Education of Pregnant Women With a Prenatal Indication for Cesarean Section Through Periodic Short Message Service (SMS) and Interactive Voice Response System (IVR) in Uganda
Women with antenatally identified indications for planned pre-labor cesarean delivery in low-resource settings frequently present in labor before their scheduled delivery, resulting in emergency cesarean delivery and increased maternal and neonatal risk. Contributing factors include limited continuity of care between antenatal and intrapartum services and insufficient cesarean-specific birth preparedness counseling.
This prospective pilot study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a mobile health (mHealth) educational intervention using Short Message Service (SMS) and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) to support birth preparedness among pregnant women with antenatal indications for planned pre-labor cesarean delivery receiving care at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in Uganda. Participants received automated educational SMS and IVR messages in English or Runyankole at 14, 7, and 2 days before their scheduled cesarean delivery. Message content focused on timing of delivery, recognition of warning signs, logistical planning, and perioperative preparation.
The primary objectives were to evaluate the feasibility of delivering SMS and IVR messages to high-risk pregnant women and the acceptability of the intervention among participants. Findings from this pilot are intended to inform the development and future evaluation of larger mHealth interventions designed to improve continuity of care and preparedness for planned cesarean delivery in low-resource settings.
Descripción general del estudio
Estado
Estado
Condiciones
Condiciones
Intervención / Tratamiento
Intervención / Tratamiento
Descripción detallada
Planned pre-labor cesarean delivery is recommended for several antenatally identified obstetric conditions to reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity associated with labor. In many low-resource settings, however, women with known indications for planned cesarean delivery frequently present after labor has begun, resulting in emergency cesarean delivery. Strengthening continuity of care between antenatal care and delivery through standardized patient education may improve preparedness for scheduled delivery.
This prospective, single-arm pilot study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a mobile health (mHealth) educational intervention using Short Message Service (SMS) and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) among pregnant women with antenatal indications for planned pre-labor cesarean delivery receiving care at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital in southwestern Uganda.
Eligible participants were pregnant women between 28 and less than 39 weeks' gestation who had a clinician-determined indication for planned pre-labor cesarean delivery, intended to deliver at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, had access to a mobile phone within their household or community, and were able to provide informed consent in English or Runyankole. Women with signs of labor or obstetric complications requiring immediate delivery at enrollment were excluded.
The intervention consisted of automated educational SMS and IVR messages delivered through the EngageSpark platform in the participant's preferred language. Messages were scheduled approximately 14, 7, and 2 days before the planned cesarean delivery date. Educational content included:
Recommended timing of planned cesarean delivery Recognition of maternal danger signs requiring urgent evaluation Transportation and financial planning for delivery Family and caregiver preparation Perioperative expectations and preparation for cesarean delivery
Participants were scheduled to receive one IVR message at each time point. Two SMS messages were delivered at the 14-day and 7-day time points, and one SMS message at the 2-day time point. Participants could request follow-up telephone contact if additional clarification was needed. Message delivery and IVR engagement were monitored using automated platform data.
The primary objectives were to evaluate implementation outcomes related to feasibility and acceptability. Feasibility outcomes included successful message delivery, participant-reported receipt of messages, and engagement with IVR messages measured by call duration. Acceptability outcomes included participant preferences regarding message modality, timing and frequency of delivery, perceived usefulness, comprehension, satisfaction, and barriers to intervention use. Digital readiness and mobile phone access were also assessed to explore implementation across varying levels of digital access.
This pilot study was intended to generate implementation data to refine the intervention and inform the design of future effectiveness studies evaluating the impact of mHealth-supported birth preparedness on timely presentation for planned cesarean delivery and maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Tipo de estudio
Tipo de estudio
Inscripción (Actual)
Inscripción
Fase
Fase
- No aplica
Contactos y Ubicaciones
Ubicaciones de estudio
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Mbarara, Uganda
- Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital
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Criterios de participación
Criterio de elegibilidad
Criterio de elegibilidad
Edades elegibles para estudiar
- Niño
- Adulto
- Adulto Mayor
Acepta Voluntarios Saludables
Descripción
Inclusion Criteria:
- Pregnant women between ≥28 weeks and <39 weeks' gestation Receiving antenatal care at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH), Uganda Planning to deliver at MRRH Known gestational age
Antenatally identified by a clinician as having an indication for planned pre-labor cesarean delivery, including:
Two or more prior cesarean deliveries Prior classical cesarean delivery Prior myomectomy Prior uterine rupture Persistent breech presentation Access to a mobile phone (personal, household, or community) Able to provide informed consent Able to communicate in English or Runyankole
Exclusion Criteria:
- Signs or symptoms of labor at enrollment Obstetric complications requiring immediate evaluation or delivery No access to a mobile phone Unable to communicate in English or Runyankole
Plan de estudios
¿Cómo está diseñado el estudio?
