenatal care attendance",
keywords="skilled births",
keywords="Uganda",
abstract="Background: Mobile health (mHealth) interventions that leverage social support (SS) can improve partner involvement and pregnancy experiences and promote antenatal care (ANC) attendance and skilled births. In our previous studies, we used behavioral frameworks to develop a user-centered mHealth-based, audio SMS text messaging app to support pregnant individuals to use maternity care services in rural Uganda (Support-Moms app). In our pilot study, we observed high intervention uptake, acceptability, and feasibility, as well as increased ANC attendance and skilled births. Objective: With the promising pilot data, we propose a type 1 hybrid implementation-effectiveness trial to test if this novel patient-centered automated and customized mHealth-based SS intervention is effective and cost-effective enough to warrant future large-scale implementation into Uganda's routine maternity care. Methods: We will physically recruit 824 pregnant women at <20 weeks of gestation living in Mbarara and Mitooma districts, southwestern Uganda, and randomize them (1:1) to receive standard of care or the Support-Moms app, with at least 2 of their identified social supporters. Our primary outcome will be the proportion of skilled births. Secondary outcomes will include number of ANC visits, institution-based delivery, mode of infant delivery, preterm birth, birth weight, SS, obstetric complications, and deaths (maternal, fetal, and newborn). We will assess other implementation, service, and client outcomes through study records, the mHealth platform, and questionnaires with all women in the intervention, their social supporters, health care providers (HCPs), and managers from participating facilities. We will conduct face-to-face in-depth exit interviews with 30 purposively selected intervention participants and 15 facility HCPs and managers to explore implementation strategies for scale-up. Annual maternity resource allocations, costs, number of ANC visits, and deliveries will be assessed from facility records up to 36 months after implementation. We will estimate incremental cost-effectiveness ratios concerning cost per additional HCP-led delivery, per death averted, and per quality-adjusted life year gained as cost-effectiveness measures. Results: This study was funded in September 2023. Ethics approval was obtained in February 2024, and actual data collection started in March 2024. As of January 2025, 75\% (618/824) of all projected study participants provided consent and were recruited into the study. Participants are expected to be followed up until delivery, and 15\% (124/824) have so far exited. Data analysis for the trial is expected to start as soon as the last participant exits from the study. The qualitative interviews will start in April 2025, and data will be analyzed and published as soon as data collection is done, which is expected in March 2027. Conclusions: We are testing the feasibility, acceptability, and cost-effectiveness of implementing Support-Moms into routine maternity care from individual and facility perspectives. We hypothesize that Support-Moms will be an effective and cost-effective strategy to improve maternity service use for women in rural Uganda and similar settings. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05940831; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05940831 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/67049 ",
doi="10.2196/67049",
url="https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e67049",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40105879"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/66580,
author="Wang, Jianing
and Tang, Nu
and Jin, Congcong
and Yang, Jianxue
and Zheng, Xiangpeng
and Jiang, Qiujing
and Li, Shengping
and Xiao, Nian
and Zhou, Xiaojun",
title="Association of Digital Health Interventions With Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis",
journal="J Med Internet Res",
year="2025",
month="Mar",
day="14",
volume="27",
pages="e66580",
keywords="digital health",
keywords="telemedicine",
keywords="telehealth",
keywords="mobile health",
keywords="mHealth",
keywords="mobile phone",
keywords="intervention",
keywords="meta-analysis",
keywords="pregnant women",
keywords="systematic review",
abstract="Background: Gestational weight gain (GWG) is crucial to maternal and neonatal health, yet many women fail to meet recommended guidelines, increasing the risk of complications. Digital health interventions offer promising solutions, but their effectiveness remains uncertain. This study evaluates the impact of such interventions on GWG and other maternal and neonatal outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of digital health interventions among pregnant women and newborns. Methods: A total of 2 independent researchers performed electronic literature searches in the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases to identify eligible studies published from their inception until February 2024; an updated search was conducted in August 2024. The studies included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to maternal and neonatal clinical outcomes. The Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials was used to examine the risk of publication bias. Stata (version 15.1; StataCorp) was used to analyze the data. Results: We incorporated 42 pertinent RCTs involving 148,866 participants. In comparison to the routine care group, GWG was markedly reduced in the intervention group (standardized mean difference--0.19, 95\% CI --0.25 to --0.13; P<.001). A significant reduction was observed in the proportion of women with excessive weight gain (odds ratio [OR] 0.79, 95\% CI 0.69-0.91; P=.001), along with an increase in the proportion of women with adequate weight gain (OR 1.33, 95\% CI 1.10-1.64; P=.003). Although no significant difference was reported for the proportion of individuals below standardized weight gain, there is a significant reduction in the risk of miscarriage (OR 0.66, 95\% CI 0.46-0.95; P=.03), preterm birth (OR 0.8, 95\% CI 0.75-0.86; P<.001), as well as complex neonatal outcomes (OR 0.93, 95\% CI 0.87-0.99; P=.02). Other maternal and fetal outcomes were not significantly different between the 2 groups (all P>.05). Conclusions: The findings corroborate our hypothesis that digitally facilitated health care can enhance certain facets of maternal and neonatal outcomes, particularly by mitigating excessive weight and maintaining individuals within a reasonable weight gain range. Therefore, encouraging women to join the digital health team sounds feasible and helpful. Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD42024564331; https://tinyurl.com/5n6bshjt ",
