THURS-120 - The Role of Social Networking Sites and Mhealth Apps in Maternal Health Literacy and Behavior
Thursday, April 23, 2026
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM PST
Location: Plaza Foyer, Plaza Level
Area of Responsibility: Area VI: Communication Keywords: Health Behavior@@@Health Literacy@@@Maternal and Child Health, Subcompetencies: 6.1.2 Identify the assets, needs, and characteristics of the audience(s) that affect communication and message design (e.g., literacy levels, language, 6.1.3 Identify communication channels (e.g., social media and mass media) available to and used by the audience(s). Research or Practice: Research
Associate Clinical Professor Texas Woman's University Aledo, Texas, United States
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Analyze the relationship between social networking site (SNS) usage and maternal health literacy (MHL) across decision-making, knowledge, information assessment, and information-seeking domains.
Apply findings to inform health education, digital health design, and maternal health promotion strategies in professional practice.
Evaluate how patterns and intensity of social networking site (SNS) use are associated with variations in maternal health literacy (MHL) across decision-making, health knowledge, information appraisal, and information-seeking domains.
Brief Abstract Summary: Discover how social networking sites (SNS) shape maternal health literacy (MHL) among U.S. women during pregnancy and postpartum. Findings from a cross-sectional survey of 244 participants reveal that SNS use predicts higher MHL—especially in knowledge, information assessment, and information seeking. Yet, relying exclusively on SNS is linked to lower literacy and knowledge, underscoring the risks of limited information sources. With 74% of women reporting pregnancy app use and 63% calling for higher app quality, results highlight both opportunities and challenges of digital health engagement. Gain insight into how blending SNS with credible online tools can better support informed decision-making, and recognize the need for improved, trustworthy digital resources to strengthen maternal health outcomes.
Detailed abstract description: Gain practical insights into how digital tools shape maternal health literacy (MHL) and why this matters for your work with pregnant and postpartum women. This presentation goes beyond the numbers to uncover both the promise and pitfalls of social networking sites (SNS) and pregnancy apps as sources of health information. You will: Learn how SNS use can strengthen MHL skills such as knowledge acquisition, information assessment, and health information seeking. Recognize the risks of relying solely on SNS, where limited perspectives and variable content quality may undermine informed decision-making. Discover how pregnant and postpartum women are currently using pregnancy apps, with three out of four women reporting use—and the majority expressing concerns about app quality. Get evidence-based recommendations for how health professionals, researchers, and digital health developers can design and promote credible, accessible tools that truly meet women’s needs. Explore how integrating SNS with other reliable online sources can create more robust pathways to maternal health literacy and improved outcomes. By attending, you will walk away with: A clearer understanding of how women engage with digital platforms during pregnancy and postpartum. Actionable insights into improving digital health resources and guiding patients or program participants toward credible sources. Practical strategies for integrating maternal health literacy considerations into education, clinical practice, app development, or community health programming. Ideas for advancing research and partnerships that bridge technology with maternal and child health promotion. This session is for anyone invested in maternal and child health—public health professionals, health educators, clinicians, digital health designers, researchers, and community leaders. You will leave equipped to translate findings into practice, advocate for better digital tools, and contribute to reducing disparities in maternal health literacy.
