Effect of a Social Media-based Health Education Program on Postnatal Care (PNC) Knowledge Among Pregnant Women Using Smartphones in Dhulikhel Hospital

The study is a two-arm open-label randomized controlled trial conducted among literate pregnant visiting Dhulikhel hospital for ANC check-up. A computer-based program allocated 229 pregnant women owning smartphone with internet connectivity in a 1:1 ratio to either intervention (n=109) or usual care (n=120). The investigators assessed PNC knowledge in the participants by interviewing in-person or via phone; questionnaire was adopted from the previous study conducted to determine the knowledge of postnatal care among postpartum mothers in Asmara; that contained 20 knowledge questions with a maximum possible score of 61. The questionnaire was translated and pretested in Nepali, with the Cronbach alpa of 0.83. The intervention group received a 16 minutes video developed by using Health belief model via social media and the participants were reminded to view the video every week via telephone for a month. Control group received usual care. The primary outcome of the study was PNC knowledge score. The investigators utilized intent-to-treat analysis and measured the effect of the intervention on PNC knowledge score using linear regression analysis.

Inclusion criteria

• literate pregnant women
• owned a smartphone
• used social media (either What's App, Viber, or Facebook)
• had internet connectivity (WIFI or mobile data)

Exclusion criteria

• learning difficulties(dementia) or vision impairment