doi="10.2196/66580",
url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e66580"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/66637,
author="Downs, Symons Danielle
and Pauley, M. Abigail
and Rivera, E. Daniel
and Savage, S. Jennifer
and Moore, M. Amy
and Shao, Danying
and Chow, Sy-Miin
and Lagoa, Constantino
and Pauli, M. Jaimey
and Khan, Owais
and Kunselman, Allen",
title="Healthy Mom Zone Adaptive Intervention With a Novel Control System and Digital Platform to Manage Gestational Weight Gain in Pregnant Women With Overweight or Obesity: Study Design and Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial",
journal="JMIR Res Protoc",
year="2025",
month="Mar",
day="13",
volume="14",
pages="e66637",
keywords="pregnancy",
keywords="gestational weight gain",
keywords="physical activity",
keywords="healthy eating",
keywords="overweight",
keywords="obesity",
keywords="intervention",
abstract="Background: Regulating gestational weight gain (GWG) in pregnant women with overweight or obesity is difficult, particularly because of the narrow range of recommended GWG for optimal health outcomes. Given that many pregnant women show excessive GWG and considering the lack of a ``gold standard'' intervention to manage GWG, there is a timely need for effective and efficient approaches to regulate GWG. We have enhanced the Healthy Mom Zone (HMZ) 2.0 intervention with a novel digital platform, automated dosage changes, and personalized strategies to regulate GWG, and our pilot study demonstrated successful recruitment, compliance, and utility of our new control system and digital platform. Objective: The goal of this paper is to describe the study protocol for a randomized controlled optimization trial to examine the efficacy of the enhanced HMZ 2.0 intervention with the new automated control system and digital platform to regulate GWG and influence secondary maternal and infant outcomes while collecting implementation data to inform future scalability. Methods: This is an efficacy study using a randomized controlled trial design. HMZ 2.0 is a multidosage, theoretically based, and individually tailored adaptive intervention that is delivered through a novel digital platform with an automated link of participant data to a new model-based predictive control algorithm to predict GWG. Our new control system computes individual dosage changes and produces personalized physical activity (PA) and energy intake (EI) strategies to deliver just-in-time dosage change recommendations to regulate GWG. Participants are 144 pregnant women with overweight or obesity randomized to an intervention (n=72) or attention control (n=72) group, stratified by prepregnancy BMI (<29.9 vs ?30 kg/m2), and they will participate from approximately 8 to 36 weeks of gestation. The sample size is based on GWG (primary outcome) and informed by our feasibility trial showing a 21\% reduction in GWG in the intervention group compared to the control group, with 3\% dropout. Secondary outcomes include PA, EI, sedentary and sleep behaviors, social cognitive determinants, adverse pregnancy and delivery outcomes, infant birth weight, and implementation outcomes. Analyses will include descriptive statistics, time series and fixed effects meta-analytic approaches, and mixed effects models. Results: Recruitment started in April 2024, and enrollment will continue through May 2027. The primary (GWG) and secondary (eg, maternal and infant health) outcome results will be analyzed, posted on ClinicalTrials.gov, and published after January 2028. Conclusions: Examining the efficacy of the novel HMZ 2.0 intervention in terms of GWG and secondary outcomes expands the boundaries of current GWG interventions and has high clinical and public health impact. There is excellent potential to further refine HMZ 2.0 to scale-up use of the novel digital platform by clinicians as an adjunct treatment in prenatal care to regulate GWG in all pregnant women. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/66637 ",
doi="10.2196/66637",
url="https://www.researchprotocols.org/2025/1/e66637"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/59377,
author="Gao, Jing
and Jie, Xu
and Yao, Yujun
and Xue, Jingdong
and Chen, Lei
and Chen, Ruiyao
and Chen, Jiayuan
and Cheng, Weiwei",
title="Fetal Birth Weight Prediction in the Third Trimester: Retrospective Cohort Study and Development of an Ensemble Model",
journal="JMIR Pediatr Parent",
year="2025",
month="Mar",
day="10",
volume="8",
pages="e59377",
keywords="fetal birthweight",
keywords="ensemble learning model",
keywords="machine learning",
keywords="prediction model",
keywords="ultrasonography",
keywords="macrosomia",
keywords="low birth weight",
keywords="birth weight",
keywords="fetal",
keywords="AI",
keywords="artificial intelligence",
keywords="prenatal",
keywords="prenatal care",
keywords="Shanghai",
keywords="neonatal",
keywords="maternal",
keywords="parental",
