Innovations and Barriers in Telehealth for Maternal and Child Health: A Global Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61978/medicor.v3i2.1080Keywords:
Telehealth, Maternal Health, Child Health, Digital Health, Mobile Health, Global Health EquityAbstract
Telehealth has emerged as a transformative solution in maternal and child health (MCH), particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This narrative review aims to synthesize recent innovations and identify systemic barriers that influence telehealth adoption in MCH contexts globally. Literature was sourced from PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Google Scholar, focusing on studies published in the past decade involving telehealth interventions targeting pregnant women, postpartum mothers, and children under five. Findings highlight that digital innovations such as mobile health applications, SMS reminders, and teleconsultations enhance antenatal care attendance, reduce perinatal mortality, and improve postpartum mental health and breastfeeding outcomes. However, significant challenges persist, including limited infrastructure, digital illiteracy, and socio-cultural resistance—especially in low- and middle-income countries. The review underscores the importance of inclusive policy frameworks, adequate funding, and healthcare workforce readiness in supporting equitable telehealth implementation. Future research should prioritize long-term impact evaluation and culturally tailored strategies to promote sustainable adoption.
References
Akın, E., Akbas, A., Atasoy, S., Kanatlı, M., Acici, S., Mustafayev, R., … & Ertem, İ. (2022). Applicability of the guide for monitoring child development as a telehealth delivered intervention during the pandemic. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2022.884779 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2022.884779
Alam, M., Banwell, C., Olsen, A., & Lokuge, K. (2019). Patients’ and doctors’ perceptions of a mobile phone–based consultation service for maternal, neonatal, and infant health care in Bangladesh: A mixed-methods study. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 7(4), e11842. https://doi.org/10.2196/11842 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2196/11842
Atchan, M., Graham, K., Hartney, N., Martis, R., Kearney, L., Davey, K., … & Sweet, L. (2023). Either ‘a blessing in disguise’, or ‘I couldn’t get help’: Australian and Aotearoa NZ women’s experiences of early infant feeding during COVID-19. Women and Birth, 36(3), e305–e313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2022.11.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2022.11.003
Baggett, K., Davis, B., Olwit, C., & Feil, E. (2023). Pre-intervention child maltreatment risks, intervention engagement, and effects on child maltreatment risk within an RCT of mHealth and parenting intervention. Frontiers in Digital Health, 5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2023.1211651 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2023.1211651
Benny, M., Kabakian‐Khasholian, T., El‐Jardali, F., & Bardus, M. (2021). Application of the eHealth literacy model in digital health interventions: Scoping review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(6), e23473. https://doi.org/10.2196/23473 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2196/23473
Bock, M., Kakavand, K., Careaga, D., & Gozalians, S. (2021). Shifting from in-person to virtual home visiting in Los Angeles County: Impact on programmatic outcomes. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 25(7), 1025–1030. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-021-03169-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-021-03169-5
Brugnaro, B., Vieira, F., Fernandes, G., Camargo, O., Fumincelli, L., Campos, A., … & Rocha, N. (2022). Exploration of the feasibility of remote assessment of functioning in children and adolescents with developmental disabilities: Parents’ perspectives and related contextual factors. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(22), 15101. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215101 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215101
Bulcha, G., Gutema, H., Amenu, D., & Birhanu, Z. (2024). Maternal health service utilization in the Jimma Zone, Ethiopia: Results from a baseline study for mobile phone messaging interventions. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-06683-w DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-06683-w
De, P., & Pradhan, M. (2023). Effectiveness of mobile technology and utilization of maternal and neonatal healthcare in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs): A systematic review. BMC Women’s Health, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02825-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02825-y
Duodu, P., Bayuo, J., Mensah, J., Aduse‐Poku, L., Arthur-Holmes, F., Dzomeku, V., … & Nutor, J. (2022). Trends in antenatal care visits and associated factors in Ghana from 2006 to 2018. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-04404-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-04404-9
Gilano, G., Dekker, A., & Fijten, R. (2024). The role of mHealth intervention to improve maternal and child health: A provider-based qualitative study in Southern Ethiopia. PLOS ONE, 19(2), e0295539. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0295539 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0295539
Hanach, N., Saqan, R., Radwan, H., Bani‐Issa, W., & Vries, N. (2024). Perceived experiences and needs of digital resources among postpartum women in the United Arab Emirates: Qualitative focus group study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 26, e53720. https://doi.org/10.2196/53720 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2196/53720
Helle, C., Hillesund, E., Wills, A., & Øverby, N. (2019). Evaluation of an eHealth intervention aiming to promote healthy food habits from infancy: The Norwegian randomized controlled trial Early Food for Future Health. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-018-0763-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-018-0763-4
