Effects of Mobile Application Program (App)-Assisted Health Education on Preventive Behaviors and Cancer Literacy among Women with Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed (1) to study the effects of health education on preventive behaviors and cancer literacy among women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN); (2) to compare the effects of mobile application program (App)-assisted health education with traditional book-form health education. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 132 women ages 20 to 69 years women. METHODS: This prospective longitudinal study enrolled 132 CIN women who were evaluated three times. Propensity score matching was used by controlling subjects' age strata, body mass index, education level, occupation, and type of surgery. RESULTS: The influences of various educational tools were investigated. Four domains were assessed, including health behavior, attitude towards behavior change, self-efficacy of behavior, and cervical cancer (CCa) literacy. Significant improvements in behavior change and CCa literacy due to a health education program were observed (p ≤ 0.002). The App combined with a traditional booklet had the highest score for behavior change and was significantly greater than the booklet-only learning (p = 0.002). The App-assisted form, either App alone or combined with booklet, had a significantly better impact on health promotion when compared to the booklet alone (p = 0.045 and 0.005, respectively). App-only learning had the highest score of CCa literacy (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Health education interventions can have positive effects in terms of change of behavior and CCa literacy. App-assisted learning could be used as a supportive technology, and App learning alone or combined with a traditional booklet may be an innovative model of clinical health promotion for women with CIN.

Motivations and reasons for women attending a breast self-examination training program: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is a major threat to Taiwanese women's health. Despite the controversy surrounding the effectiveness of breast self-examination (BSE) in reducing mortality, BSE is still advocated by some health departments. The aim of the study is to provide information about how women decide to practice BSE and their experiences through the training process. Sixty-six women aged 27-50 were recruited. METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted using small group and individual in-depth interviews to collect data, and using thematic analysis and constant comparison techniques for data analysis. RESULTS: It was found that a sense of self-security became an important motivator for entering BSE training. The satisfaction in obtaining a sense of self-security emerged as the central theme. Furthermore, a ladder motivation model was developed to explain the participants' motivations for entering BSE training. The patterns of motivation include opportunity taking, clarifying confusion, maintaining health, and illness monitoring, which were connected with the risk perception for breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: We recognize that the way women decide to attend BSE training is influenced by personal and social factors. Understanding the different risk assessments women rely on in making their health decisions is essential. This study will assist researchers and health professionals to gain a better understanding of alternative ways to deal with breast health, and not to be limited by the recommendations of the health authorities.

Health-related behavior and adolescent mothers.

OBJECTIVE: To explore health-related behaviors among adolescent mothers living in the rural area of Taoyuan, Taiwan. DESIGN: A cross-sectional descriptive design and nonrandom survey method were used. SAMPLE: The sample consisted of 37 adolescent mothers, identified by public health nurses. MEASUREMENTS: Standardized interview and Adolescent Health Promotion (AHP) questionnaire. RESULTS: Findings revealed a pattern of economic disadvantage. Nearly half of the participants still lived with their biological parents. Two-thirds needed economic support from their parents (generally coming from their biological mother). Thirty-five percent of participants reported never using contraceptives, two-thirds had never had a Pap smear, and 44% did not breast-feed their infants. Nearly 60% of the children were cared for by the biological mothers of the participants. Adolescent mothers with high school education, and who were employed, married, and received parental economic support had better health-related behaviors than adolescent mothers without these characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Although the study sample has geographic limitations, future international studies with similar populations of adolescent mothers in rural settings will help public health nurses understand adolescent mothers' stressors and needs which in turn affect their health-related behaviors. Intervention strategies are needed to encourage behaviors to keep this population healthy.

The effectiveness of health promotion education programs for community elderly.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of health promotion education programs for a group of elderly residents in a community. A one group pre- and post-test design was used in this study. Nurses, dietitians, and physical education teachers worked collaboratively to provide a series of comprehensive, integrated education programs. Course content included healthy life style and health promotion, disease prevention, nutrition, exercise, and medication education. A total of 140 elderly participated in this study. Ninety- seven subjects attended all of the education programs. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Information about demographics, health status, health promotion knowledge and behaviors was included. The health promotion behavior data were collected twice. The initial data set was collected prior to the first course and the second after the fifth course. Health promotion knowledge was assessed pre- and post-test in the second, third, and fourth courses. The research findings revealed that the education programs were effective in improving elderly health promotion knowledge and behaviors. The scores for health promotion knowledge and positive health behaviors were high among subjects who were aged 65-69 years, were married, lived with family members and had higher education levels. The results could be used as a reference in future health promotion education in the community.