abstract="Background: Accurate third-trimester birth weight prediction is vital for reducing adverse outcomes, and machine learning (ML) offers superior precision over traditional ultrasound methods. Objective: This study aims to develop an ML model on the basis of clinical big data for accurate prediction of birth weight in the third trimester of pregnancy, which can help reduce adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Methods: From January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019, a retrospective cohort study involving 16,655 singleton live births without congenital anomalies (>28 weeks of gestation) was conducted in a tertiary first-class hospital in Shanghai. The initial set of data was divided into a train set for algorithm development and a test set on which the algorithm was divided in a ratio of 4:1. We extracted maternal and neonatal delivery outcomes, as well as parental demographics, obstetric clinical data, and sonographic fetal biometry, from electronic medical records. A total of 5 basic ML algorithms, including Ridge, SVM, Random Forest, extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and Multi-Layer Perceptron, were used to develop the prediction model, which was then averaged into an ensemble learning model. The models were compared using accuracy, mean squared error, root mean squared error, and mean absolute error. International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital's Research Ethics Committee granted ethical approval for the usage of patient information (GKLW2021-20). Results: Train and test sets contained a total of 13,324 and 3331 cases, respectively. From a total of 59 variables, we selected 17 variables that were readily available for the ``few feature model,'' which achieved high predictive power with an accuracy of 81\% and significantly exceeded ultrasound formula methods. In addition, our model maintained superior performance for low birth weight and macrosomic fetal populations. Conclusions: Our research investigated an innovative artificial intelligence model for predicting fetal birth weight and maximizing health care resource use. In the era of big data, our model improves maternal and fetal outcomes and promotes precision medicine. ",
doi="10.2196/59377",
url="https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2025/1/e59377"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/55844,
author="Zhou, Meng
and Wang, Li
and Deng, Ying
and Ge, Jinjin
and Zhao, Shiqi
and You, Hua",
title="Effects of a Mobile Health Intervention Based on Behavioral Integrated Model on Cognitive and Behavioral Changes in Gestational Weight Management: Randomized Controlled Trial",
journal="J Med Internet Res",
year="2025",
month="Mar",
day="10",
volume="27",
pages="e55844",
keywords="cognition",
keywords="health behavior",
keywords="information-motivation-behavioral skills model",
keywords="mobile health",
keywords="psychological models",
keywords="pregnant woman",
keywords="randomized controlled trial",
keywords="mobile phone",
abstract="Background: The key to gestational weight management intervention involves health-related behaviors, including dietary and exercise management. Behavioral theory-based interventions are effective in improving health-related behaviors. However, evidence for mobile health interventions based on specific behavioral theories is insufficient and their effects have not been fully elucidated. Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of a gestational mobile health intervention on psychological cognition and behavior for gestational weight management, using an integrated behavioral model as the theoretical framework. Methods: This study was conducted in a tertiary maternity hospital and conducted as a single-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. Using the behavioral model, integrated with the protection motivation theory and information--motivation--behavioral skills model (PMT-IMB model), the intervention group received a mobile health intervention using a self-developed app from 14 to 37 gestational weeks, whereas the control group received routine guidance through the application. Psychological cognition and behaviors related to weight management during pregnancy were the main outcomes, which were measured at baseline, and at the second and third trimesters of pregnancy using a self-designed questionnaire. Generalized estimation and regression equations were used to compare the outcome differences between the intervention and control groups. Results: In total, 302 (302/360, 83.9\%) participants underwent all measurements at 3 time points (intervention group: n=150; control group: n=152). Compared with the control group, the intervention group had significantly higher scores for information, perceived vulnerability, response cost, and exercise management in the second trimester, while their scores for perceived vulnerability, response cost, and diet management were significantly higher in the third trimester. The results of repeated measures analysis revealed that, in psychological cognition, the information dimension exhibited both the time effects (T3 $\beta$=3.235, 95\% CI 2.859-3.611; P<.001) and the group effects ($\beta$=0.597, 95\% CI 0.035-1.158; P=.04). Similarly, response costs demonstrated both the time effects (T3 $\beta$=0.745, 95\% CI 0.199-1.291; P=.008) and the group effects ($\beta$=1.034, 95\% CI 0.367-1.700; P=.002). In contrast, perceived vulnerability solely exhibited the group effects ($\beta$=0.669, 95\% CI 0.050-1.288; P=.03). Regarding weight management behaviors, both time (T3 $\beta$=6, 95\% CI 4.527-7.473; P<.001) and group ($\beta$=2.685, 95\% CI 0.323-5.047; P=.03) had statistically significant impacts on the total points. Furthermore, the exercise management dimension also demonstrated both the time effects (T3 $\beta$=3.791, 95\% CI 2.999-4.584; P<.001) and the group effects ($\beta$=1.501, 95\% CI 0.232-2.771; P=.02). Conclusions: The intervention program was effective in increasing psychological cognitions in terms of information, perceived vulnerability, and response costs, as well as promoting healthy behaviors among Chinese pregnant women. This study provides new evidence supporting the effectiveness of mobile intervention based on behavioral science theory in gestational weight management. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100043231; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=121736 ",
