MatrikalinDiabetes: User-Centered Design of a mHealth App for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Management and Education Among Bangladeshi Women

Abstract

This study employs the User-Centered Design (UCD) methodology to develop a mobile health (mHealth) application (app) specifically tailored for Bangladeshi women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). GDM affects approximately 10% of pregnant women globally and around 35% within Bangladesh, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite its high prevalence, there is a significant lack of awareness and education about GDM in Bangladesh, compounded by language barriers that make existing digital solutions less accessible. The MatrikalinDiabetes mHealth app aims to overcome these barriers by providing comprehensive management and educational resources for GDM in the Bangla language, addressing both pre-pregnancy and post-pregnancy needs. To ensure the app meets the actual needs of potential users, personas were created based on a literature review, and a survey was conducted. This process informed the development of both a low-fidelity, paper-based prototype and a high-fidelity digital prototype. Key features of the MatrikalinDiabetes app include tracking of food and water intake, physical activity monitoring, reminders, GDM education, chat forums for community support, blood glucose level (BGL) monitoring, an SOS button for emergency contacts, and quizzes for user engagement. Preliminary feedback indicated that 53.8% of participants favored the integrated features and expressed willingness to use and recommend the app. The survey of the high-fidelity prototype yielded positive responses, with 57.9% of participants strongly agreeing and 42.1% agreeing that the features were beneficial. The user-friendly design of the high-fidelity prototype ensures intuitive interaction, aiding in health management, enhancing GDM understanding, and promoting a healthier lifestyle among pregnant women in Bangladesh.