Assessment by Pregnant Women of the Self-care Web Application for the Program for Relieving Hiesho (sensitivity to cold)

Abstract

Objective: To analyze evaluation of use of the web application developed as a self-care tool by pregnant women who used the program for relieving “hiesho” (sensitivity to cold) (“hiesho,” hereafter).

Method: Participants were 60 pregnant women using the program for relieving hiesho. The web application includes the items wearing leg warmers, performing exercises, and pressing acupuncture points, and participants continued self-assessment for four weeks. Data was collected at the end of the four weeks by means of a paper questionnaire, measured on the 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1: very much disagree to 5: very much agree.

Results: The web application was useful for continuing the program: median score of 4.0 (“somewhat agree”) (interquartile range 0.7); participants’ own awareness of sensitivity to cold: median score 4.0 (1.0); and able to continue the program with enthusiasm: median score 4.0 (1.0).

Conclusion: Many pregnant women believed that using the web application helped them continue the program and was useful for self-care.