Assessing Early Stage Design of a mHealth App for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Management in Bangladeshi Women

Abstract

There is significant concern over the rising incidence of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) among expectant mothers in Bangladesh [1]. Limited healthcare facilities in rural areas hinder prompt diagnosis and efficient management of GDM in Bangladesh. Despite mHealth's benefits, there is a lack of GDM management apps in Bangla, the native language of Bangladeshi citizens. To assess the viability of the first GDM management mHealth app in Bangla, users were asked about its early designs and functionalities. The app features a blood glucose tracker, food diary, medication reminder, educational resources, activity tracker, and personalized recommendations. 30 women with pre-existing GDM who were visiting a clinic in Dhaka, Bangladesh, were freely recruited during July 2023, and participation was anonymized. Participants ranged in age from 24 to 43 years (mean 33.43, SD 5.4). Following a briefing on the app's features and functionalities, participants were shown early sketches of the app. Later, they were prompted with a series of questions to provide feedback on the initial design and features. The majority (n=24) participants exhibited a positive response towards the app, expressing a wish that they had such a tool during their experience with GDM. However, 2 participants viewed the app as an impractical tool, while 3 were uncertain, expressing concerns about the accuracy of the information and guidance provided by the app. Beyond a textual interface, 1 participant suggested the inclusion of voice-based interaction to accommodate users who are illiterate, unfamiliar with using apps or having visual impairments. All participants appreciated the interface's use of the Bangla language and its cultural tailoring. 9 participants specifically highlighted the culturally tailored dietary recommendation feature as particularly praiseworthy. The app can play a crucial role in managing GDM in Bangladesh based on the early-stage evaluation feedback. However, further research is warranted to evaluate the real-world effectiveness and feasibility of it with a high-fidelity prototype for in-situ evaluation with the target users.