Julie Maslowsky1, Sara Frost2, C Emily Hendrick3, Freddy O Trujillo Cruz4, Sofia D Merajver5. 1. Department of Kinesiology and Health Education and Population Research Center, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA. Electronic address: maslowsky@austin.utexas.edu. 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. 3. Department of Kinesiology and Health Education and Population Research Center, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA. 4. Department of Epidemiology, Universidad Técnica Equinoccial and Hospital General Enrique Garcés, Quito, Ecuador. 5. Departments of Internal Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a mobile phone-based intervention on postnatal maternal health behavior and maternal and infant health in a middle-income country. METHODS: A prospective evaluation enrolled consecutive postpartum women at two public hospitals in Quito, Ecuador, between June and August 2012. Inclusion criteria were live birth, no neonatal intensive care admission, and Spanish speaking. Intervention and control groups were assigned via random number generation. The intervention included a telephone-delivered educational session and phone/text access to a nurse for 30days after delivery. Maternal and infant health indicators were recorded at delivery and 3months after delivery via chart review and written/telephone-administered survey. RESULTS: Overall, 102 women were assigned to the intervention group and 76 to the control group. At 3months, intervention participants were more likely to attend the infant's postnatal check-up (P=0.022) and to breastfeed exclusively (P=0.005), and less likely to feed formula (P=0.016). They used more effective forms of contraception (more implants P=0.023; fewer condoms P=0.036) and reported fewer infant illnesses (P=0.010). There were no differences in maternal acute illness or check-up attendance. CONCLUSION:Mobile phone-based postnatal patient education is a promising strategy for improving breastfeeding, contraceptive use, and infant health in low-resource settings; different strategies are needed to influence postpartum maternal health behavior.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a mobile phone-based intervention on postnatal maternal health behavior and maternal and infant health in a middle-income country. METHODS: A prospective evaluation enrolled consecutive postpartum women at two public hospitals in Quito, Ecuador, between June and August 2012. Inclusion criteria were live birth, no neonatal intensive care admission, and Spanish speaking. Intervention and control groups were assigned via random number generation. The intervention included a telephone-delivered educational session and phone/text access to a nurse for 30days after delivery. Maternal and infant health indicators were recorded at delivery and 3months after delivery via chart review and written/telephone-administered survey. RESULTS: Overall, 102 women were assigned to the intervention group and 76 to the control group. At 3months, intervention participants were more likely to attend the infant's postnatal check-up (P=0.022) and to breastfeed exclusively (P=0.005), and less likely to feed formula (P=0.016). They used more effective forms of contraception (more implants P=0.023; fewer condoms P=0.036) and reported fewer infant illnesses (P=0.010). There were no differences in maternal acute illness or check-up attendance. CONCLUSION: Mobile phone-based postnatal patient education is a promising strategy for improving breastfeeding, contraceptive use, and infant health in low-resource settings; different strategies are needed to influence postpartum maternal health behavior.
Authors: Julie Maslowsky; Bina Valsangkar; Jennifer Chung; Jennifer Rasanathan; Freddy Trujillo Cruz; Marco Ochoa; Monica Chiriboga; Fernando Astudillo; Michele Heisler; Sofia Merajver Journal: Telemed J E Health Date: 2012-03-19 Impact factor: 3.536
Authors: Mary J Baker-Ericzén; Cynthia D Connelly; Andrea L Hazen; Cecilia Dueñas; John A Landsverk; Sarah McCue Horwitz Journal: Fam Syst Health Date: 2012-06-18 Impact factor: 1.950