Mobile Health and Exposures to Health and Risk Messages

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Fitts Willoughby
Keyword(s):  
Health Information ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Cell Phone ◽  
The United States ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Target Audience ◽  
Portable Devices ◽  
Attitudes And Behaviors ◽  
And Behaviors

People who communicate health and risk information are often trying to determine new and innovative ways to reach members of their target audience. Because of the nearly ubiquitous use of mobile phones among individuals in the United States and the continued proliferation of such devices around the world, communicators have turned to mobile as a possible channel for disseminating health information. Mobile health, often referred to as mHealth, uses mobile and portable devices to communicate information about health and to monitor health issues. Cell phones are one primary form of mHealth, with the use of cell phone features such as text messaging and mobile applications (apps) often used as a way to provide health information and motivation to target audience members. Text messaging, or short message service (SMS), is a convenient form for conveying health information, as most cell phone owners regularly send and receive text messages. mHealth offers benefits over other channels for communicating health information, such as convenience, portability, interactivity, and the ability to personalize or tailor messages. Additionally, mHealth has been found to be effective at changing attitudes and behaviors related to health. Research has found mobile to be a tool useful for promoting healthy attitudes and behaviors related to a number of topic areas, from increased sexual health to decreased alcohol consumption. Literature from health communication and research into mHealth can provide guidance for health communicators looking to develop an effective mHealth intervention or program, but possible concerns related to the use of mobile need to be considered, such as concerns about data security and participant privacy.

Attitudes and behaviors related to distracted driving in college students: a need for interventions in adolescence

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Corey H. Basch ◽  
Sarah A. MacLean ◽  
Philip Garcia
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Social Media ◽  
The United States ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Distracted Driving ◽  
Opinion Poll ◽  
Driving Behaviors ◽  
Attitudes And Behaviors ◽  
And Behaviors ◽  
Use Of Social Media

Abstract Objective One of the biggest contributors to distracted driving among young people in the United States is technology. The objective of this study was to describe distracted driving behaviors among college students, with a specific focus on attitudes towards and use of social media. Methods With written permission, a survey was adapted from the Distracted Driving Public Opinion Poll distributed by the National Safety Council. The survey comprised 43 questions assessing attitudes and behaviors. A total of 411 students enrolled in a personal health course were invited to complete the survey. In total 324 surveys were completed, resulting in a response rate of 79%. Results Among students with a driver’s license, 95.2% reported engaging in distracted driving behaviors. The use of social media while driving was common, with 30.7% reporting that they glance at, read, or post to social media while driving, most commonly on Snapchat or Instagram. It was common for students to make or answer phone calls (72.0%), review or send text messages (54.6%), or glance at or read automatic notifications (43.3%). Almost all students (91.5%) reported that they believed a hands-free solution is safer than holding the phone while driving, but only 67.9% reported that they usually used a hands-free device. Students in a health major and students who drive in urban areas were more likely to engage in distracted driving behaviors. Conclusions These findings suggest a need for interventions, particularly those which target adolescents in an attempt to deter these behaviors as they transition into adulthood.

scholarly journals Comprehensively addressing postpartum maternal health: a content and image review of commercially available mobile health apps

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Tucker ◽  
Alan Cuevas Villagomez ◽  
Tamar Krishnamurti
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Health ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
The United States ◽  
People Of Color ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Or Education ◽  
Google Play

Abstract Background The United States is currently facing a maternal morbidity and mortality crisis, with the highest rates of any resource-rich nation. In efforts to address this, new guidelines for postpartum care suggest that mobile health (mHealth) apps can help provide complementary clinical support for new mothers during the postpartum period. However, to date no study has evaluated the quality of existing mHealth tools targeted to this time period in terms of sufficiency of maternal health information, inclusivity of people of color, and app usability. Methods Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards were used to review the peripartum apps from the Apple and Google Play stores in either the Health/Fitness, Medical, or Education categories. Apps were evaluated for extent and quality of maternal health information and inclusivity of people of color using an a priori coding scheme. App usability was evaluated using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) score. Results Of the 301 apps from the Apple and Google Play stores, 25 met criteria for final evaluation. Of the 30 maternal health topics coded for, the median number addressed by apps was 19.5 (65%). Peripartum behaviors were more frequently addressed than peripartum outpatient care topics and peripartum acute health risks. The coverage of maternal health information and inclusivity of people of color in app imagery both correlated positively with the MARS usability score of the app. Only 8 apps (32%) portrayed greater than 24% images of people of color- the percent of non-white Americans according to 2019 census estimates. There was no correlation between MARS usability score and number of app users, as estimated by number of ratings for the app available on the app store. In addition, apps with evidence-based maternal health information had greater MARS engagement, information, and aesthetics scores. However, presence of evidence-based information did not correlate with greater numbers of app users. Conclusions Current commercially available peripartum apps range widely in quality. Overall current app offerings generally do not provide adequate maternal health information and are not optimally accessible to the target users in terms of inclusivity of women of color or app usability. Apps delivering evidence-based information and more usable design are more likely to meet these standards but are not more likely to be downloaded by users.

