Acta Scientific Women's Health (ASWH)(ISSN: 2582-3205)

Research Article Volume 3 Issue 2

What Information is Available to Women Regarding Coronavirus and Childbirth in Italy? A Mixed-methods Exploration of the Web During the COVID-19 Lockdown

Simona Fumagalli1*, Laura Iannuzzi2, Virna Franca Zobbi1, Romina Sada1, Dominique Mylod2 and Antonella Nespoli1

1School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy
2Centre for Midwifery, Maternal and Perinatal Health, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Bournemouth University, United Kingdom

*Corresponding Author: Simona Fumagalli, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy.

Received: September 25, 2020; Published: January 22, 2021

×

Abstract

Problem: The world is fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic and an infodemic; Italy is one of the most severely affected countries.

Background: The internet represents a popular source of health information. In Italy, its use amongst pregnant women and new mothers has increased during the lockdown. No research has examined the nationally accessible information related to childbirth in these unprecedented circumstances.

Aim: To explore online information accessible to Italian users concerning childbirth and coronavirus-related issues.

Methods: A mixed methods exploration of the web was conducted involving searches on Google, peer discussion forums and midwifery association webpages. Data were analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. A cross-consultation analysis of themes was performed to identify macro categories of information.

Findings: A total of 720 results from free searches, 635 interventions from 97 forums and 68 posts from four midwifery association webpages were analysed. Informative/divulging sources were the most prevalent in Google; pregnancy-related topics appeared more in discussion forums and midwifery association webpages. ‘Prevention’; ‘risks and outcomes’; ‘users’ experiences’ and ‘reorganisation of maternity services’ represent the cross-consultation categories of information.

Discussion: Google emerges as the main contributor to the infodemic; national systems of alert and ranking of web sources are needed. Women’s pragmatic needs are more likely to be addressed by peer-discussion forums and midwifery association webpages during and after COVID-19.

Conclusion: This is the first study to investigate childbirth-related web information during COVID-19 in Italy; findings may impact on education, research and practice.

Keywords: Social Network; Childbirth; Midwifery; Internet; COVID-19; Information

×

References

  1. WHO Director-General’s opening remarks at the media briefing on COVID-19—11 March (2020).
  2. Decreto del Presidente del Consiglio dei Ministri (DPCM) 25 febbraio 2020 avente ad oggetto “Ulteriori disposizioni attuative del decreto - legge 23 febbraio 2020, n. 6, recante misure urgenti in materia di contenimento e gestione dell’emergenza epidemiologica da COVID-19” (2020).
  3. Armocida B., et al. “The Italian Health System and the COVID-19 challenge”. The Lancet Public Health5 (2020): e253.
  4. Decreto MIUR nota 5967 del 26.02.2020.
  5. Wilson AN., et al. “Caring for the carers: Ensuring the provision of quality maternity care during a global pandemic”. Women and Birth (2020).
  6. Representatives of the STARSurg Collaborative, EuroSurg Collaborative, and TASMAN Collaborative. “Medical student involvement in the COVID-19 response”. Lancet10232 (2020): 1254.
  7. Hussein J. “COVID-19: What implications for sexual and reproductive health and rights globally?” Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters 1 (2020).
  8. Health TLP. “COVID-19 puts societies to the test”. Lancet Public Health 5 (2020): e235.
  9. Sayakhot P and Carolan-Olah M. “Internet use by pregnant women seeking pregnancy-related information: a systematic review”. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 16 (2016): 65.
  10. Slomian J., et al. “The internet as a source of information used by women after childbirth to meet their need for information: A web-based survey”. Midwifery 48 (2017): 46‐52.
  11. De Santis M., et al. “Use of the Internet by women seeking information about potentially teratogenic agents”. European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 2 (2010): 154-157.
  12. Bert F., et al. “Pregnancy e-health: a multicenter Italian cross-sectional study on internet use and decision making among pregnant women”. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 67 (2013): 1013-1018.
  13. Setola N., et al. “Optimal settings for childbirth”. Minerva Ginecologica 6 (2018): 687-699.
  14. Grimes HA., et al. “Sources of information used by women during pregnancy to meet their information needs”. Midwifery1 (2014): e26-e33.
  15. Zarocostas J. “How to fight an infodemic WHO’s newly launched platform aims to combat misinformation around COVID-19”. Lancet 395 (2020): 676.
  16. Istituto Superiore di Sanità. Course FAD “Emergenza sanitaria da nuova coronavirus SARS-COV-2 preparazione e contrasto”. Febbraio (2020).
  17. Javanmardi M., et al. “Internet Usage among Pregnant Women for Seeking Health Information: A Review Article”. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research 2 (2018): 79‐86.
  18. Mead N., et al. “What predicts patients’ interest in the Internet as a health resource in primary care in England?” Journal of Health Services Research and Policy 1 (2003): 33-39.
  19. Wright EM., et al. “The Influence of Social Media on Intrapartum Decision Making”. The Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing4 (2019): 291-300.
  20. Duggan M., et al. “Parents and social media”. Pew Internet (2015).
  21. Fumagalli S., et al. “Variables related to maternal satisfaction with intrapartum care in Northern Italy”. Women and Birth (2020).
  22. Grünebaum A., et al. “Women and children first: the need for ring fencing during the COVID-19 pandemic”. Journal of Perinatal Medicine4 (2020).
×

Citation

Citation: Simona Fumagalli., et al. “What Information is Available to Women Regarding Coronavirus and Childbirth in Italy? A Mixed-methods Exploration of the Web During the COVID-19 Lockdown”. Acta Scientific Women's Health 3.2 (2021): 02-13.




Metrics

Acceptance rate35%
Acceptance to publication20-30 days

Indexed In





News and Events


  • Certification for Review
    Acta Scientific certifies the Editors/reviewers for their review done towards the assigned articles of the respective journals.
  • Submission Timeline for Upcoming Issue
    The last date for submission of articles for regular Issues is December 25, 2024.
  • Publication Certificate
    Authors will be issued a "Publication Certificate" as a mark of appreciation for publishing their work.
  • Best Article of the Issue
    The Editors will elect one Best Article after each issue release. The authors of this article will be provided with a certificate of "Best Article of the Issue"

Contact US