Improving Perinatal Care in the Rural Regions Worldwide by Wireless Enabled Antepartum Fetal Monitoring: A Demonstration Project
Background. Fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality are significant problems in developing countries; remote maternal-fetal monitoring offers promise in addressing this challenge. The Gary and Mary West Health Institute and the Instituto Carlos...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2015-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/794180 |
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| Summary: | Background. Fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality are significant problems
in developing countries; remote maternal-fetal monitoring offers promise in addressing this challenge.
The Gary and Mary West Health Institute and the
Instituto Carlos Slim de la Salud conducted a demonstration project of wirelessly
enabled antepartum maternal-fetal monitoring in the state of Yucatán, Mexico,
to assess whether there were any fundamental barriers preventing deployment and use.
Methods. Following informed consent, high-risk pregnant women at 27–29
weeks of gestation at the Chemax primary clinic participated in remote maternal-fetal monitoring.
Study participants were randomized to receive either prototype wireless monitoring or standard-of-care.
Feasibility was evaluated by assessing technical aspects of performance, adherence to monitoring
appointments, and response to recommendations. Results. Data were collected from
153 high-risk pregnant indigenous Mayan women receiving either remote monitoring (n=74) or usual standard-of-care (n=79). Remote monitoring resulted in markedly increased adherence (94.3% versus 45.1%).
Health outcomes were not statistically different in the two groups.
Conclusions. Remote maternal-fetal monitoring is
feasible in resource-constrained environments and can improve
maternal compliance for monitoring sessions. Improvement in maternal-fetal health outcomes
requires integration of such technology into sociocultural context and addressing
logistical challenges of access to appropriate emergency services. |
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| ISSN: | 1687-6415 1687-6423 |