Mobile applications for prematurity: a systematic review protocol

Abstract

BackgroundPremature birth is a global epidemic of significant public health concern. Counselling and education of pregnant women at risk of preterm birth or mothers with premature infants are essential to improve mother and infant health. Mobile applications are an increasingly popular tool among parents to receive health information and education. This study aims to evaluate the usages and the effects of a mobile application designed for premature births in order to improve health outcomes.MethodsThis review will include all studies of different designs which evaluated the use and impact of interventions provided via mobile applications on pregnant women at risk of preterm birth or mothers with premature infants in order to address all health outcomes. A combination of keywords and MeSH(Medical Subject Headings) terms is used in the search strategy. Literature databases including Scopus, PubMed, ISI Web of Science, ProQuest, CINAHL and Cochrane Library will be searched to May 2021. Furthermore, eligible studies will be chosen from the reference list of retrieved papers. Two researchers will independently review the retrieved citations to decide whether they meet the inclusion criteria. Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) V.2018 will be used to assess the quality of studies. Relevant data are collected in a data extraction form and analysed. Results are reported under the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.DiscussionThis systematic review will recognize and combine evidence about the usages and impact of mobile application interventions on the health improvement of pregnant women at risk of preterm birth or mothers with premature infants.

Outcome’s Classification in Mobile Applications Tailored to Parents of Premature Infants: A Systematic Review

“…According to the published protocol ( 27 ), initially, all full-text articles that evaluated the provided services to pregnant women or families with pre-term neonates through smart mobile phones and tablets were included. Then, six databases including PubMed (Medline), Scopus, Embase, Web of Science (ISI), ProQuest, and Cochrane Library databases were searched up to 31 May 2021.…”

Utilização de aplicativos móveis como estratégia de apoio a familiares no cuidado a recém-nascidos: protocolo scoping review

“…Health care for newborns has undergone significant transformations (2) as the technology evolved and characterizes a broader universe in care, also including parents in this context, through "mobile health" (m-health) (3,4) . The term mHealth is used to describe any healthcare practice assisted by mobile devices (5) , and it is pointed out as a quick and direct method of distributing information to groups of users (6) . These transformations are in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) included in the health agenda through "SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being", which intends that by 2030 there will be no infant and neonatal mortality from preventable causes (7) .…”