Rhodes, A; Kheireddine, S; Smith, AD; (2020) A mixed methods investigation into the experiences, attitudes and needs of Baby Buddy pregnancy and parenting app users during the COVID-19 pandemic. JMIR mHealth and uHealth 10.2196/23157. (In press).

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of expectant parents and parents of young babies, with disruption to healthcare provision and loss of social support. This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 and associated lockdown on this population through the lens of users of the UK, NHS-approved pregnancy and parenting smartphone app, Baby Buddy. OBJECTIVE: The study aims were threefold; firstly to gain insights into the attitudes and experiences of expectant parents and parents of young babies during the COVID-19 pandemic; secondly to investigate whether Baby Buddy is meeting the needs of its users at this time and thirdly to identify ways in which Baby Buddy could revise content to better support its users both now and in the future. METHODS: A mixed methods study design combining an online survey with semi-structured telephone interviews amongst Baby Buddy users in the UK was applied. Data collection ran from April 15th to mid-June, corresponding to weeks 4 to 13 of UK in lockdown. RESULTS: Online survey responses (n=436) and telephone interviews (n=32) revealed heightened levels of anxiety and stress amongst pregnant and postnatal respondents with over 88% (n= 386) of online survey respondents reporting increased levels of anxiety around pregnancy, birth and being a new parent. Loss of support from friends, family and healthcare services had detrimentally affected the wellbeing of respondents, leaving many feeling isolated, disregarded and overwhelmed. Whilst a minority identified some positive outcomes of lockdown, most respondents reported negative effects on their mental and physical health. Over 45% (n=106) of pregnant respondents were concerned about their physical health, with reduced levels of activity and poorer dietary behaviours being common. Postpartum respondents were especially worried about the effects of the lockdown on the development and socialisation of their baby. A total of 90% (n=392) of respondents reported that Baby Buddy was helping them at the moment, with many commenting that its role was even more important given the lack of face-to-face support from healthcare and parenting organisations. Greater speed in updating digital content to reflect changes brought about by the pandemic would have been appreciated. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has created heightened anxiety and stress amongst expectant parents and those with a young baby, and for many, lockdown has had an adverse effect on physical and mental wellbeing. With a reduction in healthcare and social support, expectant and new parents are increasingly relying on online resources. As an evidence-based and free app, Baby Buddy is well positioned to meet this need. It could support its users even more by actively directing them to the wealth of existing content relevant to their concerns, and by adding content to give users the knowledge and confidence to meet the new challenges facing them.

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