Postpartum
Conditions
Keywords
postpartum, parenting, smartphone, mobile applications
Brief summary
The goal of this trial is to learn if a smartphone app designed to provide postpartum support is acceptable to new mothers in Pennsylvania. The main questions it aims to answer are: * How easy is the app is to use? * Does the app meet the needs of new parents? * Is using the app associated with better understanding of critical postpartum symptoms? * Is using the app associated with endorsement of positive parenting statements? Participants will: * Use a postpartum support app on their smartphones for 8 weeks * Answer survey questions about their experience
Detailed description
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a smartphone app designed to provide postpartum education, screening and tracking, and positive parenting support for newly postpartum English-language speakers in Pennsylvania. This trial will also examine the preliminary effectiveness of the smartphone app for identifying symptoms and supporting positive parenting beliefs by measuring knowledge and attitude changes from pre-app use to post-app use.
Interventions
OTHERSmartphone application
The smartphone app is designed to provide postpartum education, screening and tracking, and positive parenting support for newly postpartum English-language speakers in Pennsylvania.
Sponsors
Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11
University of Pittsburgh
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Recently delivered one or two live births at hospital recruitment site * 18-45 years of age * Can participate in English * Has smartphone access for at least two months (study duration)
Exclusion criteria
* Did NOT recently deliver one or two live births at hospital recruitment site * \<18 or \>45 years of age * Cannot participate in English * Does not have smartphone for at least two months (study duration)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptability of App | Day 10, Week 4, and Week 8 of study participation | 20 questions tailored from the Unified Theory of Acceptance of Use of Technology (UTAUT) asked at 3 study timepoints: 10 days, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. 11 of the 20 questions are repeated across timepoints that assess the smartphone app (e.g., The amount of information in \[the app\] is what I need or Overall, I like \[the app\]). The remaining 9 are specific to distinct features of the app that are made available to the user at specific timepoints (e.g., I like the way the healing check-in looks and feels; I like the way the \[2-month\] baby milestones look and feel). Answers are measured on a 5-point Likert scale, ranging from (1)strongly disagree to (5) strongly agree (5), unless reverse-coded. Means and standard deviations will be calculated for each item, with higher responses indicating higher levels of acceptability. |
| Feasibility of App Use | From enrollment (baseline) to the end of study participation at 8 weeks. | Feasibility will be measured using rate of engagement. Engagement will be evaluated by the number of study weeks that users uniquely access the smartphone app. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge - postpartum symptoms | Enrollment (baseline), day 10, week 4, and week 8 of study participation | From a list of 14 postpartum symptoms, participants will be asked to classify the symptom with the appropriate response: monitor at home, call your provider, or call 911/seek emergency care. Baseline knowledge will be measured at enrollment based on the number correct out of 14, with follow-up measurements taken at 10 days, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. |
| Attitudes - positive parenting | Enrollment (baseline), day 10, week 4, and week 8 of study participation | From a list of 10 statements focused on parenting practices, participants will rate the statements from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5). Example statements include, Skin-to-skin contact improves baby health and development, Babies need strict routines (reverse coded), and Infants should be fed when they show hunger cues. These responses are summed, with higher scores indicating stronger endorsement of positive parenting. These measurements are taken as a baseline measurement at enrollment, and then again at 10 days, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Health services utilization | Day 10, week 4, and week 8 of study participation | Well-visit (maternal) and check-up (infants) attendance are surveyed on day 10, week 4, and week 8 (e.g., Has your baby (or twins) had their first well visit with their pediatrician yet? or Have you attended a postpartum check-up?). Non-routine healthcare utilization is surveyed at week 4 and week 8 (e.g., In the last 4 weeks, did your baby (or twins) have a visit at an emergency department?or In the last 8 weeks, did you call, message or schedule a visit with your Obstetrician or Primary Care Provider for a reason other than a postpartum check-up?). Distributions for each response will be used for analysis. |
Countries
United States
Contacts
Primary ContactTamar Krishnamurti, PhD
Outcome results
None listed