Investigation of Young People’s Use of Mobile Health Apps, and Their Physical Activity and Health Perception Levels

Abstract

Objectives: The interest in mobile health apps is increasing day by day. This study aimed to examine young people’s preferences for mobile health apps, their physical activity levels, and health perceptions. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted with 283 students from two vocational schools of higher education. Participants were asked to complete the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form and the Perception of Health Scale, as well as questions about their mobile health application preferences. The data were evaluated at p<0.05 significance level. Results: The study was conducted with 283 participants with a mean age of 20.6±2 years. The number of participants using health-related apps on their smartphones was 179 (63.3%). Of the 104 participants who did not use mobile health apps, 71.1% reported that they did not prefer them because they thought they would not use them regularly. 11 participants did not know about mobile apps. 41.9% had been using mobile health apps for about one year, and the most used app was pedometers (n=147). Both health perceptions and physical activity scores of individuals who used mobile health apps were higher than those who did not (respectively; p=0.003, p<0.001), and the health perception of physically active individuals was higher than the others (p=0.044). Conclusion: Currently, the use of mobile health applications is associated with both health perception and physical activity. However, constant use of the apps cannot be ensured. Therefore, it is important to provide the necessary promotion and motivation to people.

Keywords

• Promotion of health
• Health literacy
• Mobile applications
• Physical activity

Genç Bireylerin Mobil Sağlık Uygulamaları Kullanımı, Fiziksel Aktivite ve Sağlık Algısı Düzeyinin İncelenmesi

Abstract

Amaç: Mobil sağlık uygulamalarına olan ilgi günümüzde giderek artmaktadır. Bu çalışmada genç bireylerin mobil sağlık uygulamalarına yönelik tercihlerini, fiziksel aktivite düzeyini ve sağlık algısını incelemek amaçlandı. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışma iki ayrı meslek yüksekokulunda öğrenim gören 283 öğrenci ile gerçekleştirildi. Katılımcıların mobil sağlık uygulama tercihlerine yönelik soruların yanı sıra Uluslararası Fiziksel Aktivite Anketi Kısa Formu ve Sağlık Algısı Ölçeği’ni yapmaları istendi. Veriler p<0,05 anlamlılık düzeyinde değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Çalışma yaş ortalaması 20,6±2,01 yıl olan 283 katılımcı ile yürütüldü. Akıllı telefonunda sağlıkla ilgili uygulamaları kullanan katılımcıların sayısı 179’du (%63,3). Mobil sağlık uygulamalarını kullanmayan 104 kişinin %71,1’i uygulamaları düzenli kullanmayacağını düşündüğü için tercih etmediğini belirtti. On bir kişi ise mobil uygulamaların varlığından haberdar olmadığını ifade etti. Katılımcıların %41,9’u yaklaşık bir yıldır mobil sağlık uygulamalarını kullandığını belirtirken, en çok kullanılan uygulama adımsayarlar oldu (n=147). Mobil sağlık uygulamalarını kullanan bireylerin hem sağlık algısı hem de fiziksel aktivite puanları uygulamaları kullanmayanlardan yüksek bulundu (sırasıyla; p=0,003, p<0,001). Ayrıca fiziksel olarak aktif olan bireylerin sağlık algısı diğerlerinden yüksekti (p=0,044). Sonuç: Halihazırda mobil sağlık uygulamalarının kullanımı hem sağlık algısı hem de fiziksel aktivite ile ilişkilidir. Ancak uygulamaların kullanımının sürekliliğine dair önemli eksiklikler vardır. Bu nedenle gerekli teşviğin ve motivasyonun sağlanması önem arz etmektedir.

Keywords

• Sağlığın geliştirilmesi
• sağlık okuryazarlığı
• mobil uygulamalar
• fiziksel aktivite

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