Articles in Press

Community-Based and mHealth Technology Approaches for Early Detection of Pregnancy Risks: A Scoping Review

https://doi.org/10.56741/IISTR.jphs.002253

Authors

Keywords:

Community-Based Interventions, Early Detection, Maternal Health, mHealth, Pregnancy Risks

Abstract

Pregnancy-related risks remain a major determinant of maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Delays in identifying high-risk conditions contribute to an increase in complications that could actually be prevented through early detection. Community-based approaches integrated with digital technology and mobile health (mHealth) have the potential to improve early detection by expanding service reach and enabling continuous monitoring. This study aims to map community-based and digital/mHealth interventions for the early detection of pregnancy risks. The study employs a scoping review design using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) approach and is reported in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Wiley, and EBSCO for publications from 2020 to 2025. A total of 9 studies that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed thematically. The results showed a variety of interventions, including community-based screening supported by mHealth applications and clinical decision support systems (CDSS), combined with the involvement of community actors. The most frequently identified risks included anemia, hypertension, and preeclampsia. Key outcomes included increased antenatal care visits, early detection of complications, and more timely referrals. Key success factors included the capacity of community health workers, ease of use of technology, and support from the health system. The integration of community-based approaches and digital technology has the potential to strengthen systems for the sustainable early detection of pregnancy risks.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Mayvita Nabila Kurniadi, Universitas Aisyiyah Yogyakarta

is a student in the Master’s Program in Midwifery at ‘Aisyiyah University in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Her academic interests include maternal and infant health, early detection of pregnancy risks, and the development of community-based and digital technology (mHealth) interventions in midwifery care. This research is part of the author’s academic capacity-building in the field of evidence-based midwifery. (email:mayvitanabila05@gmail.com).

Asri Hidayat, Universitas Aisyiyah Yogyakarta

is a faculty member in the Master’s Program in Midwifery at ‘Aisyiyah University of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Her areas of expertise include maternal and child health, midwifery care, and the development of evidence-based midwifery practice. She is active in education, research, and community service in the field of maternal health. (email:hidayat_asri@yahoo.com).

Dhesi Ari Astuti, Universitas Aisyiyah Yogyakarta

is a lecturer at Universitas Aisyiyah Yogyakarta, Indonesia, with a strong commitment to advancing the field of midwifery. She is actively engaged in research and has contributed to various reputable journals, particularly in maternal and child health, midwifery education development, and healthcare service improvement. Through her teaching and research, she promotes evidence-based midwifery practices and mentors students and health practitioners to deliver quality care focused on maternal and child well-being. (email: dhesi@unisayogya.ac.id).

Rikhly Faradisy Mursyida, STIKES Sukma Wijaya

has been a tenured faculty member at STIKES Sukma Wijaya Sampang since 2009 and currently serves as the President of STIKES Sukma Wijaya Sampang for the term 2022–2027. In addition, the author is also very active in various activities related to the Tridharma of Higher Education, including writing books, publishing articles, conducting seminars, providing community health services, participating in posyandu (community health posts), conducting outreach, providing training, and more. (email: rikhlydesy87@gmail.com).

References

WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, W. B. Group, UNDESA, and P. Division, Trends in maternal mortality 2000 to 2023. Geneva, 2025.

T. Mzembe et al., “Interventions to enhance healthcare utilisation among pregnant women to reduce maternal mortality in low ‑ and middle ‑ income countries : a review of systematic reviews,” BMC Public Health, pp. 1–30, 2023, doi: 10.1186/s12889-023-16558-y.

D. Scharff, K. R. Enard, D. Tao, G. Strand, R. Yakubu, and V. Cope, “Community Health Worker Impact on Knowledge, Antenatal Care, And Birth Outcomes: A Systematic Review.,” Matern. Child Health J., vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 79–101, Jan. 2022, doi: 10.1007/s10995-021-03299-w.

A. T. Gebremeskel, O. Omonaiye, and S. Yaya, “Multilevel determinants of community health workers for an effective maternal and child health programme in sub- ­ Saharan Africa : a systematic review,” pp. 1–14, 2022, doi: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-008162.

