Pregnancy e-health: a multicenter Italian cross-sectional study on internet use and decision-making among pregnant women

Abstract

Our study aimed to estimate the prevalence of pregnancy e-health seekers in a large Italian sample; to explore the factors influencing the choices of the childbearing women regarding their lifestyles after internet consultation; and finally to investigate potential differences between primiparous and multiparous women in internet use to find information about pregnancy. Methods A multicentre survey was carried out in seven Italian cities. Data were collected through a validated questionnaire administered in waiting rooms of outpatient departments by medical doctors. Respondents were questioned about their sociodemographic status, their use of the internet to seek pregnancy information and their consequent choices to modify their lifestyles. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results Almost all women were pregnancy e-health seekers (95%), including those who also received information from healthcare professionals. Indeed, the main reason for searching the web was the need of further knowledge on pregnancy-related topic, over and beyond other key advantages of the net such as anonymity, simplicity and rapidity. A higher likelihood of changing lifestyle after pregnancy e-health was observed among the women who searched institutional websites; declared more confidence in the information retrieved; participated into pregnancy-centred forum online; and were residents in Italy. Conclusions To reduce the likelihood for women of both finding erroneous information or misinterpreting correct ones, healthcare professionals should commit to fill the information gap and guide pregnant women in the online searches. Also, future studies are strongly needed to analyse the quality and accuracy of health information found on the web

Dietary habits and supplementation practices of young women during pregnancy: an online cross-sectional survey of young mothers and health care professionals

“…A lack of using online technologies either as tools to facilitate discussion or for helping young women to access further support was evident in the data collected from health care professionals. Young women have been found to routinely access online information [23] and support [24] during pregnancy; however research has suggested that health care professionals lack confidence in using these technologies effectively [25]. This suggests that further investigation to develop and evaluate dietary and lifestyle interventions delivered through mobile technology and interactive websites as an adjunct to care provided by health care professionals may be advantageous.…”

Risks and threats of social media websites: Twitter and the pro-Ana movement

“…Indeed, an online service can provide psychological support and effectively address people to recovery, as Internet often represents the first step towards a help-seeking even offline. Since Internet is increasingly used as a source of health information [38][39][40], it is particularly important to improve the surveillance about the spreading of health misinformation online also in social media. Moreover, as the majority of the users were students, it can be useful to implement an educational program about nutrition in schools, focusing also on the correct use of social media and their potential harmful effects.…”

PROYECTO MAMÁFELIZ: Estudio sobre la Salud Mental prenatal a través de Internet

“…En este sentido los estudios afirman que las propias mujeres prefieren ser orientadas por los profesionales de la salud en la elección y los contenidos de la información online (Hearn et al, 2014;Lagan et al, 2010;Romano, 2007). Por lo tanto, los profesionales sanitarios pueden desempeñar un papel muy importante a la hora de garantizar la protección de las usuarias, orientado las búsquedas de información online y recomendando los programas online de alta calidad que afiancen su bienestar (Bert et al, 2013;Larsson, 2009;O'Higgins et al, 2014).…”

“…La e-Salud y m-Salud se están convirtiendo en la nueva manera de promover la salud mediante el uso de las TIC's en todo el mundo (Bert et al, 2013;Watterson, Walsh y Madeka, 2015). La rápida expansión del acceso a Internet y las tecnologías móviles dan la oportunidad de mejorar el bienestar mediante la promoción de las conductas saludable y la reducción de los comportamientos de riesgo haciendo posible la prevención y la cultura de búsqueda de atención, así como la aplicación de tratamientos basado en la evidencia.…”

“…Sería muy favorable contar con profesionales entrenados y con la suficiente formación, que formaran parte integral del sistema, de manera que facilitaran la promoción de las e-Salud y las m-Salud, protegiendo a las mujeres de los posibles riesgos de su uso y orientándolas en sus búsquedas (Bert et al, 2013;Romano de 2007;Tripp et al, 2014).…”