Table 1.
Characteristics of the included studies
| Author(s), title and year | Objective | Setting | Participant Characteristics | Study Design and Duration | Study groups and Description of Intervention | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anitasari & Andrajati, 2017 | To obtain an overview of sociodemographic characteristics and clinical characteristics and to assess the effectiveness of SMS reminders compared to leaflets in complying with taking iron supplements and improving haemoglobin levels in pregnant women, at two public health centres, in Depok City, Indonesia | Two public health centres from March to May 2016, Depok City, Indonesia |
Pregnant women (n = 74) Gestation: 14 to 32 weeks Age (years): <20 (n = 1) 20–30 (n = 53)>35 (n = 20) Education: Elementary (n = 16) Advanced: (n = 58) Occupation: Working (n = 6) not working (n = 68) Parity: Nullipara (n = 21) Primipara (n = 27) Multipara (n = 26) Grande multipara (n = 0) |
Quasi‐experimental study with two intervention groups (pre and post study design) Duration Study: not stated (Recruitment: 3 months) intervention: 1 month |
SMS group (n = 36) received SMS reminders to adhere to iron supplementation once per week for 1 month after administration of supplements. Adherence was measured through eight‐item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS‐8) questionnaire and haemoglobin levels (measured by HemoCue). Leaflets group (n = 38) received health education media intervention in form of leaflets once at the time they were given iron supplements Nutrition‐related target of intervention: Iron supplements |
Did not measure the amount of heme food sources consumed each day by the women. Did not account for the impact of side effects (e.g., vomiting) on haemoglobin levels. |
| Bangal et al., 2017 | To improve maternal health and pregnancy outcome by optimum utilisation of antenatal, natal, and postnatal care services, with the use of mobile phone as a medium of communication between health care provider and community in rural area | Rural Medical College, Loni, Ahmednagar. India |
Pregnant women (n = 400) Gestation: not stated Age: Not stated |
Randomised controlled trial Duration Study: 1 year Intervention: Not stated (pregnancy and postnatal period weeks not indicated) |
Intervention group received mobile phone calls, as reminders about next visit and text messages (SMS) on important aspects of antenatal care such as reminder to take supplements at regular intervals in addition to routine antenatal care (n = 200) Control group received routine antenatal care and advice as per hospital protocol (n = 200) nutrition‐related target of intervention: Iron and Calcium supplements |
Person who was calling is not stated |
| Fedha, 2014 | To assess whether the use of mobile technology can increase antenatal service utilisation and hospital deliveries by pregnant women in two health facilities in Njoro Division, Nakuru County in Kenya | Two health facilities in Nakuru, Kenya from April 2012 and July 2012 |
Pregnant women (n = 397) Gestation: 12–36 weeks Age: 20–29 years: (65%) 15–16 years: (1%) >40 years: (1.3%) Marital status: Married: (86.6%) Single: (13.3%) Education: Lower primary: (1.5%) Primary: (52.6%) secondary: (36.8%). Tertiary education: (9.1%) Parity: Primi‐gravidae: (36.3%) Para 1 (27%) Para 2 (18.4%) Para 3 (8.1%) Para 4 (5.0%). > Para (5.4%) |
Randomised controlled trial Duration Study: 10 monthsIntervention: Not stated |
Intervention group received reminders every fortnight relating to next visit to the clinic and advice about their health including iron and vitamin supplements and diet counselling use via mobile phone, however the delivery mode for example, SMS, call was not stated (n = 191) Control group received no mobile phone support, continue with routine services (n = 206) Nutrition‐related target of intervention: Iron and vitamin (not further specified) supplements and diet counselling |
Compliancy was not checked with taking nutrient supplements, researcher relied on information as entered in the client's clinic register, Exclusion criteria were not considered that is, gestation age below 12 weeks to excluded, but they were included in data analysis |
| Pai et al., 2013 | To describe the use of automated voice calls to promote adherence to iron supplements among pregnant women in urban India | Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital, located near the Dharavi slum in Mumbai, India |
Pregnant women (n = 79) Gestation: 13–28 weeks Mean age: Intervention (24.5 years) and control (24 years) Mean education (years): Intervention (8.3) and control (7.3) Mean prior pregnancies: Intervention (0.8) and control (0.6) |
Randomised controlled trial Duration Study: Not stated Intervention: 3 months |
Intervention group received short audio messages delivered via mobile phone, three times per week for a period of 3 months, encouraging them to take iron supplements in addition to counselling session and a free supply of medication (n = 39) Control group received a counselling session and a free supply of medication (n = 40) Nutrition‐related target of intervention: Iron supplements |
Limited information about and control over women's access to medication. Should have issued medication directly or verify that women received medication. |
Note. SMS: short message service.