Maternal Health Effects of Internet-Based Education Interventions during the Postpartum Period: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the maternal health effects of internet-based education interventions on parturients during the postpartum period through a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Methods: An electronic literature search of the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, EMBASE, Eric, PsycINFO, PubMed, RISS, and KISS databases was performed, using the combination of keywords such as ‘parenthood education’, ‘*natal education’, ‘*birth intervention’, ‘internet-based intervention’, ‘randomized controlled trial’. The inclusion criteria were peerreviewed papers in English regarding randomized controlled trials of internet-based postnatal education interventions. Educational interventions were delivered through any web, mobile, eHealth, mHealth, virtual reality, short message service, or social networking service platform. Quality appraisal was performed using the Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) for randomized controlled trials. Nine articles were yielded, and the intervention effects were analyzed. Results: Internetbased education interventions during the postpartum period affect maternal self-efficacy, postpartum depression, and successive breastfeeding; however, they do not affect maternal satisfaction and parenting confidence. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that internet-based education interventions affect maternal health status in terms of psychological, emotional, and physical wellness. Therefore, maternal health care professionals can utilize remote education using the internet or mobile-based interventions during the postpartum period.