JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant public health problem affecting approximately 13% of women. There is strong evidence supporting Internet-based intervention for PPD. The prevalence of PPD can be reduced by early screening the high-risk population of PPD through Internet intervention. To date, however, Web-based interventions have not been used and evaluated specifically for the treatment of PPD in China.

Objective:

We describe the formative work that contributed to the development of our Internet-based intervention (“Mommy go”) for helping to provide maternal information and emotional support to reduce the risk of PPD, and the design and key components of the program.

Methods:

The study is based on the method of constructing a health intervention strategy proposed by the multiphase optimization strategy (MOST). Firstly, to select the important components for intervention based on systematic review. Secondly, conducting maternal individualized interviews to understand maternal awareness of PPD, health education needs, and suggestions on “Mommy go”. Thirdly, an Internet intervention strategy for PPD is formed. Then, cooperate with Internet technicians to construct the prototype of “Mommy go”. Finally, using usability test to understand the maternal feedback on the use of “Mommy go” and making appropriate adjustments to the functionality and content of “Mommy go”.

Conclusions:

An overview of the eventual design, architecture, and key program ingredients of the“Mommy go” provides pregnancy and postnatal maternal and child health care knowledge for pregnant women and systematically assess the health of women during pregnancy and childbirth (including monitoring, intervention, and feedback).