Development of a wearable technological device for cervical dilation measurement and the evaluation of its use effectiveness

Objective: The aim is to develop a wearable technological device for dilatation measurement of the cervix and to evaluate the effectiveness of the device. Materials and Method: The study utilized an exploratory sequential design approach, which is one of the mixed method studies in which qualitative and quantitative methods are used together. The research consisted of three stages. The first stage included the development of the devices and retesting, the second stage included midwives' use of the cervical dilatation measurement device and the third stage included midwives' feedback on the cervical dilatation measurement device. Repeatability tests recording form in the first stage, vaginal examination application evaluation form in the second stage, midwife introduction and feedback form and midwife interview form in the third stage were used as data collection tools. The study was conducted between September 2023 and March 2025. Ethical approval was obtained from Manisa Celal Bayar University Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Ethics Committee. The evaluation of cervical dilatation was performed in the simulation laboratory of Manisa Celal Bayar University Faculty of Health Sciences. Midwives participating in the study were determined by snowball sampling method. The sample consisted of 30 midwives in the quantitative data and 22 midwives in the qualitative data obtained through interviews. In the analysis of quantitative data, number and percentage distributions, Independent Sample Test and t test were used using SPSS Statistics 25 program. Qualitative data were analyzed using MAXQDA data analysis program and themes, sub-themes and codes were created. Results: The accuracy of the developed cervical dilatation measurement device was 99.22%. The accuracy of the cervical dilatation values shown by the device during midwives' evaluation of cervical dilatation was 96.66%.In their feedback, 93.3% of the midwives stated that the cervical dilatation measurement device could be preferred in the clinic and that it was comfortable to perform vaginal examination, and 90% stated that it provided convenience during vaginal examination.With the qualitative data obtained from the interviews about the cervical dilatation measurement device, three themes (implementation experience, necessity of using the device, opinions and suggestions) and eight sub-themes (midwives' feelings and thoughts, usage process, personally, professionally, for pregnant women, for education, for the development of the device and for the areas of use) were labeled. Conclusion: Cervical Dilatation Measurement Device was found to have a high accuracy rate and to be effective when used by midwives. It is recommended to use the device in the clinical and educational field and to look at the results by using it in different areas.