O. Rahman, N. Yamaji, Y. Nagamatsu, and E. Ota, “Effects of mHealth Interventions on Improving Antenatal Care Visits and Skilled Delivery Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries : Systematic Review and Meta-analysis,” J. Med. Internet Res., vol. 24, 2022, doi: 10.2196/34061.

M. Mishra et al., “Effectiveness of mHealth Interventions for Monitoring Antenatal Care among Pregnant Women in Low- and Middle-Income Countries : A Systematic Review,” Healthcare, vol. 11, no. 19, p. 2635, 2023, doi: 10.3390/healthcare11192635.

E. K. Ameyaw, P. A. Amoah, and O. Ezezika, “Effectiveness of mHealth Apps for Maternal Health Care Delivery : Systematic Review of Systematic Reviews,” vol. 26, pp. 1–19, 2024, doi: 10.2196/49510.

S. Till et al., “Digital Health Technologies for Maternal and Child Health in Africa and Other Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Cross-disciplinary Scoping Review With Stakeholder Consultation,” J. Med. Internet Res., vol. 25, 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.2196/42161.

B. F. Endehabtu, B. Tilahun, K. A. Gelaye, and S. A. Mengiste, “Mapping the Role of Digital Health Interventions to Enhance Effective Coverage of Antenatal Care : A Scoping Review,” J. Multidiscip. Healthc., vol. 17, no. January, pp. 71–82, 2024, doi: 10.2147/JMDH.S438097.

C. Kachimanga et al., “Evaluating the Adoption of mHealth Technologies by Community Health Workers to Improve the Use of Maternal Health Services in Sub-Saharan Africa : Systematic Review,” vol. 12, pp. 1–21, 2024, doi: 10.2196/55819.

A. C. Tricco et al., “PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and Explanation,” Ann. Intern. Med., vol. 169, no. 7, pp. 467–473, 2018, doi: 10.7326/M18-0850.

H. Arksey and L. O’Malley, “Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework,” Int. J. Soc. Res. Methodol., vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 19–32, Feb. 2005, doi: 10.1080/1364557032000119616.

D. Levac, H. Colquhoun, and K. K. O’Brien, “Scoping studies: Advancing the methodology,” Implement. Sci., vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 1–9, 2010, doi: 10.1186/1748-5908-5-69.

M. D. J. Peters et al., “Updated methodological guidance for the conduct of scoping reviews,” JBI Evid. Synth., vol. 18(10), pp. 2119–2126, 2020, doi: 10.11124/JBIES-20-00167.

M. D. J. Peters, C. M. Godfrey, H. Khalil, P. McInerney, D. Parker, and C. B. Soares, “Guidance for conducting systematic scoping reviews,” Int. J. Evid. Based. Healthc., vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 141–146, 2015, doi: 10.1097/XEB.0000000000000050.

B. L. Guthrie, A. T. Tsegaye, K. C. Rankin, J. L. Walson, and G. A. Alemie, “Partnering faith leaders with community health workers increases utilization of antenatal care and facility delivery services in Ethiopia: A cluster randomized trial,” J. Glob. Health, vol. 11, pp. 1–10, 2021, doi: 10.7189/jogh.11.04063.

A. Shibanuma et al., “Evaluation of a package of continuum of care interventions for improved maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes and service coverage in Ghana: A cluster-randomized trial,” PLoS Med., vol. 18, no. 6, 2021, doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003663.

K. Kikuchi et al., “Embrace intervention to improve the continuum of care in maternal and newborn health in Ghana: The Re-Aim framework-based evaluation,” J. Glob. Health, vol. 11, pp. 1–12, 2021, doi: 10.7189/jogh.11.08002.

S. Nagraj et al., “A Mobile Clinical Decision Support System for High-Risk Pregnant Women in Rural India (SMARThealth Pregnancy): Pilot Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial,” JMIR Form. Res., vol. 7, pp. 1–14, 2023, doi: 10.2196/44362.

A. A. Adepoju et al., “The ability and safety of community-based health workers to safely initiate lifesaving therapies for pre-eclampsia in Ogun State, Nigeria: An analysis of 260 community treatments with MgSO4 and/or methyldopa,” Pregnancy Hypertens., vol. 25, pp. 179–184, 2021, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.preghy.2021.05.005.

