Effectiveness of a Smartphone App (PRIMI) to Promote Healthy Diet and Physical Activity After Pregnancy in Migrant Women

• BACKGROUND

International migrants represent a growing population in Sweden and many European countries. Currently, approximately 25% of women of childbearing age in Sweden have migrated (hereafter referred to as "migrant women"). Evidence suggests that migrant women face a higher risk of adverse health outcomes during and after pregnancy. Thus, improving migrant health, including reproductive health, is a public health priority. The period after pregnancy presents a critical opportunity to promote healthy dietary habits, physical activity, and body weight. However, there is a lack of lifestyle interventions after pregnancy tailored specifically for migrant women. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions are potentially effective in this regard, given that mobile phones are widely accessible across different socioeconomic groups. Previous research has demonstrated the potential of mHealth interventions to improve diet and physical activity. However, no previous study has evaluated the effectiveness of an mHealth intervention on health behaviors and body weight among migrant women after pregnancy.

The PRIMI project (Promoting Reproductive Health In MIgrant Women) aims to address this gap by assessing the effectiveness of a smartphone app to support healthy behaviors after pregnancy in migrant women. The PRIMI trial will evaluate the effectiveness of a smartphone app (PRIMI app) on: i) Diet quality (primary outcome) ii) Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (primary outcome) iii) Health literacy (secondary outcome) iv) Body mass index (BMI) (secondary outcome) v) Self-efficacy (secondary outcome) vi) Self-rated health (secondary outcome)

• METHODS

2.1 Study Design

The PRIMI trial is a 6-month, two-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a 1:1 allocation ratio. The intervention group will receive standard postpartum care plus access to the PRIMI app for six months. The control group will receive standard postpartum care and will gain access to the PRIMI app after the six-month follow-up (wait-list control design). The study follows the SPIRIT 2013 guidelines and will be reported according to the CONSORT-EHEALTH checklist.

2.2 Eligibility and Recruitment

Participants will be recruited through maternal and child healthcare services across Sweden. If recruitment is slow, additional strategies, such as outreach through non-governmental organizations, community associations, and social media, will be considered.

2.3 Randomization and Blinding

Participants will be randomly assigned to the intervention or control group using a 1:1 allocation ratio. Allocation will be concealed.

2.4 The PRIMI app

The PRIMI app consists of a 6-month structured program with weekly themes, goal-setting features, self-monitoring tools, and an extensive library of recipes, exercise videos, and behavior change support. The intervention is based on social cognitive theory and incorporates behavior change techniques such as shaping knowledge, feedback and monitoring, and goal setting. The app provides culturally adapted dietary and physical activity guidelines based on current recommendations and includes multimedia elements (e.g., images, audio, and video) for accessibility.

Inclusion criteria

• First-generation migrant women
• Given birth ≤ 6 months ago
• Age ≥ 18 years
• Able to receive health-related information in Arabic, Somali, English, or Swedish

Exclusion criteria

• Swedish-born women
• Age < 18 years
• Given birth > 6 months ago