COVIDiots and Cogency

2021 ◽  
pp. 62-85
Author(s):  
Roy Schwartzman ◽  
Jenni M. Simon
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Heuristics And Biases ◽  
Health Campaigns ◽  
Broadcast Media ◽  
Attitudes And Behaviors ◽  
And Behaviors ◽  
Public Health Campaigns ◽  
Health Experts

The COVID-19 pandemic in the United States spawns a perplexing polemic. Intransigent coronavirus skeptics who defy public health recommendations often get cast as ideological zealots or as perniciously ignorant. Both characterizations overlook a more fundamental epistemic opposition. The authors recast the conflict between COVID-19 skeptics and public health advocates as the rhetorical incompatibility between the deliberative, scientifically grounded public health experts and the intuitive, emotion-driven mental heuristics of the non-compliant. This study examines the discourse of COVID-19 misinformation purveyors on broadcast media and online. Their main contentions rely on heuristics and biases that collectively not only undermine trust in particular medical experts, but also undercut trust in the institutions and reasoning processes of science itself. The findings suggest ways that public health campaigns can become more effective by leveraging some of the intuitive drivers of attitudes and behaviors that scientists and argumentation theorists routinely dismiss as fallacious.

scholarly journals Family physicians’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding the weight effects of added sugar

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 205031211880124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Mackey ◽  
Melissa A Plegue ◽  
Marian Deames ◽  
Matthew Kittle ◽  
Kendrin R Sonneville ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Physician ◽  
Family Physicians ◽  
The United States ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
P Value ◽  
Dietary Counseling ◽  
Added Sugar ◽  
Attitudes And Behaviors ◽  
Dietary Sugar ◽  
And Behaviors

Background and objectives: Added sugar consumption is a major risk factor for negative health outcomes and family physicians play an important role in educating patients regarding nutrition behaviors, such as consumption of added dietary sugar. The aim of this study was to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of family physicians regarding added dietary sugar. Methods: An online questionnaire was administered to family physician members of the Council of Academic Family Medicine organizations, which support teaching physicians that train family physicians throughout the United States. Survey items underwent rigorous pilot and cognitive testing prior to administration. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-square test were performed to evaluate physician’s dietary counseling for patients with overweight and obesity. Results: Among practicing family physician members (n = 1196), 72% reported providing dietary counseling to the majority (⩾50%) of their patients with overweight and obesity. Most (90%) believed that their counseling was ineffective for the majority of patients. Frequency of counseling was significantly associated with beliefs about counseling effectiveness (p-value < 0.001). Nearly all physicians (97%) advised against consuming sugary beverages, while advising patients to limit foods with added sugar was less common (82%). Discussion: Dietary counseling is often, but not always, provided to patients with overweight and obesity by family physicians in our sample, though most physicians believed their counseling is ineffective. National attention to added sugar as a risk for poor health should serve as a catalyst for renewed efforts from primary care educators and clinicians to engage in innovative practices to empower at-risk patients to improve their nutrition.

scholarly journals Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors on Utilizing Mobile Health Technology for TB in Indonesia: A Qualitative Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dewi Nur Aisyah ◽  
Riris Andono Ahmad ◽  
Wayan Tunas Artama ◽  
Wiku Adisasmito ◽  
Haniena Diva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Health Technology ◽  
Mobile Health Technology ◽  
Attitudes And Behaviors ◽  
And Behaviors

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Related to Sodium Intake and Reduction Among Adult Consumers in the United States

