The value of a mobile educative Application additional to Standard counselling on aspirin Adherence in Pregnancy: the ASAP study, a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Objective

To assess the added value of a novel, mobile educative application to standard counselling on aspirin adherence during pregnancy versus standard counselling alone.

Methods

Participants were randomly assigned for additional use of a mobile educative application or standard counselling alone. Main outcome measures were adherence to aspirin measured by two validated questionnaires: Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire (SMAQ), Believes and Behaviour Questionnaire (BBQ), and patients reported tablet intake >90%.

Results

A total of 174 women with an indication for aspirin during pregnancy were included. The questionnaires were filled in by 126 out of the 174 participants (72.4%). Similar results were found in the app group and the standard counselling groups for both validated questionnaires. Tablet intake >90% was seen in 88.7% and 87.5% (p = 0.834) of the app group and standard counselling group respectively. Subgroup analyses demonstrated a negative effect of BMI and a positive effect of educational level on adherence.

Conclusions

Our study revealed no added effect of a novel, mobile educative application to standard counselling on aspirin adherence during pregnancy. Tablet intake was equally high in both groups probably explained by our high educated population.

Innovation

Future studies should focus on tailored counselling on medication to pregnant women's needs including medication reminders, addressing concerns, adequate health literacy and side effects, offering rewards to further stimulate aspirin adherence in pregnancy with optimal outcome for mother and their neonate.