A Smartphone-Based Health Behavioral Intervention for Pregnant Women with Iron Deficiency Anemia

Abstract

Abstract Context: Iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy is a major health problem and one of the leading causes responsible for maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Aim & study design: Quasi-experimental study design was conducted aiming to evaluate the effect of a Smartphone-based health behavioral intervention on pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia. Setting: The study was conducted at Antenatal Outpatient clinic at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital. Tools: Three Tools were used for data collection I) a structured interviewing questionnaire, II) maternal knowledge assessment Questionnaire), and III) Women Reported Self-Care Practice Checklists. Result: There was a statistically significant difference regarding pregnant women's all aspects of knowledge and practice about iron deficiency anemia and their total mean score of hemoglobin level pre-and post study intervention(p<0.001), and there was a positive correlation between pregnant women’s' total score of knowledge and total score of practices at pre- intervention , and post -intervention (p<0.001). Conclusion: implementation of a smartphone-based health behavioral intervention has a positive effect on the enhancing pregnant women' knowledge and practices regarding iron deficiency anemia at post intervention compared to pre-intervention, Additionally, there was a statistically significant improvement in the hemoglobin level at post intervention compared to pre intervention. Recommendations: Applying a Smartphone-based health behavioral intervention in different settings of Maternity health care. Further research is needed to evaluate the effect of a smartphone-based health behavioral intervention regarding iron deficiency anemia on maternal and fetal outcomes.