Light Therapy for Gestational Hypertension

This thesis proposal investigates alternative treatment methods for gestational hypertension to prevent maternal mortality and morbidity in developing countries from the standpoint of user interaction, convenience of use, ergonomics and a holistic user-focused experience. Improving maternal health is key to preventing the death of half a million women that die every year due to pregnancy complications. Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy remain the leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality around the world, with a 14% higher rate in developing countries. A vast majority of those deaths, if not all, could be prevented by providing proper care, early diagnosis, and access to health services among others. By observational studies, interviews and surveys this thesis proposes an in-depth study of the environmental circumstances of the user and an ethnographic view of user-center design. Designing a suitable product to reduce high blood pressure during pregnancy, from addressing ergonomic factors and full body interaction in context, will help mitigate maternal mortality in developing countries. These learnings can be applied to other regions, benefiting a broader scope of users.