Journal List > Korean J Women Health Nurs > v.23(3) > 1089573

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

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.

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Figure 1.
Development process of mobile application for postpartum care.
kjwhn-23-210f1.tif
Figure 2.
Example of mobile application screen.
kjwhn-23-210f2.tif
Table 1.
Demographic and Obstetric Characteristics of Postpartum Women between Two Groups (N=52)
Characteristics Categories Exp. (n=26) Cont. (n=26) x2 or t p
n (%) or M±SD n (%) or M±SD
Maternal age (year) 25~29 10 (38.5) 12 (46.2) -1.86 .068
  30~34 16 (61.5) 14 (53.8)    
Maternal education High school 4 (15.4) 1 (3.8) 0.62 .536
  University 19 (73.1) 23 (88.5)    
  Graduate school 3 (11.5) 2 (7.7)    
Maternal religion Yes 8 (30.8) 8 (30.8) 0.00 1.000
  No 18 (69.2) 18 (69.2)    
Maternal occupation Yes 11 (42.3) 11 (42.3) 0.00 1.000
  No 15 (57.7) 15 (57.7)    
Living together Husband 25 (96.2) 24 (92.3) 0.34 .738
  Parents of husband d - 1 (3.8)    
  Parents of woman 1 (3.8) 1 (3.8)    
Prenatal education received Yes 19 (73.1) 16 (61.5) 0.88 .385
  No 7 (26.9) 10 (38.5)    
Postnatal education received Yes 10 (38.5) 8 (30.8) 0.57 .569
  No 16 (61.5) 18 (69.2)    
Type of delivery Vaginal birth 11 (42.3) 16 (61.5) -1.39 .172
  Cesarean birth 15 (57.7) 10 (38.5)    
Method of pregnancy Spontaneous 23 (88.5) 25 (96.2) -1.03 .307
  Artificial 3 (11.5) 1 (3.8)    
Baby gender Male 15 (57.7) 13 (50.0) 0.55 .587
  Female 11 (42.3) 13 (50.0)    
Birth weight (kg)   3.28±0.50 3.31±0.39 0.24 .809
Gestational age (week)   39.47±1.23 39.00±57.00 0.31 .760

Fisher's exact test; Exp.=experimental group; Cont.=control group.

Table 2.
Differences in Study Variables at Pretest between Two Groups (N=52)
Variables Exp. (n=26) Cont. (n=26) t p
M±SD M±SD
Postnatal self care knowledge 10.38±3.28 11.50±2.55 1.37 .177
Postnatal self care confidence 17.62±1.63 17.74±2.68 1.88 .852
Infant care knowledge 10.88±2.96 12.23±3.42 1.52 .135
Infant care confidence 36.77±4.43 37.38±3.66 0.54 .587

Exp.=experimental group; Cont.=control group.

Table 3.
Differences in Postpartum Self Care Knowledge and Confidence, Infant Care Knowledge and Confidence, and Postpartum Depression between Two Groups (N=52)
Variables Group Before After t(p) Difference t(p)
M±SD M±SD M±SD
Postnatal self care Exp. (n=26) 10.38±3.28 13.27±1.76 -2.24(.030) -2.88 -8.09 (<.001)
knowledge Cont. (n=26) 11.50±2.55 12.00±2.30   -0.50 -1.08 (.292)
Postnatal self care Exp. (n=26) 17.62±1.63 22.15±1.62 -2.34(.023) -4.54 -15.98 (<.001)
confidence Cont. (n=26) 17.74±2.68 20.70±2.74   -2.96 -6.31 (<.001)
Infant care Exp. (n=26) 10.88±2.96 16.23±1.07 -3.41(.001) -5.35 -9.45 (<.001)
knowledge Cont. (n=26) 12.23±3.42 15.08±1.35   -2.85 -5.02 (<.001)
Infant care Exp. (n=26) 36.77±4.43 44.77±1.34 -3.04(.004) -8.00 -8.45 (<.001)
confidence Cont. (n=26) 37.38±3.66 42.19±4.11   -4.81 -5.99 (<.001)
Postpartum Exp. (n=26)   8.12±3.10 2.38(.021)    
depression Cont. (n=26)   10.80±4.74      

Exp.=experimental group; Cont.=control group.

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