Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39680428›Full record

ArticleJournal of medical Internet research2024

Perceived Experiences and Needs of Digital Resources Among Postpartum Women in the United Arab Emirates: Qualitative Focus Group Study.

Nivine Hanach, Roba Saqan, Hadia Radwan, Wegdan Baniissa, Nanne de Vries

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of medical Internet research, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Nivine HanachFaculty of Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0001-7802-9012
Roba SaqanHealth Promotion Group, Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.ORCID 0009-0005-3165-4001
Hadia RadwanDepartment of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.ORCID 0000-0002-3930-2554
Wegdan BaniissaDepartment of Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.ORCID 0000-0001-8551-9052
Nanne de VriesFaculty of Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-4348-707X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe postpartum period is a critical phase in a woman's life, marked by various physical, psychological, and social challenges. In light of the rapid proliferation and uptake of digital technologies, particularly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), mothers increasingly seek informational and emotional support from digital resources. No previous study has thoroughly explored the usage of various digital resources beyond telehealth services in the UAE. This literature gap is particularly relevant for the postpartum period, which remains largely understudied in the UAE.

objectiveThis study aims to delve into the digital experiences of postpartum women in the UAE by exploring the types of resources they navigate and the purposes those resources serve. In addition, it seeks to identify their perspectives and needs regarding digital resources that support their postpartum journey.

methodsFour focus groups were conducted synchronously on the web, involving a total of 27 multicultural mothers (mean age 32.47, SD 4.56 years), between 2 and 12 months post partum and living in the UAE. Descriptive interpretive thematic analysis was used to analyze the data.

resultsSixteen out of 27 women exhibited severe depressive symptoms at the time of the discussions (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score of >12). Two main themes were generated from the analysis: (1) Mothers' Experiences with Digital Resources: Participants valued digital resources for providing immediate information, convenience, and support. They primarily used these resources to seek information on infant health, parenting advice, and emotional support through web-based communities. However, the abundance of conflicting information and the pressure to conform to health recommendations often created stress and anxiety. (2) The Perceived Need for Digital Resources: Despite their extensive use of digital resources, mothers articulated the need for a reliable UAE government digital platform tailored specifically to postpartum care, offering trusted information on infant health and postpartum mental well-being. They also emphasized the need for tailored postpartum telemedicine services and moderated web-based discussion forums to foster peer support among mothers.

conclusionsThis study reveals the multifaceted role of digital resources in supporting mothers during the postpartum period, highlighting unmet needs that present opportunities for advancing postpartum care in the UAE. It demonstrates the importance of developing reliable digital solutions for postpartum women, especially regarding mental health and to enhance access to care through tailored telemedicine services. Collaborative efforts are required to ensure the implementation of user-centered digital platforms. Future research should focus on the diverse needs of postpartum women, including cultural sensitivity, the feasibility of telemedicine services, and the integration of partner support in digital interventions to improve maternal health outcomes.

Indexed as

Focus GroupsPostpartum PeriodQualitative ResearchAdultFemaleHumansInternetMothersSocial SupportTelemedicineUnited Arab Emiratesdigital healthemotional supportfocus grouphealth informationmaternal healthpostpartum depressionpostpartum mental healthpostpartum womensocial supporttelemedicine

Identifiers

PMID39680428
PMCPMC11694600

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.