Early Stage Design of a mHealth Intervention for Managing Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Bangladeshi Women

Abstract

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a rising concern worldwide, particularly in low-resource countries such as Bangladesh, where access to healthcare facilities is limited and awareness of GDM management is inadequate. This work proposes an early-stage design of user interfaces (UIs) for a mobile health (mHealth) intervention using the Bengali language that allows users to input daily measures of blood glucose, weight, and other GDM-related health data. The intervention is designed to provide users with personalized feedback based on their input and the necessary coaching for managing GDM. It also reminds users to take medication if prescribed by their doctors. The app has six key features: blood glucose tracking, food logging, medication reminders, activity tracking, educational resources, and personalized recommendations. Overall, this work provides a valuable contribution to the field of mHealth-based maternal and child health in Bangladesh. However, further research is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of the intervention in real-world scenarios. Such evaluations will provide valuable insights into its potential impact and help refine the design to better serve the needs of GDM patients in Bangladesh.