Effect of Accessing Antenatal Care Information via Social Media Platforms on Maternal and Fetal Well-Being during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic push the social media platforms rapidly to become the best choice for pregnant women to be used for accessing antenatal care information. So, the use of social media platforms could be effective in promoting maternal and fetal wellbeing. Aim of the study: the study aimed to assess the effect of accessing antenatal care information via social media platforms on maternal and fetal well-being during COVID-19 pandemic. Study design: Descriptive study was used to conduct this study. Setting: The study was conducted online on social media platforms through Facebook group . Sampling : A Purposive sample included 355 pregnant women. Three tools of data collection were used; I) Online questionnaire, II) Satisfaction Likert scale, III) Pregnancy follow up condition's questionnaire . Result : The present study revealed that the majority of the studied pregnant women reported that accessing antenatal care information via social media platforms was effectively on maternal well-being, (77.5%,71.5%) socially, psychologically and 56.3% physically, respectively. In addition to, it was effectively on fetal well-being. Moreover, there was statistically significant relation between total score of knowledge and total score of satisfaction and total score of effect of accessing antenatal care information via social media platforms on maternal and fetal well-being, respectively. Conclusion: The Majority of the studied pregnant women had satisfactory level of knowledge about antenatal care information during COVID-19 Pandemic. Most of the pregnant women have many channels of social media platforms as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Google, WhatsApp, and Telegram and also, they satisfied with them. In addition to, majority of the studied pregnant women reported that accessing antenatal care information via social media platforms was effectively on maternal and fetal well-being. Recommendation: Integrate web or mobile technology-based program about pregnant women in nursing clinical practice. Further study, to explore the effect of digital educational program on а diverse areas as postnatal