R. N. Qureshi et al., “Community-level interventions for pre-eclampsia (CLIP) in Pakistan: A cluster randomised controlled trial,” Pregnancy Hypertens., vol. 22, pp. 109–118, 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.preghy.2020.07.011.

E. Sevene et al., “Community-level interventions for pre-eclampsia (CLIP) in Mozambique: A cluster randomised controlled trial,” Pregnancy Hypertens., vol. 21, pp. 96–105, 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.preghy.2020.05.006.

A. Prajapati, V. Kumar, K. Soni, N. Singh, P. Jain, and Ruchi, “Prevalence of high-risk pregnancy among pregnant women enrolled under Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan in government health facilities of district Etawah, Uttar Pradesh: A cross-sectional study.,” J. Fam. Med. Prim. Care, vol. 11, no. 5, pp. 1876–1882, May 2022, doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1636_21.

J. Pervin et al., “Determinants of utilization of antenatal and delivery care at the community level in rural Bangladesh,” PLoS One, vol. 16, no. 9 September, pp. 1–16, 2021, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257782.

M. R. Knop et al., “Impact of mHealth interventions on maternal , newborn , and child health from conception to 24 months postpartum in low ‑ and middle ‑ income countries : a systematic review,” BMC Med., pp. 1–19, 2024, doi: 10.1186/s12916-024-03417-9.

R. T. Gayesa, F. W. Ngai, and Y. J. Xie, “The effects of mHealth interventions on improving institutional delivery and uptake of postnatal care services in low ‑ and lower ‑ middle ‑ income countries : a systematic review and meta ‑ analysis,” BMC Health Serv. Res., pp. 1–16, 2023, doi: 10.1186/s12913-023-09581-7.

H. Boene, A. Valá, M. W. Kinshella, M. La, and S. Sharma, “Implementation of the PIERS on the Move mHealth Application From the Perspective of Community Health Workers and Nurses in Rural Mozambique,” Front. Glob. Women’s Heal., vol. 2, no. May, p. 659582, 2021, doi: 10.3389/fgwh.2021.659582.

N. Cockburn et al., “Clinical decision support systems for maternity care : a systematic review and meta-analysis,” eClinicalMedicine, vol. 76, p. 102822, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102822.

E. M. Kabongo, F. C. Mukumbang, P. Delobelle, and E. Nicol, “Explaining the impact of mHealth on maternal and child health care in low- and middle-income countries : a realist synthesis,” BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, vol. 21:196, pp. 1–13, 2021, doi: 10.1186/s12884-021-03684-x.

WHO, Global strategy on digital health 2020–2027. geneva, 2025.

W. H. Organization, “Digital adaptation kit for antenatal care: operational requirements for implementing WHO recommendations in digital systems,” World Health Organization, Geneva, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240020306

K. Wright et al., “Implementation of Maternal and Newborn Health Mobile Phone E-Cohorts to Track Longitudinal Care Quality in Low- and Middle-Income Countries,” Glob. Heal. Sci. Pract., vol. 12(4), p. e2300506, 2024, doi: 10.9745/GHSP-D-23-00506.

World Health Organization, Digital transformation handbook for primary health care: optimizing person-centred point of service systems. Geneva, 2024.

K. Sowon, P. Maliwichi, and W. Chigona, “The Influence of Design and Implementation Characteristics on the Use of Maternal Mobile Health Interventions in Kenya : Systematic Literature Review,” JMIR mHealth uHealth, vol. 10, 2022, doi: 10.2196/22093.

W. H. Organization, “WHO guideline: recommendations on digital interventions for health system strengthening,” World Health Organization, Geneva, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241550505

Published

2026-10-26

How to Cite

Kurniadi, M. N., Hidayat, A., Astuti, D. A., & Mursyida, R. F. (2026). Community-Based and mHealth Technology Approaches for Early Detection of Pregnancy Risks: A Scoping Review. Journal of Public Health Sciences, 5(03), 937–957. https://doi.org/10.56741/IISTR.jphs.002253

Plaudit