Profile of the users of mobile applications monitoring the course of pregnancy and its predictors among pregnant women – a cross-sectional study

Background
Pregnancy is a very sensitive period for a woman and her environment. Technological progress allows women to exercise greater self-control over their health and expands the possibilities of obtaining information about pregnancy, but at present little research focuses on how and why women use mobile applications during pregnancy.

Objectives
The aim of the study was to determine the profile of the use of mobile applications monitoring the course of pregnancy and its predictors among pregnant women.

Material and methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 using the CAWI method and responses were obtained by sharing a link to the survey in pregnancy groups on Facebook. The research used the author’s questionnaire, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Multidimensional Social Support Scale, and the Security Experience Questionnaire.

Results
1,077 pregnant women participated in the study, 1,002 of whom used and 75 of whom did not use medical applications monitoring the course of pregnancy. Most of the surveyed women were aged 26–35 and were in their first pregnancy and in the third trimester. On the SWLS scale, women represented a moderate level of life satisfaction (23.85 ± 5.28). The average score on the MSPSS scale was 69.13 ± 12.62, with women receiving the most support from a significant other (25.35 ± 4.1).

Conclusions
The probability of using mobile applications by women increased with the presence of comorbidities, treating pregnancy as a stressor, a higher score on the subscale of feeling and reflection on safety and among women aged 26–35.