Identifying Mobile Health Technology Experiences and Preferences of Low-Income Pregnant Women with Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Rapid expansion of mobile technology has resulted in the development of many mobile health ("mHealth") platforms for health monitoring and support. However, applicability, desirability, and extent of tailoring of these platforms for pregnant women, particularly in populations who experience the greatest health inequities-such as women with diabetes mellitus (DM) and/or those with greater socioeconomic barriers-remains unknown. The objective is to understand low-income pregnant women's experiences and preferences for mHealth tools to support DM health and improve DM self-management during pregnancy. METHODS: Low-income pregnant and postpartum women were included in individual interviews or focus groups; women with type 2 DM, gestational DM, or no DM were included. Analysis was performed with the constant comparison method. RESULTS: In this population of 45 (N=37 with DM) low-income, largely minority, pregnant and postpartum women, 100% reported access to smartphones and prior experience with apps. Interest in mHealth to support health and engagement during pregnancy was high. Preferences for general mHealth features included education that reduces uncertainty, support communities, visualizing progress, convenient access to information, and support for better management of pregnancy-related tasks. Preferred design elements included personalization, interactive features, and integrated graphics. Women with DM expressed multiple additional DM-specific needs, including support tools for DM self-management and self-regulation tasks. CONCLUSION: Pregnant and postpartum women, especially those with DM, desire mHealth technology to support engagement and to adapt lifestyle guidelines and treatment requirements for a healthy pregnancy. Further work to develop mHealth interventions tailored for target populations remains a key step in reducing health inequities and promoting access to evidence-based perinatal health interventions.

Patient and Provider Perspectives on a Novel Mobile Health Intervention for Low-Income Pregnant Women With Gestational or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Management of diabetes mellitus (DM) during pregnancy is burdensome given the intensity of required patient engagement and skills, especially for women with greater social disadvantage. Mobile health (mHealth) technology is a promising avenue for DM health promotion, but few evidence-based mHealth tools exist for pregnancy. Thus, we designed a theory-driven mHealth tool called SweetMama, and planned a priori to gather usability and acceptability feedback from patients and providers to ensure a user-centered design. METHODS: In this qualitative assessment, we solicited patient and provider feedback on this novel educational and motivational mobile application for low-income pregnant women with type 2 or gestational DM. Patients and providers participated in separate focus groups. Participants shared feedback regarding SweetMama's visual appeal, architecture, and content. SweetMama modifications were made in an iterative manner. Transcripts were analyzed using the constant comparative technique. RESULTS: Patient (N = 16) and provider (N = 29) feedback was organized as positive feedback, negative feedback, or additional desired features. Within each category, themes addressed SweetMama visual features, information, or functional features. The majority of negative feedback was addressed and multiple desired features were implemented via iterative application development, resulting in a user-friendly, efficient, and potentially impactful mHealth app designed to support the unique needs of this population. CONCLUSIONS: SweetMama users had largely positive feedback about the mHealth tool's appeal, content, and functionality. Suggested improvements were incorporated in preparation for further evaluation steps, which include longitudinal usability testing, feasibility trials, and larger trials to determine the efficacy of SweetMama use for improving perinatal outcomes.

Patient and Provider Perceptions of a Patient Navigation Program to Improve Postpartum Care Among Publicly Insured Women.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to assess patient and provider perceptions of a postpartum patient navigation program. STUDY DESIGN: This was a mixed-method assessment of a postpartum patient navigation program. Navigating New Motherhood (NNM) participants completed a follow-up survey including the Patient Satisfaction with Interpersonal Relationship with Navigator (PSN-I) scale and an open-ended question. PSN-I scores were analyzed descriptively. Eighteen provider stakeholders underwent in-depth interviews to gauge program satisfaction, perceived outcomes, and ideas for improvement. Qualitative data were analyzed by the constant comparative method. RESULTS: In this population of low-income, minority women, participants (n = 166) were highly satisfied with NNM. The median PSN-I score was 45 out of 45 (interquartile range [IQR]: 43-45), where a higher score corresponds to higher satisfaction. Patient feedback was also highly positive, though a small number desired more navigator support. Provider stakeholders offered consistently positive program feedback, expressing satisfaction with NNM execution and outcomes. Provider stakeholders noted that navigators avoided inhibiting clinic workflow and eased clinic administrative burden. They perceived NNM improved multiple clinical and satisfaction outcomes. All provider stakeholders believed that NNM should be sustained long-term; suggestions for improvement were offered. CONCLUSION: A postpartum patient navigation program can perceivably improve patient satisfaction, clinical care, and clinic workflow without burden to clinic providers.

"Real-world" effect of a peer counselor on breastfeeding outcomes in an urban prenatal clinic in the United States.

BACKGROUND: One approach for improving breastfeeding support and alleviating breastfeeding disparities is the implementation of a clinic-based peer counselor. Our objective was to assess the "real life" effects of an autonomous peer counselor who provides tailored support to low-income, minority women based on individual needs rather than a pre-determined research protocol. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study of women receiving publicly funded prenatal care during the 6 months before and after introduction of a peer counselor in a single prenatal clinic. The peer counselor provided one-on-one antenatal and postpartum lactation support. Electronic medical record and survey data were collected. The primary outcome was breastfeeding continuation at 6 weeks postpartum. Secondary outcomes included breastfeeding comfort, confidence, and training satisfaction, any breastfeeding, and total breastfeeding duration. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were performed. RESULTS: Peer counselor exposure was not associated with the primary outcome of continued breastfeeding at 6 weeks (55.6% with peer counselor versus 49.1% without; aOR 1.26, 95% CI 0.69-2.31). However, women with peer counselor exposure were more likely to be satisfied with breastfeeding training at the time of delivery (98.2% vs. 83.6%, p = 0.006) and were more likely to have performed any breastfeeding (89.8% vs. 78.9%, p = 0.04), which remained significant on multivariable analysis (aOR 2.85, 95% CI 1.11-7.32). CONCLUSIONS: Peer counselor interventions are a promising approach to increase breastfeeding initiation. Further research is required to inform the most efficacious approach while also allowing peer counselors to operate independently and in line with the specific needs of their clients.

Evaluating the use of text message communication in a postpartum patient navigation program for publicly insured women.

OBJECTIVE: To compare communication between navigators and women according to follow-up status in a postpartum patient navigation program ("Navigating New Motherhood" [NNM]). METHODS: This is a mixed methods secondary analysis of text message and email transcripts from NNM. Transcripts were analyzed by number of messages sent, received, and unanswered. Message themes were qualitatively analyzed using constant comparative technique. Bivariable and multivariable tests were conducted. RESULTS: Most women (98.2%) communicated with navigators via text message. Women who completed postpartum follow-up sent and received more texts than women who did not (7.8 vs. 3.7, p < 0.001 and 11.5 vs. 8.0, p < 0.05, respectively); exchange of ≥6 messages was associated with greater odds of follow-up (adjusted odds ratio 2.89, 95% CI1.13-7.41). Lack of patient response was also associated with lack of follow-up (p < 0.001). Four categories of message themes were identified: Rapport-building, Postpartum Care Coordination, Maternal Health, and Motherhood. Message threads with more Rapport-building or Maternal Health messages were associated with more frequent patient follow-up (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively), as was average number of emoticons per message thread (2.1 vs. 1.2, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: More frequent and multidimensional communication was associated with follow-up in a postpartum patient navigation program. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Text messaging can serve as a favorable communication platform within patient navigation.