Systematic Review of Digital Maternal Health Education Interventions in Low-Infrastructure Environments
Abstract
Digital maternal health education interventions have gained increasing attention as scalable solutions to address the persistent disparities in maternal and child health outcomes, particularly in low-infrastructure environments. This systematic review synthesizes current evidence on the design, implementation, and effectiveness of digital health education programs targeting maternal health in resource-limited settings. The review explores various digital modalities, including mobile health (mHealth), SMS-based communication, interactive voice response (IVR), and mobile applications, and evaluates their role in improving maternal knowledge, antenatal care (ANC) attendance, skilled birth attendance, and postnatal care adherence. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across five electronic databases—PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, and CINAHL—covering studies published between 2010 and 2021. Inclusion criteria encompassed peer-reviewed articles that assessed digital maternal health education interventions implemented in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with clearly defined outcomes related to maternal health behaviors and service uptake. A total of 43 studies met the inclusion criteria, and quality appraisal was performed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Findings reveal that mobile phone-based interventions were the most commonly used, with SMS and voice calls serving as effective channels for delivering timely maternal health information. Interventions demonstrated improvements in ANC attendance rates, increased health literacy, and enhanced engagement with skilled healthcare providers. However, challenges such as low digital literacy, gendered access to mobile technology, intermittent network coverage, and language barriers were recurrent themes impacting effectiveness and scalability. Notably, community health workers often played a critical role in facilitating digital interventions, bridging technological gaps and ensuring cultural appropriateness. The review underscores the potential of digital maternal health education interventions to transform maternal health outcomes in underserved settings. However, it emphasizes the need for context-sensitive designs, inclusive user-centered approaches, and sustainable implementation strategies that account for infrastructural, socio-cultural, and technological barriers. Future research should explore integrative frameworks that combine digital tools with community-based support systems and assess long-term impacts on maternal and neonatal health.
How to Cite This Article
Ashiata Yetunde Mustapha, Ernest Chinonso Chianumba, Adelaide Yeboah Forkuo, Damilola Osamika, Leesi Saturday Komi (2021). Systematic Review of Digital Maternal Health Education Interventions in Low-Infrastructure Environments . International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation (IJMRGE), 2(1), 909-918. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54660/.IJMRGE.2021.2.1.909-918