Text4baby in the United States and Russia: An Opportunity for Understanding How mHealth Affects Maternal and Child Health

Abstract

Text4baby uses new technology to deliver health messages and engage pregnant women and new mothers in healthy behaviors. The authors describe the need for carefully conducted early adopter epidemiologic evaluation and describe one such evaluation in a women, infant, and children clinic population in the United States and its proposed adaptation for use among early users of Text4baby in Russia. Collaborative efforts among countries can guide international understanding and use of best practices of this emerging technology.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge USAID for funding and support of project activities in Russia and the Beaumont Foundation for the current evaluation of the Text4baby program in Georgia.

Notes

¹See http://www.text4baby.org

²See http://www.fzr-eng.ru

³See http://www.levada.ru/press/2009041302.html

Note. MCH = maternal and child health; T4B = Text4baby.^RQuestions unique to T4B in Russia.

⁴See http://health.gbiportal.net/2011/09/29/usaid-mama-initiative-leading-the-way-in-mobile-for-maternal-health-projects