doi="10.2196/55844",
url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e55844"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/64239,
author="Smeenk, Jesper
and Smit, Ellen
and Jacobs, Marc
and van Rooij, Ilse",
title="Evaluation of the MyFertiCoach Lifestyle App for Subfertile Couples: Single-Center Evaluation of Augmented Standard Care",
journal="JMIR Form Res",
year="2025",
month="Mar",
day="10",
volume="9",
pages="e64239",
keywords="fertility",
keywords="mHealth",
keywords="pregnancy",
keywords="lifestyle",
keywords="app",
keywords="smartphone",
abstract="Background: Many couples undergoing fertility treatment face multiple lifestyle risk factors that lower their chances of achieving pregnancy. The MyFertiCoach (MFC) app was designed as an integrated lifestyle program featuring modules on healthy weight management, nutrition, exercise, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol and drug use, and managing stress. We hypothesized that supplementing standard care with the MFC app would improve lifestyle outcomes. Objective: This study aims to assess the impact of the MFC app on changing multiple lifestyle habits in women seeking fertility treatment. The primary outcome is the change in the total risk score (TRS) at 3- and six-month follow-ups. The TRS is calculated for each individual as the sum of all risk scores per behavior (eg, vegetable/fruit/folic acid intake, smoking, and alcohol use) at 3 and 6 months. A higher TRS indicates unhealthier nutrition and lifestyle habits and a lower likelihood of achieving pregnancy. The secondary endpoints include changes in BMI, activity score, preconception dietary risk score, distress score (eg, perceived burden), smoking habits, alcohol intake, and program adherence. Methods: This retrospective, observational, single-center evaluation included patients between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023. Subfertile female patients aged 18-43 years and their partners, who were referred to a gynecologist, were invited to participate in online lifestyle coaching via the MFC app. The gynecologist selected relevant lifestyle modules based on the results of integrated screening questionnaires. We used (hierarchical) linear mixed models (LMMs) to estimate changes in outcomes. For missing data patterns deemed missing not at random, joint modeling was applied. Statistical significance was set at P?.05, with methods in place to maintain the same false-positive rate. Results: A total of 1805 patients were invited to participate in the evaluation, with an average of 737 (40.83\%) completing the screening questionnaire at baseline. For the TRS, 798 (44.21\%) patients were included at baseline, of whom 517 (64.8\%) involved their partner. On average, 282 of 744 (37.9\%) patients submitted at least one follow-up questionnaire. Patients rated the app above average (n=137, median score of 7 on a 1-10 scale) on days 7 and 14. The TRS decreased by an average of 1.5 points (P<.001) at T3 and T6 compared with baseline, a clinically meaningful improvement. All secondary outcomes showed statistically significant positive changes for patients who used a relevant lifestyle module (P<.001). Most improvements were achieved by 3 months and remained significant at 6 months (P<.001), except for alcohol intake (P<.53). These findings were consistent across both LMMs and joint models. Conclusions: Our evaluation of a mobile health app integrated into standard care demonstrates immediate and clinically meaningful improvements in key lifestyle parameters among women seeking to become pregnant. Additional scientific research is needed to identify the causal pathways leading to sustained effectiveness. To maintain and enhance these outcomes, further tailoring of patient-specific programs is essential. ",
doi="10.2196/64239",
url="https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e64239"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/51517,
author="Zadushlivy, Nina
and Biviji, Rizwana
and Williams, S. Karmen",
title="Exploration of Reproductive Health Apps' Data Privacy Policies and the Risks Posed to Users: Qualitative Content Analysis",
journal="J Med Internet Res",
year="2025",
month="Mar",
day="5",
volume="27",
pages="e51517",
keywords="data privacy policy",
keywords="reproductive health apps",
keywords="Transparency, Health Content, Excellent Technical Content, Security/Privacy, Usability, Subjective",
keywords="THESIS",
keywords="THESIS evaluation",
keywords="women's health",
keywords="menstrual health",
keywords="mobile health",
keywords="mHealth",
keywords="menstruating persons' health",
keywords="mobile phone",
