Reducing Preconception Risks Among African American Women with Conversational Agent Technology.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Systems and tools are needed to identify and mitigate preconception health (PCH) risks, particularly for African American (AA) women, given persistent health disparities. We developed and tested "Gabby," an online preconception conversational agent system.

Methods

One hundred nongravid AA women 18-34 years of age were screened for over 100 PCH risks and randomized to the Gabby or control group. The Gabby group interacted with the system for up to six months; the control group received a letter indicating their health risks with a recommendation to talk with their clinician. The numbers, proportions, and types of risks were compared between groups.

Results

There were 23.7 (SD 5.9) risks identified per participant. Eighty-five percent (77 of 91) provided 6 mo

SUBMITTER: Jack B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4739811 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul-Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature