Empowering expecting mothers: a qualitative exploration of perceived needs and preferences of pregnant women towards educational resources of perinatal mhealth apps.

BACKGROUND

The rapid adoption of mobile health (mHealth) technologies presents an opportunity to enhance prenatal care through tailored educational interventions. However, the success of such applications relies on their alignment with user needs, preferences, and sociocultural contexts. This study aimed to explore the perceived needs and preferences of Iranian pregnant women towards educational resources of perinatal mhealth apps.

METHODS

A qualitative content analysis was conducted involving 14 pregnant women, who recruited via purposive sampling from hospitals affiliated with Mashhad University of Medical Sciences and private clinics in Mashhad, Northeast Iran from May to December 2023. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews and analyzed using conventional content analysis approach introduced by Elo and Kyngäs (2008). Trustworthiness was ensured through triangulation, member checking, and peer debriefing.

RESULTS

The overarching theme of "Empowering expectant mothers in maternal journey" emerged from a comprehensive analysis revealing three interconnected categories of pregnant women's perceived needs and preferences towards educational resources of perinatal mhealth apps including (1) 'Need for Holistic Maternal Well-Being' which highlights critical needs for mastering stress and strengthening emotional adaptability, Building Daily Routines for Self-Care and Resilience, nutritional wisdom for holistic health as well as harmonizing work-life dynamics (2) 'Necessity of Proactive Birth Readiness' that emphasizes the importance of tailored understanding of delivery options, empowered pain management strategies, navigating high-risk pregnancy situations, designing a personalized birth journey and navigating maternity care systems and hospital choices, and (3) 'Demand for Connected Relationships and Support' which shows a profound need for enriching maternal-fetal connection, shared parenting journeys and partner collaboration, navigating intimacy and sexual health, building community and peer networks and spiritual growth and reflective practices.

CONCLUSION

The study reveals that effective mHealth applications must transcend traditional informational approaches, offering holistic, culturally sensitive, and empowerment-oriented educational support. By addressing the multidimensional needs of pregnant women, these technologies can significantly enhance maternal healthcare experiences, promote informed decision-making, and support comprehensive well-being.