abstract="Background: Mobile health apps often require the collection of identifiable information. Subsequently, this places users at significant risk of privacy breaches when the data are misused or not adequately stored and secured. These issues are especially concerning for users of reproductive health apps in the United States as protection of sensitive user information is affected by shifting governmental regulations such as the overruling of Roe v Wade and varying state-level abortion laws. Limited studies have analyzed the data privacy policies of these apps and considered the safety issues associated with a lack of user transparency and protection. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate popular reproductive health apps, assess their individual privacy policies, analyze federal and state data privacy laws governing these apps in the United States and the European Union (EU), and recommend best practices for users and app developers to ensure user data safety. Methods: In total, 4 popular reproductive health apps---Clue, Flo, Period Tracker by GP Apps, and Stardust---as identified from multiple web sources were selected through convenience sampling. This selection ensured equal representation of apps based in the United States and the EU, facilitating a comparative analysis of data safety practices under differing privacy laws. A qualitative content analysis of the apps and a review of the literature on data use policies, governmental data privacy regulations, and best practices for mobile app data privacy were conducted between January 2023 and July 2023. The apps were downloaded and systematically evaluated using the Transparency, Health Content, Excellent Technical Content, Security/Privacy, Usability, Subjective (THESIS) evaluation tool to assess their privacy and security practices. Results: The overall privacy and security scores for the EU-based apps, Clue and Flo, were both 3.5 of 5. In contrast, the US-based apps, Period Tracker by GP Apps and Stardust, received scores of 2 and 4.5, respectively. Major concerns regarding privacy and data security primarily involved the apps' use of IP address tracking and the involvement of third parties for advertising and marketing purposes, as well as the potential misuse of data. Conclusions: Currently, user expectations for data privacy in reproductive health apps are not being met. Despite stricter privacy policies, particularly with state-specific adaptations, apps must be transparent about data storage and third-party sharing even if just for marketing or analytical purposes. Given the sensitivity of reproductive health data and recent state restrictions on abortion, apps should minimize data collection, exceed encryption and anonymization standards, and reduce IP address tracking to better protect users. ",
doi="10.2196/51517",
url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e51517",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40053713"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/67386,
author="Duan, Chen-Chi
and Zhang, Chen
and Xu, Hua-Lin
and Tao, Jing
and Yu, Jia-Le
and Zhang, Dan
and Wu, Shan
and Zeng, Xiu
and Zeng, Wan-Ting
and Zhang, Zhi-Yin
and Dennis, Cindy-Lee
and Liu, Han
and Wu, Jia-Ying
and Mol, J. Ben Willem
and Huang, He-Feng
and Wu, Yan-Ting",
title="Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Preventing Postpartum Depressive Symptoms Among Pregnant Individuals With Depression: Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial in China",
journal="J Med Internet Res",
year="2025",
month="Mar",
day="4",
volume="27",
pages="e67386",
keywords="antenatal depression",
keywords="postpartum depression",
keywords="internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy",
keywords="randomized controlled trial",
abstract="Background: Women are particularly vulnerable to depression during pregnancy, which is one of the strongest risk factors for developing postpartum depression (PPD). Addressing antenatal depressive symptoms in these women is crucial for preventing PPD. However, little is known about the effectiveness of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) in preventing PPD in this high-risk group. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the short- and long-term effects of ICBT in preventing PPD among women with antenatal depressive symptoms. Methods: Participants were screened for antenatal depressive symptoms using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and randomly allocated (1:1) to either the ICBT group (receiving weekly online modules starting antenatally and continuing into early postpartum) or the control group (observed without treatment). Follow-up assessments were conducted up to 12 months postpartum, and data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations. The primary outcome was the prevalence of depressive symptoms at 6 weeks postpartum. A subgroup analysis based on the severity of antenatal depressive symptoms was also performed. The secondary outcomes included the long-term effects of ICBT on maternal depression, as well as its impact on anxiety, sleep quality, social support, parenting stress, co-parenting relationships, and infant development. Results: Between August 2020 and September 2021, 300 pregnant individuals were recruited from 5 centers across China. No significant differences were observed in depressive symptoms at 6 weeks postpartum (P=.18) or at any longer-term follow-up time points (P=.18). However, a post hoc subgroup analysis showed that participants with antenatal EPDS scores of 10-12 in the ICBT group had a lower risk of developing depression during the first year postpartum (odds ratio 0.534, 95\% CI 0.313-0.912; P=.02), but this was not observed for participants with more severe depression. Additionally, this subgroup demonstrated higher levels of co-parenting relationships (P=.02). Conclusions: Among individuals with antenatal depression, ICBT did not prevent the development of PPD. However, ICBT may be a preferable option for those with mild to moderate antenatal depressive symptoms. Future research is needed to explore modifications to ICBT to address more severe depressive symptoms. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000033433; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=54482 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): RR2-10.1186/s13063-022-06728-5 ",
doi="10.2196/67386",
url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e67386",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/40053801"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/63570,
author="Plouvier, Pauline
and Marcilly, Romaric
and Robin, Geoffroy
and Benamar, Chaymae
and Robin, Camille
and Simon, Virginie
