Evaluation of a co-designed digital animation in service improvement (DAISI) sharing messages around modifiable behaviours to reduce the risk of stillbirth

Abstract

Background

In the United Kingdom, women from minoritised ethnic backgrounds experience increased rates of stillbirth compared to White women. To address this disparity, a digital animation, the Stillbirth DAISI (Digital Animation in Service Improvement), was co-produced to communicate messages in Arabic, English and Urdu about health behaviours that can reduce the risk of stillbirth.

Aim

To evaluate the acceptability and accessibility of the Stillbirth DAISI and its impact on knowledge of stillbirth and health behaviours that can reduce the risk of stillbirth.

Methods

Data were collected using two structured telephone interviews with 29 Arabic, English and Urdu-speaking women from minoritised ethnic backgrounds. Between 16-20 weeks of pregnancy, participants were asked about their demographic characteristics, knowledge of stillbirth and behaviours to reduce the risk of stillbirth, before being provided with the Stillbirth DAISI. Between 24-28 weeks of pregnancy participants were asked the same questions, as well as their thoughts and experience of using DAISI.

Findings

All participants accessed the Stillbirth DAISI and demonstrated increased in knowledge of stillbirth and behaviours to reduce risk of stillbirth. The median knowledge score increased from 5/14 [IQR 4-6.25] in the first interview, to 11/14 [IQR 9.75-12] in the second interview (p < 0.001). Participants thought the DAISI was an acceptable and accessible resource which provided important health messages.

Conclusion

The Stillbirth DAISI is an effective means to communicate messages about stillbirth prevention in different languages to minoritised ethnic women. Further studies are needed to determine whether improvement in knowledge translates to more equitable pregnancy outcomes.