Advancing Maternal Outcomes with E-Health Interventions: A Scoping Review

Background: Maternal health remains a universal concern in both developed and developing countries. With the advent of e-medicine and other digital health technologies, new opportunities have emerged to improve mothers' health. Delays in seeking, reaching, and receiving care continue to be a significant factor in preventing maternal deaths. E-health interventions may play an important role in addressing these delays by improving access to information, communication, and quality care. This scoping review aims to address gaps in the literature regarding the use of e-health interventions to reduce maternal mortality, including what types of digital interventions were used, what the outcomes were, and what future research needs to be conducted. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scopus databases from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2024, identifying 1922 documents. The selection was limited to original studies involving pregnant women and the application of e-medicine or other digital interventions to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. Results: This review includes 17 studies following screening and selection. Digital interventions have the potential to reduce maternal and perinatal mortality through telemedicine and mHealth, improve adherence to essential birth practices via e-learning, and enhance data collection and obstetric care quality with EMRs. Telemonitoring offers a cost-effective alternative to hospital admission for low-risk pregnancies. However, effectiveness varies based on context, target population, and integration with existing healthcare systems. Challenges include the need for complementary strategies to address socio-economic determinants, data quality, healthcare provider training, digital literacy, and mental health needs. While some interventions reduce invasive procedures and improve healthcare delivery efficiency, persistently high rates of antenatal and postnatal depression suggest a need for a more holistic approach to maternal healthcare. Conclusion: Integrating e-health solutions into maternal healthcare can significantly reduce delays in emergency situations and improve maternal and perinatal outcomes. While challenges such as infrastructure limitations and caregiver compliance persist, findings highlight the need for tailored strategies to address these barriers. Ultimately, prioritizing e-health initiatives can lead to more effective and equitable maternal care, ensuring timely support for women when it is most needed.