and Piau, Sophie Anne
and Cambay, Isabelle
and Schiro, Jessica
and Decanter, Christine",
title="Evaluation of Satisfaction With a Secure, Connected Mobile App for Women in Assisted Reproductive Technology Programs: Prospective Observational Study",
journal="JMIR Hum Factors",
year="2025",
month="Feb",
day="24",
volume="12",
pages="e63570",
keywords="mobile apps",
keywords="mHealth",
keywords="mobile health",
keywords="assisted reproductive technologies",
keywords="evaluation",
keywords="satisfaction",
keywords="reproduction",
keywords="fertility",
keywords="ovarian stimulation",
keywords="ease of use",
keywords="usability",
keywords="midwives",
keywords="obstetrics",
keywords="gynecology",
abstract="Background: Telemedicine has emerged rapidly as a novel and secure tool to deliver medical information and prescriptions. A secure, connected health care app (WiStim) has been developed in order to facilitate dialogue between patients and the medical team during an ovarian stimulation cycle for medically assisted reproduction (MAR). Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the patients' and midwives' levels of satisfaction with the connected mobile app. Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational, single-center study at Lille University Hospital, France. From May 1 to July 31, 2021, all women undergoing ovarian stimulation started to receive their treatment advice through the mobile app. A total of 184 women were included and they filled out the 30-item Usefulness Satisfaction and Ease-of-Use (USE) questionnaire, which examines the users' opinions in 4 dimensions: usefulness, ease of use, ease of learning, and satisfaction. The women also answered a series of closed and open questions. The 5 midwives in our assisted reproductive technology center filled out the French version of the 10-item System Usability Scale (SUS) when the app was implemented and then after 3 and 6 months of use. We also performed semistructured interviews with the midwives. Results: Overall, 183 women using the app completed the questionnaire. None refused to use the app, and 1 withdrew from the study. The mean scores for the four USE dimensions were all significantly greater than 4, that is, the middle of the response scale. The women liked the app's ease of use, the access to tutorial videos, and the reminders about appointments and treatments. In particular, the women liked to be able to (re)read the information; this reassured them, might have reduced the number of missed appointments and treatments, and made them more independent during the day, especially when they were working. Some of the women regretted the loss of direct contact with the midwife. The mean SUS score was 76 (SD 13.54) at the start of the study, 75 (SD 17.16) after 3 months, and 84 (11.21) after 6 months. According to the adjective rating scale, these scores corresponded to good usability for the app. After the requisite training and a familiarization period, the midwives reported that using the app saved them 2 hours a day. The mobile app enabled better transmission of information and thus probably helped to decrease treatment errors. Conclusions: The WiStim connected mobile app is one of the first reliable, secure apps in the field of MAR. The app reassured the patients during the ovarian stimulation. Women and the medical team considered that the app was easy and intuitive to use. Given the growth in demand for MAR programs and the medical team's workload, the time savings provided by the app constitute a nonnegligible advantage. ",
doi="10.2196/63570",
url="https://humanfactors.jmir.org/2025/1/e63570"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/56230,
author="Hassdenteufel, Kathrin
and M{\"u}ller, Mitho
and Abele, Harald
and Brucker, Yvonne Sara
and Graf, Johanna
and Zipfel, Stephan
and Bauer, Armin
and Jakubowski, Peter
and Pauluschke-Fr{\"o}hlich, Jan
and Wallwiener, Markus
and Wallwiener, Stephanie",
title="Improving Maternal Mental Health and Weight Control With a Mindfulness Blended Care Approach: Insights From a Randomized Controlled Trial",
journal="J Med Internet Res",
year="2025",
month="Feb",
day="24",
volume="27",
pages="e56230",
keywords="peripartum mental health",
keywords="digital intervention",
keywords="depression",
keywords="anxiety",
keywords="personal coaching",
keywords="ehealth",
keywords="pregnancy",
keywords="maternal mental health",
keywords="weight gain",
keywords="mindfulness-based intervention",
keywords="coaching",
keywords="randomized controlled clinical trial",
keywords="postpartum",
keywords="treatment",
keywords="electronic",
keywords="effectiveness",
keywords="women",
abstract="Background: Perinatal maternal mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, are highly prevalent during pregnancy and post partum. Electronic mindfulness-based interventions (eMBIs) are a promising treatment option, which can be provided in a low-threshold, cost-effective manner. However, research underscores the fact that face-to-face coaching sessions are more effective than solely digital methods. A blended care approach (eMBI with direct face-to-face coaching) could amplify the therapeutic impact on maternal mental health and weight gain during the perinatal period. Objective: We investigated whether combining an eMBI intervention with face-to-face personal support significantly improves maternal mental health, and whether the intervention can influence weight gain in affected women during pregnancy. Methods: A community-based sample of 460 pregnant women with a singleton pregnancy who screened positive for depression was enrolled in a multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) including the University Hospitals of Heidelberg and T{\"u}bingen as well as more than 200 gynecological practices within the state of Baden-W{\"u}rttemberg in Germany between February 2019 and October 2020. Participating women