Dataset Information

Effectiveness of the ColorApp Mobile App for Health Education and Promotion for Colorectal Cancer: Quasi-Experimental Study.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Lack of knowledge and poor attitude are barriers to colorectal cancer screening participation. Printed material, such as pamphlets and posters, have been the main approach in health education on disease prevention in Malaysia. Current information technology advancements have led to an increasing trend of the public reading from websites and mobile apps using their mobile phones. Thus, health information dissemination should also be diverted to websites and mobile apps. Increasing knowledge and awareness could increase screening participation and prevent late detection of diseases such as colorectal cancer. OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the ColorApp mobile app in improving the knowledge and attitude on colorectal cancer among users aged 50 years and older, who are the population at risk for the disease in Kedah. METHODS:A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 100 participants in Kedah, Malaysia. Participants from five randomly selected community empowerment programs in Kota Setar district were in the intervention group; Kuala Muda district was the control group. Participants were given a self-administered validated questionnaire on knowledge and attitudes toward colorectal cancer. A mobile app, ColorApp (Colorectal Cancer Application), was developed as a new educational tool for colorectal cancer prevention. The intervention group used the app for two weeks. The same questionnaire was redistributed to both groups after two weeks. The mean percentage scores for knowledge and attitude between groups were compared using repeated measure ANCOVA. RESULTS:There was no significant difference in age, sex, highest education level, current occupation, and diabetic status between the two groups. The number of smokers was significantly higher in the intervention group compared with the control group and was controlled for during analysis. The intervention group showed a significantly higher mean knowledge score compared with the control group with regards to time (Huynh-Feldt: F1,95=19.81, P<.001). However, there was no significant difference in mean attitude scores between the intervention and control groups with regards to time (F1,95=0.36, P=.55). CONCLUSIONS:The ColorApp mobile app may be an adjunct approach in educating the public on colorectal cancer.

SUBMITTER: Yaacob NA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7064964 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Effectiveness of the ColorApp Mobile App for Health Education and Promotion for Colorectal Cancer: Quasi-Experimental Study.

Yaacob Nor Azwany NA Mohamad Marzuki Muhamad Fadhil MF Yaacob Najib Majdi NM Ahmad Shahrul Bariyah SB Abu Hassan Muhammad Radzi MR

JMIR human factors 20200225 1

<h4>Background</h4>Lack of knowledge and poor attitude are barriers to colorectal cancer screening participation. Printed material, such as pamphlets and posters, have been the main approach in health education on disease prevention in Malaysia. Current information technology advancements have led to an increasing trend of the public reading from websites and mobile apps using their mobile phones. Thus, health information dissemination should also be diverted to websites and mobile apps. Increas ...[more]

PMID: 32130119

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Project description:IntroductionWith the limited advancements in medical treatment, there is a growing need for supporting people with early-stage dementia adjust to their diagnosis and improve their quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week health promotion course for people with early-stage dementia.MethodsQuasi-experimental, single group, pretest-posttest design. A total of 108 persons with dementia participated in this study, and for each participant, a carer was interviewed. The 12-week health promotion intervention consisted of 2-hr sessions at weekly intervals. Outcome measures were cognition, measured by Mini-Mental State Examination, personal, and instrumental activities of daily living (P-ADL and I-ADL), measured by Lawton and Brody's Physical Self-Maintenance Scale and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale, self-rated health, measured by the European Quality of life Visual Analogue Scale, depressive symptoms, measured by the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia, and neuropsychiatric symptoms, measured by The Neuropsychiatric Inventory. Assessments were conducted at baseline and at follow-up 1-2 months postintervention.ResultsThe results demonstrate a small but statistically significant improvement in depressive symptoms (p = .015) and in self-rated health (p = .031). The results also demonstrated a small statistically significant decline in the participants' I-ADL (p = .007). The participants' cognitive function, P-ADL, and neuropsychiatric symptoms were stable during the 4-month follow-up.ConclusionThis study demonstrates promising results with regard to the benefit of attending a 12-week health promotion intervention in promoting health and well-being in people with early-stage dementia. With the majority of participants with early-stage dementia living at home without any healthcare services in a vulnerable stage of the condition, this study makes an important contribution to highlighting the need for, and benefit of, educational approaches for this population.

