Exploring satisfaction on ANC digital health among pregnant women: a qualitative study

Pregnant women, have concerns regarding the potential risk of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases during their prenatal check-ups at healthcare facilities. They need routine online consultations to reduce the risk of complications for both themselves and their unborn children. The health services should adapt by offering digital health solutions, one of those is the ‘Guide Me’ application, which is accessible to pregnant women and designed to support their antenatal care through online services. However, although the implementation of mHealth solutions in communities may encounter various challenges, offering a comprehensive range of online services has the potential to significantly improve antenatal care (ANC) satisfaction for pregnant women. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the “Guide Me” app on pregnant women’s satisfaction with antenatal care. By assessing the satisfaction levels of women using the app for ANC, the study seeks to determine the effectiveness of this digital health service in improving their overall satisfaction with the care provided. This study employed a qualitative study at the antenatal clinics of Community Health Centers (CHCs) located in Pamulang, Banten Province, Indonesia from August 2022 to January 2023. The inclusion criterion for participants was being in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. The results of this study demonstrated that the “Guide Me” application provides substantial benefits to pregnant women utilizing online ANC services. The app highlights the flexibility and potential of technology-based healthcare services in addressing disparities in access to medical consultations and information. However, they encounter technological challenges, particularly related to signal interference, which leads to inconsistent communication during consultations. This study contributes to the advancement of ANC services through its exploration of women’s experiences in using the Guide Me App.