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

Lee, Ju Yeon; Kim, Hye Young

doi:2017.23.3.210

Korean J Women Health Nurs > Volume 23(3); 2017 > Article

Original Article

Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing 2017;23(3):210-220.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2017.23.3.210 Published online September 27, 2017.

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

Ju Yeon Lee, Hye Young Kim

¹Department of Nursing, Munkyung College, Mungyeong · Graduate School of Keimyung University, Daegu, Korea.
²College of Nursing, Keimyung University, Daegu, Korea. hye11533@kmu.ac.kr

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.

Key Words: Postpartum period; Self care; Infant care; Postpartum depression; Mobile applications