O51 - Reviewing the evidence: preconception behaviour change through mobile phone apps

Abstract

Mobile phone applications offer the potential of extensive reach for public health interventions in the preconception period. Women are often motivated to positively change their behaviour in preparation for pregnancy to enhance health and wellbeing. Positive health behaviour changes can optimise perinatal outcomes of both mother and baby and future generations. To synthesize evidence of the effectiveness of mobile phone applications in promoting positive behaviour changes for women of reproductive age that may improve future outcomes for mothers and babies. Five databases were searched in February 2021 for studies exploring the use of mobile phone applications as an intervention pre-pregnancy or post-pregnancy to promote positive behaviour change. Risk of bias and data extraction was conducted by two independent reviewers. Data was pooled using a random-effects model and the GRADE system was used to assess the certainty of the evidence. Of 2,973 publications identified, seven studies were included. Four studies included postpartum participants and three included women considered to be in the preconception period. Five studies focused on behaviours for weight reduction, assessing outcomes of reduction in adiposity and weight. Nutrition and dietary outcomes were assessed in two studies with collected data including kilojoule and caloric and macronutrient intake. Two studies used dietary risk scores to assess this outcome. Blood pressure was measured in four studies and a range of biochemistry tests and markers associated with management of disease symptoms were included. Meta-analysis showed that mobile phone applications were favourable when compared against standard care however the results were not statistically significant. This systematic review suggests there is potential for mobile phone applications to influence behaviour in the preconception period. Most information is for weight reduction and dietary changes in the general population. Future research must address more preconception issues in both general and high-risk populations.