Exploring Women's Perspectives on Receiving AI-Enabled Digital Support for Infant Feeding: Multimethods Cross-Sectional Study.
Just over half of women were open to AI recommending professional infant feeding support.
Exploring Women's Perspectives on Receiving AI-Enabled Digital Support for Infant Feeding: Multimethods Cross-Sectional Study.
Infant feeding practices, including breastfeeding, are known to benefit maternal and child health outcomes.
This study aims to explore women's perceptions of using AI-enabled infant feeding support within mobile health (mHealth) interventions.
Different women who received antenatal care in Hunter New England Local Health District were recruited for quantitative and qualitative data collection.
over half were open to AI flagging when to see a professional
A total of 164 women completed the quantitative survey.
Fewer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants were open to receiving AI-generated support (adjusted odds ratio 0.41, 95% CI 0.19-0.92) or advice to see a health professional (adjusted odds ratio 0.29, 95% CI 0.13-0.64).
Twelve women participated in 3 online focus groups.
Thematic analysis (1) opportunities to fill gaps in support, (2) variable confidence engaging with AI for information and advice, and (3) potential convenience of AI and mHealth to offer timely support.
The study highlights the potential of AI and barriers to women's acceptability and engagement.
While women recognized the potential for AI to fill health care gaps in infant feeding support, including after business hours, there was less interest in AI replacing "in-person" support or information easily located via online search.
Women's concerns regarding the credibility and trustworthiness of AI-enabled support should be addressed to maximize their use of emerging AI-enabled tools, embedded within digital technologies and mHealth.