Ishaque, S., Ela, O., Dowling, A., Rissel, C., Canuto, K., Hall, K., … & Bonevski, B. (2025). Mobile health interventions for modifying Indigenous maternal and child–health related behaviors: Systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 27, e57019. https://doi.org/10.2196/57019 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2196/57019
Islam, R., Kikuchi, K., Sato, Y., Izukura, R., Nishikitani, M., Jahan, N., … & Nakashima, N. (2022). Portable health clinic system for maternal and child health care in COVID-19 pandemic situation. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics. https://doi.org/10.3233/shti220700 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3233/SHTI220700
Kanté, M., & Målqvist, M. (2025). Effectiveness of SMS-based interventions in enhancing antenatal care in developing countries: A systematic review. BMJ Open, 15(2), e089671. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-089671 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-089671
Khaksar, S., Maroufi, M., & Kalhor, F. (2022). Reducing maternal stress in pediatric hospitalization during the COVID-19 pandemic by improving family-centered care with bedside telehealth: A pilot randomized clinical trial. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.18502/ijps.v17i4.10684 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijps.v17i4.10684
Madubuonwu, J., & Mehta, P. (2021). How telehealth can be used to improve maternal and child health outcomes: A population approach. Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology, 64(2), 398–406. https://doi.org/10.1097/grf.0000000000000610 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/GRF.0000000000000610
Moise, I., Ivanova, N., Wilson, C., Wilson, S., Halwindi, H., & Spika, V. (2023). Lessons from digital technology-enabled health interventions implemented during the coronavirus pandemic to improve maternal and birth outcomes: A global scoping review. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-023-05454-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-023-05454-3
Morony, S., Weir, K., Duncan, G., Biggs, J., Nutbeam, D., & McCaffery, K. (2018). Enhancing communication skills for telehealth: Development and implementation of a teach-back intervention for a national maternal and child health helpline in Australia. BMC Health Services Research, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-2956-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-2956-6
Morrison, K., Hughes, T., & Doi, L. (2022). Understanding the use of telehealth in the context of the family nurse partnership and other early years home visiting programmes: A rapid review. Digital Health, 8, 205520762211237. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076221123711 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076221123711
Nugraheni, W., Rachmawati, T., Susianti, N., Yulianti, A., Kusnali, A., Nuraini, S., … & Arifin, H. (2024). A decade of telehealth implementation for promotive and preventive care in Indonesia: A scoping review. Asian Journal of Social Health and Behavior, 7(3), 123–133. https://doi.org/10.4103/shb.shb_160_24 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/shb.shb_160_24
Paul, J., Dardar, S., River, L., & John‐Larkin, C. (2021). Telehealth adaptation of perinatal mental health mother–infant group programming for the COVID‐19 pandemic. Infant Mental Health Journal, 43(1), 85–99. https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.21960 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.21960
Ridgway, L., McKenna, L., Hokke, S., Hackworth, N., & Nicholson, J. (2022). Maternal and child health nursing education before and during COVID-19: An exploratory descriptive study. Journal of Professional Nursing, 41, 100–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2022.04.007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2022.04.007
Sagastume, D., Serra, A., Gerlach, N., Portela, A., & Beňová, L. (2024). Interventions to maintain essential services for maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review of evidence from low- and middle-income countries. Journal of Global Health, 14. https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.14.05024 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7189/jogh.14.05024
Schwank, S., Zhou, Q., He, Y., & Acharya, G. (2020). Perinatal mental health around the world: Priorities for research and service development in China. BJPsych International, 17(3), 50–53. https://doi.org/10.1192/bji.2020.5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1192/bji.2020.5
Sharma, P., Rao, S., Kumar, P., Nair, A., Agrawal, D., Zadey, S., … & Patel, V. (2024). Barriers and facilitators for the use of telehealth by healthcare providers in India—a systematic review. PLOS Digital Health, 3(12), e0000398. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0000398 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pdig.0000398
Stanley, A., & Wallace, J. (2022). Telehealth to improve perinatal care access. MCN: The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing, 47(5), 281–287. https://doi.org/10.1097/nmc.0000000000000841 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/NMC.0000000000000841
Turkmani, S., Smith, R., Tan, A., Kamkong, C., Anderson, R., Sakulku, S., … & Homer, C. (2023). An evaluation of the introduction of telehealth for remote antenatal and postnatal contacts in Bangladesh and Lao People’s Democratic Republic during the COVID-19 pandemic. PLOS Global Public Health, 3(5), e0000786. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0000786 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0000786
Walsh, T., Reynders, R., & Davis, R. (2022). New parent support needs and experiences with pediatric care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 26(10), 2060–2069. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-022-03496-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-022-03496-1
Wu, J., Zhang, Q., Liao, S., Li, J., Zhang, J., & Huang, J. (2024). Healthcare providers’ perceived barriers to providing breastfeeding support in Northwest rural China. International Breastfeeding Journal, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-024-00630-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-024-00630-3