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deesha Patel ◽  
Mary E. Cogswell ◽  
Katherine John ◽  
Stephanie Creel ◽  
Carma Ayala
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Professional ◽  
Sodium Intake ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Professional Advice ◽  
Attitudes And Behaviors ◽  
Reduce Sodium Intake ◽  
And Behaviors ◽  
Respondent Characteristics

Purpose. To describe the prevalence and determinants of sodium-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among U.S. adults Design. A cross-sectional survey was used. Setting. The study was set in the United States in 2012. Subjects. Participants were 6122 U.S. adults. Measures. Sodium-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors were measured. Analysis. Chi-squared tests were used to determine differences in sodium-related knowledge, attitude, and behaviors by respondent characteristics; multiple logistic regression was used to examine associations between selected respondent characteristics and health professional advice, reported action, or knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (adjusted for all other respondent characteristics). Results. About three-fourths of respondents answered eating too much sodium is “somewhat” or “very” harmful to their health. Twenty-six percent reported receiving health professional advice, and 45% reported taking action to reduce their sodium intake. The prevalence of reported action was highest among adults receiving advice, those with hypertension, blacks, and those aged ≥65 years. Sixty-two percent who reported action agreed that most of their sodium comes from processed or restaurant foods. Of those reporting action, the most common tactics to reduce sodium intake were checking nutrition labels, using other spices than salt, and choosing low-sodium foods; requesting lower-sodium options when eating out was the least common tactic. Conclusion. Results suggest almost half of adults overall and the vast majority of those receiving health professional advice are taking some action to watch or reduce sodium intake. Although a substantial proportion report using recommended tactics to lower intake, many are not using the most effective tactics. In order to reach the general population, health communication messages could be simpler and focus on the most effective tactics to reduce sodium intake. Furthermore, health professionals can help reduce sodium intake by discussing the benefits of sodium reduction and tactics to do so, regardless of a hypertension diagnosis.

scholarly journals A Mobile Health Intervention for Adolescents Exposed to Secondhand Smoke: Pilot Feasibility and Efficacy Study

10.2196/18583 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (8) ◽  
pp. e18583
Author(s):  
Natalie Nardone ◽  
Jeremy Giberson ◽  
Judith J Prochaska ◽  
Shonul Jain ◽  
Neal L Benowitz
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Secondhand Smoke ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Urinary Cotinine ◽  
Mhealth Intervention ◽  
Shs Exposure

Background Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in children and adolescents has adverse health effects. For adolescents of lower socioeconomic status (SES), exposure is widespread, evidenced in the measurement of urinary cotinine, a major metabolite of nicotine. Direct intervention with exposed children has been proposed as a novel method, yet there is minimal evidence of its efficacy. Combining this approach with a mobile health (mHealth) intervention may be more time and cost-effective and feasible for adolescent populations. Objective In this pilot study, we assessed the feasibility and preliminary evidence of efficacy of a 30-day text message–based mHealth intervention targeted at reducing SHS exposure in adolescent populations of low SES. Methods For the study, 14 nonsmoking and nonvaping participants between the ages of 12-21 years exposed to SHS were enrolled. The intervention consisted of a daily text message sent to the participants over the course of a month. Text message types included facts and information about SHS, behavioral methods for SHS avoidance, or true-or-false questions. Participants were asked to respond to each message within 24 hours as confirmation of receipt. Feasibility outcomes included completion of the 30-day intervention, receiving and responding to text messages, and feedback on the messages. Efficacy outcomes included a reduction in urinary cotinine, accuracy of true-or-false responses, and participants’ perceptions of effectiveness. Results Of the 14 participants that were enrolled, 13 completed the intervention. Though not required, all participants had their own cell phones with unlimited text messaging plans. Of the total number of text messages sent to the 13 completers, 91% (372/407) of them received on-time responses. Participant feedback was generally positive, with most requesting more informational and true-or-false questions. In terms of efficacy, 54% (6/11) of participants reduced their cotinine levels (however, change for the group overall was not statistically significant (P=.33) and 45% (5/11) of participants increased their cotinine levels. Of the total number of true-or-false questions sent across all completers, 77% (56/73) were answered correctly. Participants’ ratings of message effectiveness averaged 85 on a scale of 100. Conclusions In this pilot study, the intervention was feasible as the majority of participants had access to a cell phone, completed the study, and engaged by responding to the messages. The efficacy of the study requires further replication, as only half of the participants reduced their cotinine levels. However, participants answered the majority of true-or-false questions accurately and reported that the messages were helpful.

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