Cell Phones: Mobile Devices May Help Provide Health Information On Low-Income Pregnant Women

New findings published in the Journal of Internet Medicine Research reveal that the use of cellphones could help provide information that may be used to improve the health of those at risk for diabetes and/or other health issues during their childbearing years.

For the study, researchers surveyed a diverse group of about 250 young, low-income, inner-city pregnant or postpartum women who attended one of four obstetric or pediatric clinics at Johns Hopkins Medicine's two Baltimore hospitals: Johns Hopkins Hospital and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. Forty percent of the participants were African-American, 28 percent were Latina and 23 percent were white, with fewer than 10 percent coming from other racial or ethnic groups. 

Researchers noted how the survey participants reflected increased risks seen in their neighborhood and reproductive years. For instance, 7 percent of the women had adult diabetes, 11 percent had gestational diabetes, 11 percent had high blood pressure during pregnancy and 56 percent were obese during pregnancy, according to a news release. 

While texting was high across the board--at just about 85 percent of participants in all groups--it was slightly lower among African-Americans. However, smartphone use was about one-third more common for African-American women than Latinas.

Researchers also found that for Latinas, Internet use by any means to find health information was the lowest of all groups at about 51 percent, which they believe may be explained by limited English proficiency. African-Americans were at about 79 percent while whites came in at 87 percent.

As the study authors continue with further research, their next steps include designing and testing personalized cellphone and Internet-based approaches for women proficient in English and Spanish-based alternate communication routes.

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