Previously submitted to: JMIR mHealth and uHealth (no longer under consideration since Apr 02, 2021)
Date Submitted: Nov 24, 2019
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
How is personalisation used in pregnancy apps: A systematic review
ABSTRACT
Background:
Digital support is a preferred source of information for pregnant women with personalisation being a key selling benefit for pregnancy apps. Pregnancy apps are the most popular type of health app (n= 2,900).
Objective:
To describe the variety and use of personalisation in pregnancy apps.
Methods:
A systematic search of databases Medline, Embase and PsychINFO for peer reviewed articles, examining personalisation, customisation or tailoring of pregnancy apps.
Results:
Six studies met inclusion criteria (one interview study, one online survey, two app reviews and two studies using critical discourse analysis). Personalisation is largely determined by the functionality of the app. Foetal monitoring apps, supportive information apps and pregnancy entertainment apps utilise personalisation in different ways. Personalisation delivers relevant information and can result in women to become role models (e.g. for peers or family regarding healthier lifestyle); strengthening the relationship women have with the app and the unborn baby; and expressing one’s identity.
Conclusions:
There is a gap in using personalised digital tools for pregnancy which are reliable and which use all of the dimensions of personalisation described in this review. Given the recommendation of the national guidelines, development of digital tools that provide relevant information is key. Future research should focus on personalising apps to reach women in different geographical locations and those at risk of pregnancy-related mental health problems.
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