Title : Digital transformation of maternal risk management: Insights and achievements
Abstract:
Objective: To explore the feasibility of applying a digital tool for early detection of pregnancy risks among local pregnant women in less - developed areas of China.
Methods: In 2022, Project HOPE launched a digital management program for maternal risk assessment and intervention in Anhui Province, China. The program developed a digital management platform for pregnancy risk assessment and intervention used by pregnant women and health providers, which is based on H5 technology. This allows pregnant women to conduct regular self-assessment tests at home for immediate alerts and connection with their health providers, and to receive professional risk assessment results based on national pregnancy risk screening and assessment strategy at each antenatal care visit. The platform also pushes out maternal and newborn health education messages, warning signs, and recommendations.
Results: As of December 29, 2024, the digital platform is used in eight hospitals in both mountainous and plain geographical regions with poor transportation services in Anhui Province. A total of 17,541 pregnant women have registered on the platform. Among them, 11,612 pregnant women used the digital tool for at least one self-test. 3,418 of them received positive results, indicating pregnancy risks. 16,994 pregnant women received pregnancy risk assessments from their doctor. Specifically, 6,394 were marked green (normal), 8,008 were marked yellow (mild risk), 2,584 were marked orange (moderate risk), 8 were marked red (high risk), and 311 were marked purple (indicating some type of infectious disease).
Conclusion: The digital platform can help pregnant women detect pregnancy risks through self-test at home. It is also a useful tool for health providers to track their patients’ pregnancy risks and keep in close contact with them.
