Experiential Classes Plus Digital Logging in Antenatal Care for Pregnant Women in China: Mixed Methods Study
Date
Authors
Sun, Zhenfeng
Yang, Fuwen
Wang, Xi
Sun, Yin
Zhang, Suhan
Ma, Liangkun
Supervisor
Item type
Journal Article
Degree name
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
JMIR Publications Inc.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Maternal health during the perinatal period is a global public health priority. While antenatal education is widely implemented, conventional lecture-based models often fail to achieve sustained behavior change. Innovative approaches that integrate experiential learning with digital support may enhance maternal knowledge, self-management, and pregnancy outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a combined experiential class and online logging intervention for pregnant women in China and to explore the mechanisms underpinning its impact on health practices and service experiences. METHODS: A mixed methods design was used in a district-level maternal and child health hospital in Beijing. In the quantitative arm, 40 women (intervention group, n=20; control group, n=20) were enrolled in a quasi-experimental comparison. Outcomes included knowledge-attitude-practice indicators, service satisfaction, and clinical birth outcomes. Given the limited sample size, a qualitative arm was conducted to complement statistical findings: semistructured interviews with 20 women (10 per group) were analyzed thematically. Quantitative and qualitative results were integrated during interpretation to provide a comprehensive evaluation. RESULTS: Compared with the experiential class alone, the combined intervention was associated with higher knowledge scores (mean difference 1.6 points, 95% CI 0.8-2.4), stronger adherence to recommended health practices (composite adherence score difference 1.0, 95% CI 0.4-1.6), and higher overall service satisfaction (mean difference 0.6, 95% CI 0.2-1.0). Across multiple domains, a higher proportion of participants in the intervention group met dietary, exercise, and supplementation recommendations. Clinical outcome differences were exploratory, as the study was not powered for these end points. Qualitative analysis revealed 3 mechanisms, such as empowerment and self-efficacy, practice and persistence, and systemic/environmental support, through which the intervention influenced experiences and practices. CONCLUSIONS: The experiential class plus online logging model is feasible and acceptable in a real-world antenatal setting. Although limited by a small sample size, findings suggest that the intervention improves maternal knowledge, health practices, and service experiences and may inform future adequately powered trials to evaluate pregnancy outcomes. Qualitative insights highlight mechanisms of health practice change and provide contextual depth, underscoring the value of mixed methods designs in maternal health research.Description
Keywords
China, antenatal education, digital health, experiential learning, maternal health, mixed methods, 4204 Midwifery, 4206 Public Health, 42 Health Sciences, Maternal Morbidity and Mortality, Women's Health, Behavioral and Social Science, Perinatal Period - Conditions Originating in Perinatal Period, Clinical Trials and Supportive Activities, Clinical Research, Maternal Health, Pediatric Research Initiative, Prevention, Pregnancy, 3.1 Primary prevention interventions to modify behaviours or promote wellbeing, Reproductive health and childbirth, 3 Good Health and Well Being, 4203 Health services and systems
Source
J Particip Med, ISSN: 2152-7202 (Print); 2152-7202 (Online), JMIR Publications Inc., 18, e84705-. doi: 10.2196/84705
DOI
Publisher's version
Rights statement
© Zhenfeng Sun, Fuwen Yang, Xi Wang, Yin Sun, Suhan Zhang, Liangkun Ma. Originally published in Journal of Participatory Medicine (https://jopm.jmir.org), 21.Apr.2026. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in Journal of Participatory Medicine, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic information, a link to the original publication on https://jopm.jmir.org, as well as this copyright and license information must be included.