NCT07251569

The Effect of Mobile App Counseling on Postpartum Contraception Choices and Use

The Effect of Mobile Application Deveoped for Postpartum Contraception Counseling on Contraception Method Choice and Use

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 97 (actual)
• Sponsor: Burcu Dişli Oktar · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to determine the effect of a mobile application developed for postpartum contraception counseling on contraception method choice and use among postpartum women aged 18 and older. The main hypotheses it aims to answer are; * H1: Among postpartum women, the use of highly effective contraceptive methods is higher in the group using a mobile application for contraception counseling compared to the group receiving face-to-face counseling. * H2: Among postpartum women, the use of highly effective contraceptive methods is higher in the group using a mobile application for contraception counseling compared to the group receiving routine postpartum care. * H3: Contraceptive method continuation and satisfaction are higher in the group using a mobile application for postpartum contraception counseling compared to the group receiving face-to-face counseling. * H4: Contraceptive method continuation and satisfaction are higher in the group using a mobile application for postpartum contraception counseling compared to the group receiving routine postpartum care. Researchers will compare three groups: 1. Group receiving contraception counseling via mobile app: Women in this group will have a postpartum contraception counseling mobile application installed on their phones and will use the application for 12 weeks. 2. Group receiving face-to-face contraception counseling: These women will receive face-to-face contraception counseling during the initial encounter, and an educational booklet will be provided at the end of the counseling session. 3. Control group: Women in this group will receive routine postpartum care. All groups will be followed up at three time points: the initial encounter, the first follow-up, and the second follow-up. The initial encounter will be conducted face-to-face at the hospital within the first 5 days postpartum. The first follow-up will take place by phone at 6 weeks postpartum, and the second follow-up will be conducted by phone at 12 weeks postpartum.

Detailed description

Reproductive and sexual health rights are part of fundamental individual rights. Every individual, regardless of gender, has the right to access quality reproductive health services and to decide freely whether or not to have children. Contraceptive counseling guides individuals to make their own informed decisions in line with these rights, without being directive. The postpartum period is a particularly suitable time to provide contraception counseling for planning future pregnancies. Furthermore, qualified counseling during this period helps prevent unintended pregnancies and contributes to the protection and improvement of maternal and child health. However, due to the short duration of hospital stays after childbirth, women may not feel ready to receive counseling during their stay. In addition, as mothers often prioritize the care of their newborns and older children, they may miss postpartum follow-up visits, resulting in contraception counseling not being delivered effectively. International literature, including reports from the World Health Organization, has emphasized the inadequate provision of contraception counseling during the postpartum period and highlighted the development of mobile applications to address this issue. These applications assist individuals in choosing safe, effective, and appropriate contraceptive methods, enabling them to easily manage and monitor their reproductive health. Moreover, mobile applications contribute to national health systems by reducing costs and improving access to contraception counseling services for individuals living in rural or underserved areas, allowing access anytime and anywhere. This study aims to develop a mobile application specifically designed for postpartum contraception counseling and to determine its effect on postpartum women's contraceptive method choice and continued use.

Conditions

• Contraception Use

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Routine postpartum care	First Encounter: During the first five days postpartum, the postpartum woman was asked to complete the "Client Information Form" and "Contraceptive Information Form I." No intervention was performed. Postpartum women in this group received routine postpartum care offered to postpartum women in the hospital. First Follow-up: The client was called by phone at the sixth week postpartum. Breastfeeding status and whether she had initiated sexual intercourse were questioned. The "Contraceptive Information Form II" was completed by the researcher after being asked the client over the phone. Second Follow-up: The client was called again at the twelfth week postpartum. The "Follow-up Form" was completed by the researcher after being asked the client over the phone. At the end of the second follow-up, a general contraception counseling video was sent to the postpartum woman.
BEHAVIORAL	Face-to-face contraception counseling	First Encounter: During the first five days postpartum, the postpartum woman was asked to complete the "Client Information Form" and the "Contraceptive Information Form I." Sexuality during the postpartum period and the importance of contraception were then explained. Counseling on reproductive organ anatomy and general contraception was provided face-to-face, along with a booklet prepared as part of the research. At the end of the counseling, the booklet was given to the postpartum woman. She was told that she could review the booklet as often as she wished or needed. First Follow-Up: The client was contacted by phone at the sixth week postpartum. She was asked about her breastfeeding status and whether she had initiated sexual intercourse. The "Contraceptive Information Form II" was completed by the researcher over the phone. Second Follow-Up: The client was contacted again at the twelfth week postpartum. The "Follow-Up Form" was completed by the researcher over the phone.
BEHAVIORAL	Contraceptive counseling via mobile application	First Encounter: During the first five days postpartum, the postpartum woman was asked to complete the "Client Information Form" and "Contraceptive Information Form I." Information was provided about the importance of sexuality and contraception during the postpartum period. A postpartum contraception counseling mobile application was installed. The postpartum woman was asked to use the mobile application throughout the research period. First Follow-Up: The client was contacted by phone at the sixth week postpartum. She was asked about her mobile application use, breastfeeding status, and sexual intercourse status. The "Contraceptive Information Form II" was completed by phone. She was instructed to continue using the mobile application. Second Follow-Up: The client was contacted again at the twelfth week postpartum. She was asked about her mobile application use. The "Follow-Up Form" and "Mobile Application Evaluation Form" were completed by phone.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-01-22
• Primary completion: 2025-08-27
• Completion: 2025-08-27
• First posted: 2025-11-26
• Last updated: 2025-11-26

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)