Mobile Health Technology for the Surveillance of Surgical Site Infections Among Women Undergoing Cesarean Section: A Scoping Review (Preprint)
Journal
JMIR Preprints
Date Issued
2025-06-25
Author(s)
Abstract
Background:
With a global increase in cesarean section rates, the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) can increase due to short postoperative hospital stays and limited access to follow-up care.
Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate the current status and utilization of mobile health (mHealth) interventions for the surveillance of surgical site infections in post-cesarean section mothers.
Methods:
A systematic scoping review was conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL databases covering the years 2015–2025. Nine studies were included.
Results:
A total of 2,891 women who had undergone cesarean section were included. Effective post-cesarean recovery requires targeted support, particularly within the first 30 days. It is critical to conduct systematic follow-up during this period, with an extension to 90 days for women identified with infections. The themes for the mobile health technologies used by women who were discharged after cesarean sections included the types of mobile health tools, concepts, and outcomes. The subthemes of the mobile health tools included mobile devices (n = 8, 34.8%), mobile applications (n = 7, 30.4%), smart phones (n = 7, 30.4%), and electronic tablets (n = 1, 4.3%). The subthemes of the concepts of mobile health technology use included image-based wound assessment (n = 6, 27.3%), SSI monitoring (n = 4, 18.2%), post-discharge follow-up (n = 4, 18.2%), remote assessment (n = 3, 13.6%), predictive value (n = 2, 9.1%), screening algorithms (n = 1, 4.5%), communication (n = 1, 4.5%), captured and transit wound photographs (n = 1, 4.5%). The subthemes of outcomes of mobile health technology use included support surveillance (n = 8, 72.7%), high level of satisfaction (n = 1, 9.1%), informed decision-making on preventative strategies (n = 1, 9.1%), and reduced SSI rates (n = 1, 9.1%). The use of mHealth technologies is primarily focused on the development and evaluation of post-cesarean section image-based records to improve SSI detection and empower women to actively participate in post-discharge surveillance.
Conclusions:
Healthcare providers can utilize mHealth technologies to improve women’s engagement in post-cesarean section wound care and enhance image-based postoperative follow-up, thereby improving the overall quality of care.
Publisher
JMIR Publications Inc.
Type
other