Design and development of gestational diabetes self-care system based on mobile phone

Introduction: Nowadays there is no absolute treatment for gestational diabetes. Therefore, lifestyle management and self-care are highly recommended. In this regard، the use of information technology such as mobile phones can help in the process of self-care to pregnant mothers. The purpose of the present research was designing and development of gestational diabetes self-care system based on mobile phones.

Methods: This applied-developmental study was done based on 4 phases. These phases included: determining the required data through the related literature review and questionnaires, designing processes scenarios and drawing the UML graphs through Rational Rose software, creating a prototype system using the Java programming language in Android studio software environment, and system usability evaluation via questionnaire.

Results: In the first phase, 4 data elements were eliminated and 39 (with at least 55% response frequency) were considered necessary. In the fourth stage, with acquiring a minimum average score of 6.1, evaluators were satisfied with the usability of all aspects of the system.

Conclusion: The findings concerning determination of the required data based on the mobile phone system, designing, creating and consequently evaluating it in all usability axes indicated a good level of system usability. Accordingly، it is suggested that future studies be performed on clinical trials effectiveness of using this gestational diabetes self-care software or similar systems designed to control the diet of these patients