were randomized 1:1 to the control group (CG) or intervention group (IG) that received access to an 8-week pregnancy-adapted eMBI between the 29th and 36th gestational week. In a subanalysis, we grouped participants in those receiving only the initial face-to-face coaching session at recruitment (no personal coaching) and those with ?2 personal coaching sessions. Primary outcome measures were severity of depressive symptoms using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Questionnaire, the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory, and the Patient Health Questionnaire; secondary outcome measure, BMI. Results: In the final sample, 137 CG women and 102 IG women received only one coaching session, whereas 37 CG women and 40 IG women received at least 2 (mean 2.3, SD 0.7) coaching sessions. The analyses were adjusted for significant confounders. The IG's mindfulness scores increased significantly (F1.873,344.619=4.560, P=.01, $\eta${\texttwosuperior}=0.024, $\omega${\texttwosuperior}=0.012) regardless of coaching frequency. Both general anxiety (F12,129=2.361, P=.01, $\eta${\texttwosuperior}=0.0180, $\omega${\texttwosuperior}=0.100) and depression symptoms (F4.758, 699.423=3.033, P=.01, $\eta${\texttwosuperior}=0.020, $\omega${\texttwosuperior}=0.009) were significantly lower in the group that received ?2 coaching sessions than in the no-personal-coaching group. In the group receiving ?2 coaching sessions, BMI generally was lower in the IG than in the CG (F3.555,444.416=4.732, P=.002, $\eta${\texttwosuperior}=0.036, $\omega${\texttwosuperior}=0.013). Conclusions: Adding a minimal amount of PC to the digital eMBI increased mindfulness and decreased birth-related anxiety, symptoms of depression, and anxiety in at-risk pregnant women. Favorable effects on gestational weight gain were found in the respective IGs, the strongest effect being within the PC group. This blended digital health approach amplifies the effectiveness of the digital intervention. Trial Registration: German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00017210; https://www.drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00017210 ",
doi="10.2196/56230",
url="https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e56230",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39992700"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/60315,
author="Knowles, Kayla
and Lee, Susan
and Yapalater, Sophia
and Taylor, Maria
and Akers, Y. Aletha
and Wood, Sarah
and Dowshen, Nadia",
title="Simulation of Contraceptive Access for Adolescents and Young Adults Using a Pharmacist-Staffed e-Platform: Development, Usability, and Pilot Testing Study",
journal="JMIR Pediatr Parent",
year="2025",
month="Feb",
day="19",
volume="8",
pages="e60315",
keywords="adolescent",
keywords="contraception",
keywords="telemedicine",
keywords="user-centered design",
keywords="young adult",
keywords="reproductive",
keywords="design",
keywords="usability",
keywords="experience",
keywords="mHealth",
keywords="mobile health",
keywords="app",
keywords="youth",
keywords="teenager",
keywords="drug",
keywords="pharmacology",
keywords="pharmacotherapy",
keywords="pharmaceutics",
keywords="medication",
keywords="pharmacy",
keywords="digital health",
keywords="platform",
keywords="access",
abstract="Background: Offering contraceptive methods at pharmacies without a prescription is an innovative solution to reduce the incidence of unintended pregnancies among adolescents and young adults (AYA). Pharmacy-prescribed contraception may increase the convenience, simplicity, and affordability of contraceptives. Objective: The aim of this study was to develop, pilot test, and evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of a telemedicine electronic platform app simulating pharmacist prescribing of contraceptives to AYA as well as assess agreement between pharmacist-simulated contraceptive approvals and contraception as prescribed in routine clinic visits. Methods: This study was conducted in two phases: (1) development and usability testing of a prototype app to simulate pharmacists prescribing contraceptives to AYA and (2) pilot testing the app in a simulation for AYA requesting contraception from a pharmacist with pharmacist review and request approval or rejection. Eligibility criteria in both phases included the following: assigned female sex at birth, age 15-21 years, seeking contraceptive services at an academic adolescent medicine clinic, prior history of or intention to have penile-vaginal intercourse in the next 12 months, smartphone ownership, and English language proficiency. Phase 1 (usability) involved a video-recorded ``think aloud'' interview to share feedback and technical issues while using the app prototype on a smartphone and the completion of sociodemographic, sexual history, and perception of the prototype surveys to further develop the app. Phase 2 (pilot) participants completed phase 1 surveys, tested the updated app in a simulation, and shared their experiences in an audio-recorded interview. Descriptive analyses were conducted for quantitative survey data, and thematic analyses were used for interview transcripts. Results: Of the 22 participants, 10 completed usability testing, with a mean age of 16.9 (SD 1.97) years, and 12 completed pilot testing, with a mean age of 18.25 (SD 1.48) years. Three issues with the prototype were identified during ``think aloud'' interviews: challenges in comprehension of medical language, prototype glitches, and graphic design suggestions for engagement. Usability testing guided the frontend and backend creation of the platform. Overall, participants agreed or strongly agreed that using an app to receive contraceptives would make it easier for teens to access (n=19, 86\%) and make contraceptive use less stigmatizing (n=19, 86\%). In addition, participants agreed that receiving contraception prescriptions from a pharmacist without a clinic visit would be safe (n=18, 82\%), convenient (n=19, 86\%), acceptable (n=18, 82\%), and easy (n=18, 82\%). Pharmacists and medical providers had 100\% agreement on the prescribed contraceptive method for pilot participants. Conclusions: AYA found contraceptive prescription by a pharmacist via an app to be highly acceptable and provided critical feedback to improve the design and delivery of the app. Additionally, pharmacist contraceptive approvals and contraception as prescribed in routine clinic visits were identical. ",
