Pattern of Internet Use for Pregnancy-Related Information and Its Predictors Among Women Visiting Primary Healthcare in Qatar: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background Internet usage has been steadily increasing and the available online information for pregnant ‎women today is immense.‎ Objective This study aimed to investigate the pattern of internet use for pregnancy-related information and its ‎predictors among pregnant women visiting primary healthcare centers in Qatar‎. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at the antenatal clinics of six primary healthcare centers in Qatar between June and December 2019. Pregnant women were recruited through a systematic random sampling technique. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and analytic statistics were used when appropriate. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was constructed to identify the predictors of internet use for pregnancy-related information. Results The study included 403 pregnant women. Most of them were in the 26–35 years age category, in the second trimester (55.5%), and had 1–2 children at home (51.5%). The internet was the most common source (81.1%) of pregnancy-related information. The access to online information was mainly through websites (67.3%), mobile applications (48.3%), and social media platforms (39.7%). The most frequently searched topics online were fetal development (74.3%), diet during pregnancy (53.6%), and management of health ‎problems (39.6%).‎ The multivariable regression model identified the age group 26–35 years (AOR: 4.87; 95% CI: 2.10, 11.27), Arabs (AOR: 4.10; 95% CI: 2.02, 8.32), tertiary education (AOR: 5.22; 95% CI: 1.77, 15.33), having 1–2 children (AOR: 3.41; 95% CI: 1.45, 8.01), and being employed or a housewife as independent predictors of internet use for pregnancy-related information. Conclusion The internet was a commonly used source of health information among pregnant women in Qatar. Internet use was significantly associated with the age group of 26–35 years, Arabs, higher level of education, being employed or a housewife, and having up to two children.

Investigating pregnant women’s health information needs during pregnancy on internet platforms

“…With the advancement of Internet technology, pregnant women's behavior of seeking online health information has become a universal trend worldwide because of insufficient information received from healthcare providers and the natural advantage of the Internet to ask questions anonymously (Al-Dahshan et al, 2021). As one of the largest maternal and child health websites in China, "Mama.cn" has integrated websites, APPS, new media, micro-network celebrities, and other media resources, covering hundreds of millions of pan-maternal and infant groups.…”