A Web-Based Intervention to Address Risk Factors for Maternal Morbidity and Mortality (MAMA LOVE): Development and Evaluation Study

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Alexis Amore, Emory University; Abby Britt, Emory University; Santiago Arconada Alvarez, Emory University; Morgan Greenleaf, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2023-08-18
• Publisher: JMIR
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © Alexis Dunn Amore, Abby Britt, Santiago J Arconada Alvarez, Morgan N Greenleaf. Originally published in JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting (https://pediatrics.jmir.org), 18.8.2023.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): https://doi.org/10.2196%2F44615
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting
• Volume: 6
• Start Page: e44615
• Grant/Funding Information: This study was funded by a grant to ADA from the Board of Trustees at Emory University. Additionally, the design of this tool occurred while ADA was funded by the Georgia Clinical Translational Science Alliance 3UL1TR002378.
• Keywords: risk assessment; Black women; mHealth; patient education; pregnant; development; web-based; software; maternal mortality prevention; utility; Morbidity and Mortality Assessment: Lifting Outcomes Via Education; pregnancy; maternal; MAMA LOVE; usability; mobile technology; mortality; mobile health; algorithm; design
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology; Artificial Intelligence; Sociology, Ethnic and Racial Studies

Abstract

Background Maternal mortality in the United States is a public health crisis and national emergency. Missed or delayed recognition of preventable life-threatening symptoms and untimely treatment of preventable high-risk medical conditions have been cited as key contributors to the nation’s worsening mortality rates. Effective strategies are urgently needed to address this maternal health crisis, particularly for Black birthing populations. Morbidity and Mortality Assessment: Lifting Outcomes Via Education (MAMA LOVE) is a web-based platform that focuses on the identification of maternal morbidity and mortality risk factors. Objective The purpose of this paper is to present the conceptualization, development, heuristics, and utility evaluation of the web-based maternal mortality risk assessment and educational tool MAMA LOVE. Methods A user-centered design approach was used to gain feedback from clinical experts and potential end users to ensure that the tool would be effective among groups most at risk for maternal morbidity and mortality. A heuristic evaluation was conducted to evaluate usability and need within the current market. Algorithms describing key clinical, mental health, and social conditions were designed using digital canvas software (Miro) and incorporated into the final wireframes of the revised prototype. The completed version of MAMA LOVE was designed in Figma and built with the SurveyJS platform. Results The creation of the MAMA LOVE tool followed three distinct phases: (1) the content development and creation of an initial prototype; (2) the feedback gathering and usability assessment of the prototype; and (3) the design, development, and testing of the final tool. The tool determines the corresponding course of action using the algorithm developed by the authors. A total of 38 issues were found in the heuristic evaluation of the web tool’s initial prototype. Conclusions Maternal morbidity and mortality is a public health crisis needing immediate effective interventions. In the current market, there are few digital resources available that focus specifically on the identification of dangerous symptoms and risk factors. MAMA LOVE is a tool that can address that need by increasing knowledge and providing resources and information that can be shared with health care professionals.