Evaluating the Role of Digital Platforms in Disseminating Pregnancy-related Health Information: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Abstract Background The Internet is a widely utilized platform for accessing health-related information and pregnant women are no different in this regard. The aim of the present study was to review and describe the use of the internet as a source of information during pregnancy.Methods This systematic review was conducted by searching electronic databases such as PubMed until May 2023. The author also conducted general Internet searches using combinations of the search terms in the Google search engine. The search terms were as follows: pregnancy, “pregnancy period”, “pregnant women”, internet, network, information, “information sources”, “information resources”, “information tools”, and “information providers”. The search was limited to English language papers without limitations regarding publishing dates. Quantitative studies were sought, that reported original research and described Internet use by pregnant women and women within one year postpartum.Results Fifteen articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. This systematic review found that women used the Internet as a source of information during pregnancy. The most often mentioned topics of interest were fetal development, stages of delivery and nutrition. Women generally find health information on the internet as reliable and useful. Some papers included in this review found that higher education is associated with increased Internet use and the pregnant women with a university degree used the Internet more than women with less than a high school education, and that nulliparous women were more likely to seek information than multiparous women.Conclusions Most of the pregnant women did not discuss the information they have retrieved from the Internet with their health providers. Consequently, healthcare providers should be prepared to support women in effectively navigating online resources, as well as interpreting and integrating the retrieved knowledge.