title: Health behavior change in pregnant women: a two-phase study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Maternal health behaviors during pregnancy/infancy can have a significant impact on maternal and child health. Many women engage in health risk behaviors during pregnancy. Multiple health behavior change (MHBC) interventions provide support to change health behaviors, but further information is needed on potential targets for such an intervention, as well as on the feasibility of technology use and e-health with this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two studies were completed as part of this project. First, a survey to examine views regarding health behaviors, desires to change health behaviors, and use of technology was completed by 68 pregnant women presenting for routine care. Based on survey findings, a brief MHBC e-health educational intervention related to breastfeeding, healthy nutrition/lifestyle, and stress management, using iPad(®) (Apple, Cupertino, CA) and text-messaging media, was then developed and piloted in the home with five pregnant women.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the survey, the majority of participants reported interest in receiving help to improve health behaviors, including losing weight or eating a healthier diet, breastfeeding, smoking cessation, and help with depression. The majority of women reported access to a computer with Internet, a phone, and frequent use of text messaging. In the second phase, results suggest that the home-based intervention was feasible and that the technology was convenient and user-friendly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pregnant women are interested in improving health behaviors and found a brief technology-based e-health intervention feasible, convenient, and user-friendly. In-home technology appears to be a feasible and convenient approach to addressing the multiple health behavior change needs of pregnant women.
authors.affiliation: 1 Center for Children's Healthy Lifestyles & Nutrition , Kansas City, Missouri.
authors.forename: Ann M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Karen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Wambach
authors.forename: Eve Lynn
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Cathleen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Odar
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lillis
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McKinley
authors.forename: Mia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gallagher
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007615:Kansas; D011247:Pregnancy; D012107:Research Design; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013672:Technology; D060145:Text Messaging; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: behavioral health; e-health; m-health; telehealth