Mobile Health Application Applying the Health Belief Model for Breast Cancer Awareness: What Is Missing?
- Author:
Arryana Nasution
1
;
Azlina Yusuf
1
;
Yulita Hanum P Iskandar
2
;
Lean Keng Soon
3
;
Imi Sairi Ab Hadi
4
Author Information
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords: Breast cancer, Breast examination awareness, Breast health, Health belief model, Mobile application
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2021;17(No.4):384-398
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
- Abstract: Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancer incidents among women and is estimated at around 24.2% worldwide and 32.1% in Malaysia. Accessibility to current breast promotion is limited to those who seek the information, suggesting consideration of an alternative approach using a mobile app. This study aimed to identify existing breast awareness mobile apps based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) components with a descriptive observation review. Fifty-two apps fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were reviewed. Eligible apps (N=52) which are standalone (n=41) and non-standalone (n=11). The categories of the eligible apps are health & fitness (n=31), lifestyle (n=6), medical (n=11), entertainment (n=2), book & reference (n=1), education (n=3). The apps focused on perceived susceptibility (n=33/52, 63.5%), perceived severity (n=30/52, 57.7%), perceived threat (n=48/52, 92.3%), perceived benefit (n=46/52, 88.5%), perceived barriers (n=23/52, 44.2%), self-efficacy (n=25/52, 48.1%) and cues to action (n=27/52, 51.9%). Most of the apps focused on perceived threat and benefit but lacking on a perceived barrier. This review could provide information to develop appropriately tailored content supported by health theories to promote breast cancer awareness.
- Full text:11.2021my1160.pdf