Detalles de diseño
- Propósito principal: Cuidados de apoyo
- Asignación: N / A
- Modelo Intervencionista: Asignación de un solo grupo
- Enmascaramiento: Ninguno (etiqueta abierta)
Número de brazos
Armas e Intervenciones
Grupo de participantes/brazoGrupo de participantes/brazo |
Intervención / TratamientoIntervención / Tratamiento |
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Experimental: SMS and IVR Educational Intervention
Participants received the SMS and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) educational intervention in addition to routine antenatal care.
Automated educational messages were delivered in English or Runyankole approximately 14, 7, and 2 days before the participant's scheduled pre-labor cesarean delivery.
Message content provided reminders of planned cesarean dates and reinforced routine antenatal counseling and included information on timing of delivery, recognition of maternal danger signs, transportation and financial planning, family preparation, and perioperative expectations.
Participants continued to receive all standard clinical care throughout the stud
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Participants received an automated educational intervention delivered through Short Message Service (SMS) and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) in English or Runyankole.
Messages were scheduled approximately 14, 7, and 2 days before each participant's planned pre-labor cesarean delivery and reinforced routine antenatal counseling.
Educational content included the recommended timing of delivery, recognition of maternal danger signs requiring urgent evaluation, transportation and financial planning, family preparation, and perioperative expectations for cesarean delivery.
Participants received one IVR message at each scheduled time point, two SMS messages at the 14- and 7-day time points, and one SMS message at the 2-day time point.
Participants continued to receive routine antenatal care throughout the study
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¿Qué mide el estudio?
Medidas de resultado primarias
Medidas de resultado primarias
Medida de resultado |
Medida Descripción |
Periodo de tiempo |
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Successful delivery of SMS and IVR messages
Periodo de tiempo: 14, 7, and 2 days before scheduled cesarean delivery
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Proportion of scheduled SMS and IVR messages successfully delivered to participants, as confirmed by the messaging platform.
Delivery was assessed among participants who remained pregnant and eligible to receive messages at each scheduled time point.
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14, 7, and 2 days before scheduled cesarean delivery
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Participant acceptability of SMS and IVR messages
Periodo de tiempo: Post-delivery, before hospital discharge or 1 to 2 weeks after scheduled delivery date
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Proportion of participants reporting that the SMS and IVR messages were understandable, useful, satisfactory, and acceptable based on a post-delivery acceptability questionnaire
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Post-delivery, before hospital discharge or 1 to 2 weeks after scheduled delivery date
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Colaboradores e Investigadores
Patrocinador
Patrocinador
Colaboradores
Colaboradores
Investigadores
Investigadores
- Investigador principal: Adeline A Boatin, MD MPH, Massachusetts General Hospital
Fechas de registro del estudio
Fechas importantes del estudio
Inicio del estudio (Actual)
Inicio del estudio
Finalización primaria (Actual)
Finalización primaria
Finalización del estudio (Actual)
Finalización del estudio
Fechas de registro del estudio
Enviado por primera vez
Enviado por primera vez
Primero enviado que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad
Primero enviado que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad
Publicado por primera vez (Actual)
Publicado por primera vez
Actualizaciones de registros de estudio
Última actualización publicada (Actual)
Última actualización publicada
Última actualización enviada que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad
Última actualización enviada que cumplió con los criterios de control de calidad
Última verificación
Última verificación
Más información
Términos relacionados con este estudio
Palabras clave
Términos MeSH relevantes adicionales
Otros números de identificación del estudio
Otros números de identificación del estudio
- 2024P000837
Plan de datos de participantes individuales (IPD)
¿Planea compartir datos de participantes individuales (IPD)?
Descripción del plan IPD
Marco de tiempo para compartir IPD
Criterios de acceso compartido de IPD
Tipo de información de apoyo para compartir IPD
- PROTOCOLO DE ESTUDIO
- CIF
Información sobre medicamentos y dispositivos, documentos del estudio
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