Korean J Women Health Nurs.  2017 Sep;23(3):210-220. 10.4069/kjwhn.2017.23.3.210.

Development and Validation of a Postpartum Care Mobile Application for First-time Mothers

• Lee JY
• Kim HY

• KMID: 2424156
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2017.23.3.210

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aims of the study were to develop mobile application for postpartum care of first-time mothers and to validate it's effect.
METHODS
Using a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design, 52 first-time mothers were recruited (26 each in experimental and control) and the experimental group used the mobile application for 6 weeks after delivery. Postpartum self-care knowledge and confidence, infant care knowledge and confidence, and postpartum depressive mood (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) were measured before discharge from the hospital and 6 weeks later.
RESULTS
Women who have used the postpartum care mobile application reported higher levels of postpartum self-care knowledge (p=.030) and confidence (p=.023) infant care knowledge (p=.001) and confidence (p=.004), while scores of postpartum depression (p=.021) were lower than those in the control group.
CONCLUSION
The postpartum-care mobile application developed in this research may be effective in reinforcing knowledge and confidence for postpartum self-care and infant care and in reducing postpartum depressive mood.

Keyword

Postpartum period; Self care; Infant care; Postpartum depression; Mobile applications

MeSH Terms

Depression, Postpartum
Female
Humans
Infant
Infant Care
Mobile Applications*
Mothers*
Postnatal Care*
Postpartum Period*
Self Care