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130 Design and implementation of Bebeapp: an application to support parenting in rural communities

bmjpo · 2026-07-14 · canonical JSON source

7 visible annotations · policy: published · automated confidence ≥ 75.00%

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Objectives To develop and test a mobile application to support first-time caregivers in monitoring and promoting their child’s development.Methods An agile design framework was used to develop a mobile application, BebeApp, for Android smartphones with a focus on accessibility, simplicity, and cultural relevance. The design team included app developers, researchers, clinical staff from Wuqu’ Kawoq, and volunteer end-user caregivers. The app offers evidence-based guidance on sleep, activity, and feeding. Iterative focus groups, one-on-one co-design sessions, and at-home usability testing were conducted. A six-month pilot tracked user interaction with BebeApp.Results Between January and December 2022, a beta version of BebeApp was developed. Six focus groups were held (two with Wuqu’ Kawoq clinical staff and four with first-time caregivers). Additionally, five caregivers used BebeApp at home for one month. Early users reported a positive experience, highlighting that most tips were new and useful in their daily caregiving practices. The app was perceived as a trustworthy tool that strengthened parental knowledge in key early childhood development areas. In the pilot, users opened the app a median of 11 times per month, indicating frequent engagement.Conclusions BebeApp is an innovative digital intervention that demonstrated high acceptability among caregivers by expanding access to essential child development information in rural areas, suggesting strong potential for scale-up to marginalized communities.