Arlina Dewi, Anggit Wirasto, Trisna Setya Dewi

Pregnant Women's Experiences Using a Mobile Application for Iron Supplementation Adherence: A Phenomenological Approach

Introduction

Pregnant women's experiences using a mobile application for iron supplementation adherence: a phenomenological approach. Explore pregnant women's experiences using a mobile app for iron supplementation adherence. Discover compliance factors, motivation, app benefits & weaknesses for better health monitoring.

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia is a significant global public health concern that disproportionately affects young children and pregnant women. One effective method for monitoring medication in pregnant women is through mobile applications. This study aims to investigatepregnant women’s experience with iron supplementation adherence management using amobile application. A qualitative study with a phenomenology approach was conductedamong 20 pregnant women and midwives. The qualitative method was used to explore participants’ experience using a maternal application called “MySmart Bumil” to improvepregnant women’s adherence to iron supplements. The study identified four themes: the factors of non-compliance, the motivation for taking iron supplements, and the benefits andthe weaknesses of using the application. Mobile app reminders can help pregnant womencheck medication frequency, remind them to take iron tablets, and build more consistentmedication habits. However, some pregnant women found that the reminder was ineffective. Pregnant women thought that the notifications should have alarms to be more effective. The mobile application has the potential to assist health providers in effectively monitoring the health state of pregnancy and improving adherence to iron supplementation

Review

This study tackles a highly pertinent global public health issue: iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women, and investigates the role of mobile applications in improving iron supplementation adherence. The chosen qualitative, phenomenological approach is commendable, as it aims to delve into the lived experiences of pregnant women using the "MySmart Bumil" application. The abstract clearly outlines the study's objective and identifies four significant themes, offering valuable preliminary insights into the factors influencing adherence, including both motivators and perceived weaknesses of the digital intervention. This exploration into user experience is crucial for developing effective mHealth strategies in maternal health. However, several aspects of the abstract raise methodological questions that warrant further clarification. While purporting a "phenomenology approach," the abstract mentions participants comprising "20 pregnant women and midwives." A core tenet of phenomenology is to understand the lived experience directly from those experiencing the phenomenon. The inclusion of midwives, without further explanation of their specific role in contributing to *pregnant women's* lived experience, introduces ambiguity and potentially dilutes the phenomenological focus. Additionally, while the identified themes (factors of non-compliance, motivation, benefits, weaknesses) are important, their descriptive nature might suggest a more general qualitative study rather than a deep, interpretative phenomenological inquiry, requiring more detail on the analytical approach in the full paper. The abstract also notes conflicting user experiences regarding the app's reminders (helpful versus ineffective without alarms), a point that demands more nuanced exploration. Despite these methodological points requiring deeper exposition in the full manuscript, this study makes a valuable contribution by shedding light on the practical implementation and user perceptions of mHealth interventions for iron supplementation. The findings regarding the need for more robust reminder systems, such as alarms, are critical for developers designing future applications. This work provides an important foundation for understanding user-centric design in mHealth for maternal health, offering practical implications for both technology developers and healthcare providers seeking to enhance adherence. Further research building on these insights could focus on tailored app functionalities and a more focused phenomenological exploration of the pregnant women's unique experiences.

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