Effectiveness Of Mhealth Intervention In Improving Antenatal And Postnatal Care Outcomes: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Recent Evidence

Publication Details

Publication Date

10/09/2026

Volume / Issue

Vol 1, Issue 4 (2026)

Article No.

046

Journal

British Journal of Contemporary Research

DOI

https://doi.org/10.67693/BJCR-48JL8NFQ

Received

28 Aug 2026

Views

9

Downloads

1

Abstract

Background: Maternal morbidity and mortality remain major public health challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access to quality antenatal and postnatal care services is often limited. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions have emerged as a promising strategy for improving maternal and child health outcomes through enhanced communication, reminders, and health education. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of mHealth interventions in improving antenatal care attendance, facility delivery, exclusive breastfeeding duration, and childhood vaccination compliance compared with standard care among pregnant and postpartum women. Methods: The review followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251131235). Electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Embase were searched for English-language randomized controlled trials and cluster randomized controlled trials published between 2020 and 2025. Eligible studies examined mHealth interventions such as SMS reminders, mobile applications, online messaging platforms, and electronic job aids. Methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tool. Meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model, with effect sizes expressed as risk ratios (RRs). Results: A total of 1,408 records were identified, of which 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies were conducted across nine countries and involved various mHealth interventions. Quality assessment indicated that all included studies were of acceptable methodological quality. Meta-analysis demonstrated that mHealth interventions significantly increased antenatal care attendance by approximately 50% (p = 0.037). However, no statistically significant effects were observed for facility delivery (p = 0.566), exclusive breastfeeding duration to 5–6 months (p = 0.172), or childhood vaccination completion at 9 months (p = 0.180). Publication bias assessment showed no significant evidence of bias. Conclusion: mHealth interventions are effective in improving antenatal care attendance and represent a scalable approach for strengthening maternal healthcare utilization. However, their impact on facility delivery, exclusive breastfeeding, and childhood vaccination compliance appears limited when implemented as standalone interventions. Integrating mHealth strategies with broader health system and community-based support mechanisms may enhance their effectiveness in improving maternal and child health outcomes.

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This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License . Free to read, share, and adapt with attribution.