Project description:BackgroundHumane education, which focuses on the cultivation of kindness and empathy towards animals, the environment, and fellow humans, helps children to be less egocentric and more sensitive to the human-animal interaction in ecology.AimThis study aimed to evaluate an animal-assisted, school-based humane education programme that promotes a humane attitude and enhances social-emotional competence for children in Hong Kong.MethodA sequential mixed-methods formative evaluation was adopted in the pilot year of the programme. A controlled trial and focus groups were conducted to evaluate the preliminary outcomes and process of the programme and to identify the implementation obstacles and effective strategies. One hundred and ten primary three students from two primary schools participated in the study (55 in the intervention group and 55 in the control group with ordinary formal school extra-curricular activities). Paired sample t tests and a mixed ANOVA were conducted to explore the changes in students' social-emotional competence in our programme and two typical extra-curricular school programmes. Thematic analysis was conducted to categorise the transcriptions from the focus groups.ResultsQuantitative findings indicated that class-based, animal-assisted humane education increased cognitive competence (t[24] = 2.42, p = .02), empathy (t[24] = 2.94, p < .01), and reduced hyperactivity (t[23] = -2.40, p = .02). Further analysis indicated that the participant recruitment strategies moderate the impact of interventions on the development of empathy (F[2,104] = 4.11, p = .02) and cognitive competence (F[2,104] = 2.96, p = .05). Qualitative analysis suggested three major themes: enhancement of self-control, promotion of humane attitude, and improvement of reading skills.ConclusionThe preliminary results of this pilot study indicate positive effects of the programme. Vigorous systematic formative evaluation on the process and effective implementation should be included in future follow-up studies to ensure its sustainability and fidelity.

Project description:BackgroundSmartphone apps, fitness trackers, and online social networks have shown promise in weight management and physical activity interventions. However, there are knowledge gaps in identifying the most effective and engaging interventions and intervention features preferred by their users.ObjectiveThis 6-month pilot study on a social networking mobile app connected to wireless weight and activity tracking devices has 2 main aims: to evaluate changes in BMI, weight, and physical activity levels in users from different BMI categories and to assess user perspectives on the intervention, particularly on social comparison and automated self-monitoring and feedback features.MethodsThis was a mixed methods study involving a one-arm, pre-post quasi-experimental pilot with postintervention interviews and focus groups. Healthy young adults used a social networking mobile app intervention integrated with wireless tracking devices (a weight scale and a physical activity tracker) for 6 months. Quantitative results were analyzed separately for 2 groups-underweight-normal and overweight-obese BMI-using t tests and Wilcoxon sum rank, Wilcoxon signed rank, and chi-square tests. Weekly BMI change in participants was explored using linear mixed effects analysis. Interviews and focus groups were analyzed inductively using thematic analysis.ResultsIn total, 55 participants were recruited (mean age of 23.6, SD 4.6 years; 28 women) and 45 returned for the final session (n=45, 82% retention rate). There were no differences in BMI from baseline to postintervention (6 months) and between the 2 BMI groups. However, at 4 weeks, participants' BMI decreased by 0.34 kg/m2 (P<.001), with a loss of 0.86 kg/m2 in the overweight-obese group (P=.01). Participants in the overweight-obese group used the app significantly less compared with individuals in the underweight-normal BMI group, as they mentioned negative feelings and demotivation from social comparison, particularly from upward comparison with fitter people. Participants in the underweight-normal BMI group were avid users of the app's self-monitoring and feedback (P=.02) and social (P=.04) features compared with those in the overweight-obese group, and they significantly increased their daily step count over the 6-month study duration by an average of 2292 steps (95% CI 898-3370; P<.001). Most participants mentioned a desire for a more personalized intervention.ConclusionsThis study shows the effects of different interventions on participants from higher and lower BMI groups and different perspectives regarding the intervention, particularly with respect to its social features. Participants in the overweight-obese group did not sustain a short-term decrease in their BMI and mentioned negative emotions from app use, while participants in the underweight-normal BMI group used the app more frequently and significantly increased their daily step count. These differences highlight the importance of intervention personalization. Future research should explore the role of personalized features to help overcome personal barriers and better match individual preferences and needs.

Project description:Physical activity (PA) enhancement and mental distress reduction are important issues in cancer survivorship care. Mobile technology, as an emerging method for changing health behaviors, is gaining attention from many researchers. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a mobile app-based community on enhancing PA and decreasing distress in breast cancer survivors. We conducted a non-randomized, prospective, interventional study that had a mobile community-later arm and mobile community-first arm. With an Android smartphone app (WalkON®), daily walk steps and weekly distress scores using app-based Distress Thermometer (DT) questionnaires were collected from participants for about 12 weeks. To examine the difference in weekly step counts before and during the community activity, we used a paired t-test method. For a comparative analysis, we referred to a previous prospective observational study without a mobile community intervention that had the same setting as the present study. After propensity score matching (PSM), multivariable regression modeling with difference-in-difference (DID) was performed to estimate the effect of the mobile app-based community on PA and mental distress. From January to August 2018, a total of 64 participants were enrolled in this study. In the univariate analysis, after participation in the mobile community, the participants showed a significant increase in total weekly steps (t = -3.5341; P = 0.00208). The mean of the differences was 10,408.72 steps. In the multivariate analysis after PSM, the mobile community significantly increased steps by 8,683.4 per week (p value <0.0001) and decreased DT scores by 0.77 per week (p value = 0.009) in the mixed effect model. In the two-way fixed effect model, the mobile community showed a significant increase in weekly steps by 8,723.4 (p value <0.0001) and decrease in weekly DT by 0.73 (p value = 0.013). The mobile app-based community is an effective and less resource-intensive tool to increase PA and decrease distress in breast cancer survivors. Trial Registration: NCT03190720, NCT03072966.