doi="10.2196/60315",
url="https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2025/1/e60315"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/66852,
author="Asadollahi, Fateme
and Ebrahimzadeh Zagami, Samira
and Eslami, Saeid
and Latifnejad Roudsari, Robab",
title="Evaluating the Quality, Content Accuracy, and User Suitability of mHealth Prenatal Care Apps for Expectant Mothers: Critical Assessment Study",
journal="Asian Pac Isl Nurs J",
year="2025",
month="Feb",
day="13",
volume="9",
pages="e66852",
keywords="pregnancy",
keywords="prenatal care",
keywords="mobile health apps",
keywords="mHealth",
keywords="women's health",
keywords="health care providers",
keywords="quality assessment",
keywords="content evaluation",
keywords="suitability assessment",
keywords="digital health",
keywords="smartphones",
keywords="eHealth",
keywords="telehealth",
keywords="telemedicine",
keywords="health promotion",
keywords="technology",
keywords="functionality",
keywords="systematic search",
abstract="Background: The proliferation of health apps in the digital health landscape has created significant opportunities for health promotion, particularly during pregnancy. However, despite the widespread distribution and popularity of pregnancy mobile apps, there are limited data on their quality and content. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the quality, content accuracy, and suitability of the most popular and freely available Persian mobile health (mHealth) apps for prenatal care in expectant mothers. Methods: Through a systematic search, a total of 199 apps were screened from available app stores using the search term ``pregnancy app'' until July 2023. Inclusion criteria were apps in the Farsi language, freely available, downloaded more than 10,000 times, and designed for pregnant women. Ultimately, 9 apps met these criteria. These apps were downloaded onto mobile phones and assessed by 2 independent reviewers using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS), the Coverage and Depth of Information Checklist, and the Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM). Statistical analyses explored relationships between app quality metrics and user ratings. Results: The 9 apps evaluated had an average MARS score of 3.55 (SD 0.61) out of 5. Aesthetics (mean 4.02, SD 0.45) and Functionality (mean 4.11, SD 0.36) scored the highest, followed by Engagement (mean 3.29, SD 0.53) and Information (mean 3.09, SD 0.48). User star ratings did not strongly correlate with MARS scores (r=0.38, P>.05). Regarding health information coverage, 6 out of 9 (66.7\%) apps were rated as poor, and 3 (33.3\%) as adequate. For SAM, 4 (44.4\%) apps were rated as superior and 5 (55.6\%) as adequate. No app received a poor score. Conclusions: The study underscores the need for improved standards in pregnancy app development to enhance educational efficacy and user satisfaction. Health care providers should recommend high-quality pregnancy apps with appropriate content to ensure effective health promotion. These findings contribute to understanding the current landscape of pregnancy apps and highlight areas for future research and regulatory attention. Trial Registration: PROSPERO CRD42023461605; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display\_record.php?RecordID=461605 ",
doi="10.2196/66852",
url="https://apinj.jmir.org/2025/1/e66852"
}
@Article{info:doi/10.2196/60038,
author="Fitzgerald, Haley
and Frank, Madison
and Kasula, Katelyn
and Krans, E. Elizabeth
and Krishnamurti, Tamar",
title="Usability and Acceptability of a Pregnancy App for Substance Use Screening and Education: A Mixed Methods Exploratory Pilot Study",
journal="JMIR Pediatr Parent",
year="2025",
month="Feb",
day="13",
volume="8",
pages="e60038",
keywords="substance use disorder",
keywords="substance use screening",
keywords="mHealth",
keywords="mobile health apps",
keywords="pregnancy",
keywords="technology",
abstract="Background: Increasing opioid and other substance use has led to a crisis of epidemic proportions, with substance use now recognized as a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States. Interventions will only be effective if those who would benefit are identified early and connected to care. Apps are a ubiquitous source of pregnancy information, but their utility as a platform for evaluating substance use during pregnancy is unknown. Objective: This study aims to explore the usability and acceptability of a pregnancy app for opioid and other substance use screening and education. Methods: This mixed methods, exploratory pilot study examined adult pregnant people with a history of substance use who were recruited from outpatient and inpatient settings at a tertiary care obstetric hospital. After completing a baseline survey collecting demographics, substance use, and technology use, participants accessed an existing pregnancy support app for 4 weeks. Qualitative methods were used to measure the acceptability of embedding substance use screening, education, and information within the tool. App use frequency and access to substance use educational content and treatment referral information were evaluated. Results: The 28 female participants had a mean (SD) age of 31 (0.46) years; most were White (21/28, 75\%) and Medicaid insured (26/28, 93\%), with an annual household income of