Promoting safe habits in the use of mobile phones and applications by pregnant women
Section: Revisions
How to quote
Fernández Aranda MI. Promoción de conductas seguras en el uso de terminales y apps móviles por la mujer gestante. Matronas hoy 2018; 6(2):32-40.
Authors
María Isabel Fernández Aranda
Position
Matrona en el Servicio de Ginecología y Obstetricia del HospitalVirgen Macarena de Sevilla. Experta Universitaria en EstadísticaAplicada a las Ciencias de la Salud, Nutrición en Salud Pública,Seguridad Alimentaria y Educación del Consumidor y Promociónde la Salud en la Comunidad
Contact email: maribel.fernandez.aranda@gmail.com
Abstract
Introduction: there has been a great increase in the use of smart phones and applications during the past 17 years, also among pregnant women, who have found in these devices a way to obtain immediate answers to their doubts, and look for social support from other women who are undergoing the same experience. Various studies have demonstrated that their indiscriminate use could be potentially dangerous for the safety of the woman and the foetus. Objective: to identify the risks for pregnant women entailed by a continuous use of smart phones and healthcare applications, in order to implement this in the promotion of healthy and low-risk habits at the Primary Care setting. Method: a narrative review of the articles published in Spanish and English between January, 2000 and January, 2017, in the following secondary bibliographic databases: PubMed, Cochrane and MEDES, dealing with patient safety in terms of mHealth, smart phones or applications for medical information. Results: eighteen (18) bibliographical references that meet the inclusion criteria have been considered of interest. Discussion/Conclusions: though the only certainty is the thermal effect that mobiles cause on body tissues, it is recommended to inform adequately about the existing risks, and to reduce as much as possible the time of exposure of pregnant women to smart phones as a measure of precaution, and because the likelihood of an increase in the risk for the foetus caused by high levels of exposure cannot be ruled out.
Keywords:
patient safety; midwife; public health; mother-andchild health; medical computer applications
Versión en Español
Título:
Promoción de conductas seguras en el uso de terminales y apps móviles por la mujer gestante
Artículo completo no disponible en este idioma / Full article is not available in this language
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