Project description:BACKGROUND:Early nutrition interventions to improve food knowledge and skills are critical in enhancing the diet quality of children and reducing the lifelong risk of chronic disease. Despite the rise of mobile health (mHealth) apps and their known effectiveness for improving health behaviors, few evidence-based apps exist to help engage children in learning about nutrition and healthy eating. OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to describe the iterative development and user testing of Foodbot Factory, a novel nutrition education gamified app for children to use at home or in the classroom and to present data from user testing experiments conducted to evaluate the app. METHODS:An interdisciplinary team of experts in nutrition, education (pedagogy), and game design led to the creation of Foodbot Factory. First, a literature review and an environmental scan of the app marketplace were conducted, and stakeholders were consulted to define the key objectives and content of Foodbot Factory. Dietitian and teacher stakeholders identified priority age groups and learning objectives. Using a quasi-experimental mixed method design guided by the Iterative Convergent Design for Mobile Health Usability Testing approach, five app user testing sessions were conducted among students (ages 9-12 years). During gameplay, engagement and usability were assessed via direct observations with a semistructured form. After gameplay, qualitative interviews and questionnaires were used to assess user satisfaction, engagement, usability, and knowledge gained. RESULTS:The environmental scan data revealed that few evidence-based nutrition education apps existed for children. A literature search identified key nutrients of concern for Canadian children and techniques that could be incorporated into the app to engage users in learning. Foodbot Factory included characters (2 scientists and Foodbots) who initiate fun and engaging dialogue and challenges (minigames), with storylines incorporating healthy eating messages that align with the established learning objectives. A total of five modules were developed: drinks, vegetables and fruit, grain foods, animal protein foods, and plant protein foods. Seven behavior change techniques and three unique gamified components were integrated into the app. Data from each user testing session were used to inform and optimize the next app iteration. The final user testing session demonstrated that participants agreed that they wanted to play Foodbot Factory again (12/17, 71%), that the app is easy to use (12/17, 71%) and fun (14/17, 88%), and that the app goals were clearly presented (15/17, 94%). CONCLUSIONS:Foodbot Factory is an engaging and educational mHealth intervention for the Canadian public that is grounded in evidence and developed by an interdisciplinary team of experts. The use of an iterative development approach is a demonstrated method to improve engagement, satisfaction, and usability with each iteration. Children find Foodbot Factory to be fun and easy to use, and can engage children in learning about nutrition.

Project description:BACKGROUND:HIV incidence among young adult men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly among black and Latino men, continues to rise. As such, continued HIV prevention interventions for young MSM of color are of utmost importance. Male Youth Pursuing Empowerment, Education and Prevention around Sexuality (MyPEEPS) Mobile is a comprehensive HIV prevention and sexual health education smartphone app initially created to promote sexual health and HIV prevention among adolescent sexual minority young men aged 13 to 18 years. OBJECTIVE:The objective of this study was to critically appraise the acceptability and usability of MyPEEPS Mobile for young adult MSM aged 19 to 25 years. METHODS:Study participants used the mobile app, completed usability questionnaires and in-depth interviews, and reported their experience using the app. Analysis of interview data was guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to better understand the usability and acceptability of this intervention for young adults. Interview data were coded using the following constructs from the UTAUT model: performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence. RESULTS:A total of 20 young adult MSM (n=10 in Chicago, Illinois, and n=10 in New York, New York) were enrolled in the study. Participants reported that MyPEEPS Mobile was free of functional problems (Health Information Technology Usability Evaluation Scale scores and Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire scores consistent with high usability), easy to use, and useful, with an engaging approach that increased acceptability, including the use of avatars and animation, and inclusive representation of the diverse identities by race and ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Recommended areas for improving MyPEEPS Mobile for the target demographic included more adult-oriented graphics, advanced educational content, scenarios for youth with more sexual experience, and search function to increase accessibility of key content. CONCLUSIONS:Overall, young adult MSM aged 19 to 25 years described the MyPEEPS Mobile as educational, informative, and usable for their sexual health education and HIV prevention needs, and they provided actionable recommendations to optimize its use and applicability for this age group.

Dataset Information

Effectiveness of the ColorApp Mobile App for Health Education and Promotion for Colorectal Cancer: Quasi-Experimental Study.

Publications

Effectiveness of the ColorApp Mobile App for Health Education and Promotion for Colorectal Cancer: Quasi-Experimental Study.

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