Background Women consult information in mobile apps (apps) during pregnancy, and even obstetrics specialists highlight that pregnancy is the ideal moment for the use of apps as consultation sources. However, the high number of apps designed for pregnancy requires a careful assessment to determine their suitability before recommendation. Objective The aim of this study is to identify the apps available in Spanish that can be recommended based on their content, behavior change techniques (BCTs), and quality as a complementary tool during pregnancy. Methods A systematic search on app stores to identify apps was performed in the Apple App Store and Google Play with the subject term “pregnancy.” The apps meeting the following criteria were chosen: pregnancy-related content, free, and available in Spanish. An app was excluded if it was classified as a game or entertainment and thus lacking an educational or health aim and if it did not target the population under study. The selected apps were downloaded, and their quality was assessed using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS), with the BCTs included evaluated using the BCT taxonomy version 1 and its content. Results A total of 457 apps were identified, 25 of which were downloaded for assessment (5.6%). The median for objective and subjective quality was 2.94 (IQR 2.71-3.46) and 1.75 (IQR 1.25-2.25), respectively. Regarding content, the median of topics included in the apps was 23 (IQR 16-23), with weight gain, nutrition, fetal development, and physical activity being the most common. The median number of BCTs was 12 (IQR 0.5-3.5). The most frequently identified BCTs in the apps were “Self-Monitoring of Outcomes,” followed by “Goal Behavior” and “Instructions.” Statistically significant correlations were observed between objective quality and content (ρ=0.624; P=.001), subjective quality and content (ρ=0.638; P=.001), objective quality and BCTs (ρ=0.672; P<.001), subjective quality and BCTs (ρ=0.623; P<.001), and BCTs and content (ρ=0.580; P=.002). Conclusions The results of this study suggest that only a small percentage of free pregnancy apps available in Spanish should be recommended. The apps with the best MARS scores were those that addressed a higher number of topics and included a higher number of BCTs. Those with the best content and quality, and a higher number of BCTs included could be recommended by health professionals.

Objective Unintended pregnancies are a public health problem that represents 48% of global pregnancies. Despite the proliferation of smartphones there is limited data on the app's features on unintended pregnancy. The purpose of this research was to identify free apps available in Spanish, in the iOS Store and Google Play, which can be recommended to prevent unintended pregnancies in adolescents. Methods A systematic search to identify apps was performed in the iOS App Store and in Google Play aiming to replicate the way a patient might access an “unintended pregnancy prevention” app. Additionally, the quality, using the Mobile Application Rating Scale, and content were assessed. Results A total of 4614 apps were identified, of which 8 were retrieved for assessment (0.17%). The mean for objective and subject quality was 3.39 (standard deviation (SD) = 0.694) and 1.84 (SD = 0.626), respectively. A total of 16 thematic categories were identified. The mean of topics covered in the apps was 5.38 (SD = 2.925) being those related to contraception the more frequent. Conclusion The results of the present study suggest that only a small percentage of free pregnancy prevention apps in Spanish should be recommended. The contents of the apps retrieved meet the potential necessities of adolescents.

BACKGROUND Women consult information in mobile apps (apps) during pregnancy, and even obstetrics specialists highlight that pregnancy is the ideal moment for the use of apps as consultation sources. However, the high number of apps designed for pregnancy requires a careful assessment to determine their suitability before recommendation. OBJECTIVE To identify the apps available in Spanish that can be recommended based on their content, behavior change techniques (BCTs), and quality as a complementary tool during pregnancy. METHODS A systematic search on app stores to identify apps was performed in the Apple App Store and Google Play, and the subject term pregnancy. The apps meeting the following criteria were chosen: i. pregnancy-related content; ii. free; iii. available in Spanish. They were excluded if: i. the app was classified as game/entertainment, and therefore had no educational or health aim; iii. they did not target the population under study. The selected apps were downloaded, and their quality was assessed using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS), the BCTs included using the taxonomy Behavior Change Techniques Taxonomy v.1 and its content. RESULTS A total of 457 apps were identified, 25 of which were downloaded for assessment (5.6%). The median for objective and subjective quality was 2.94 (IR=2,71-3.46) and 1.75 (IR=1.25-2.25) respectively. Regarding content, the median of topics included in the apps was 23 (IR=16050-23.50) being weight gain, nutrition, fetal development and physical activity the most common. The median number of BCTs was 12 (RI=0.50-3.50). Statistically significant correlations were observed between objective quality and content (0.634), subjective quality and content (0.641), objective quality and BCTs (0.672), subjective quality and BCT (0.623), and BCTs and content (0.563). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that only a small percentage of free pregnancy apps available in Spanish should be recommended. The apps with the best quality score were those where a higher number of topics were addressed and included a larger quantity of BCT. While apps can potentially influence pregnant women’s behavior and contribute to pregnancy, a previous assessment of their content, quality, and behavior strategies is necessary in order to determine which apps could potentially be beneficial, and therefore, can be recommended.