Bethel Mieso1, Mandy Neudecker2, Lydia Furman3,4. 1. Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA. 2. Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Academic Pediatrics, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, 11000 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA. 3. Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA. Lydia.Furman@uhhospitals.org. 4. Department of Pediatrics, Division of General Academic Pediatrics, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, 11000 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA. Lydia.Furman@uhhospitals.org.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Racial disparities persist with respect to breastfeeding. The use of health e-technology is increasing, with promise for a role in improving breastfeeding outcomes. OBJECTIVE: We undertook a scoping review of both individual breastfeeding apps and the literature on breastfeeding apps to map the available evidence on app-based breastfeeding support for African-American mothers. DESIGN: A systematic search of online databases identified 241 English language papers published on or before June 2020 that included e-technology in support of breastfeeding. We included those that (1) described individual human subjects research studies utilizing any research design, (2) described app-based breastfeeding support, and (3) could be pertinent for African-American mothers, and assessed for inclusion and relevance for this population. We also searched app stores for breastfeeding apps, and evaluated features with a rubric. Our aim was to identify if gaps exist relative to breastfeeding support for African-Americans. RESULTS: Of the 15 publications meeting inclusion criteria, 9 focused on app development, 4 examined user experience, and 3 examined breastfeeding outcomes with use of an app (one study overlapped categories). The percentage of African-American participants ranged from 100% (2 studies) to none (7 studies); 3 studies (20%) focused on African-American mothers' breastfeeding experience. Of 77 apps that met inclusion criteria, just one was both breastfeeding-focused by content and targeted for African-Americans by picture predominance. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of studies was generally high and many included African-American participants, but research focused on breastfeeding apps specifically for African-American mothers/parents is limited, creating a meaningful gap in the literature.
BACKGROUND: Racial disparities persist with respect to breastfeeding. The use of health e-technology is increasing, with promise for a role in improving breastfeeding outcomes. OBJECTIVE: We undertook a scoping review of both individual breastfeeding apps and the literature on breastfeeding apps to map the available evidence on app-based breastfeeding support for African-American mothers. DESIGN: A systematic search of online databases identified 241 English language papers published on or before June 2020 that included e-technology in support of breastfeeding. We included those that (1) described individual human subjects research studies utilizing any research design, (2) described app-based breastfeeding support, and (3) could be pertinent for African-American mothers, and assessed for inclusion and relevance for this population. We also searched app stores for breastfeeding apps, and evaluated features with a rubric. Our aim was to identify if gaps exist relative to breastfeeding support for African-Americans. RESULTS: Of the 15 publications meeting inclusion criteria, 9 focused on app development, 4 examined user experience, and 3 examined breastfeeding outcomes with use of an app (one study overlapped categories). The percentage of African-American participants ranged from 100% (2 studies) to none (7 studies); 3 studies (20%) focused on African-American mothers' breastfeeding experience. Of 77 apps that met inclusion criteria, just one was both breastfeeding-focused by content and targeted for African-Americans by picture predominance. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of studies was generally high and many included African-American participants, but research focused on breastfeeding apps specifically for African-American mothers/parents is limited, creating a meaningful gap in the literature.
Authors: Josephus Fm van den Heuvel; T Katrien Groenhof; Jan Hw Veerbeek; Wouter W van Solinge; A Titia Lely; Arie Franx; Mireille N Bekker Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2018-06-05 Impact factor: 5.428