Alpha 2.0
Login Register
» Articles » PMID: 39909418

Technological-Based Interventions in Cancer and Factors Associated With the Use of Mobile Digital Wellness and Health Apps Among Cancer Information Seekers: Cross-Sectional Study

Overview
Journal J Med Internet Res
Publisher JMIR Publications
Date 2025 Feb 5
PMID 39909418
Authors
Ogochukwu Juliet Ezeigwe
Kenechukwu Obumneme Samuel Nwosu
Oladipo Kunle Afolayan
Akpevwe Amanda Ojaruega
Jovita Echere
Manali Desai
Modupe Olajumoke Onigbogi
Olajumoke Ope Oladoyin
Nnenna Chioma Okoye
Pierre Fwelo
Affiliations
Soon will be listed here.
Abstract

Background: Mobile digital wellness and health apps play a significant role in optimizing health and aiding in cancer management and decision-making.

Objective: This study aims to identify the factors influencing the use of mobile health and wellness apps among cancer information seekers in the United States.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the Health Information National Trends Survey. Our analysis focused on 4770 participants who sought cancer information. We performed weighted univariate and multivariable logistic regression to determine the association between the use of health and wellness apps and socioeconomic factors, medical history and conditions, and lifestyle and behavioral factors.

Results: A total of 4770 participants who sought cancer information were included in the final analysis. Of these, 80.9% (n=2705) were health and wellness app users, while 19.1% (n=793) were nonusers. In the final adjusted model, participants with household incomes ≥US $50,000 had 49% higher adjusted odds of using these apps than those with incomes <US $50,000 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.49, 95% CI 1.02-2.14). College graduates and those with higher educational levels were avid users compared to those with a high school diploma or less (aOR=1.87, 95% CI 1.30-2.67). Internet users had over 3 times the odds of using these apps compared to nonusers (aOR=3.28, 95% CI 1.70-6.33). Participants within the age group 18-34 years were 3.70 times more likely (aOR=3.70, 95% CI 1.90-7.23) to use a health and wellness app compared to participants within the age group of 75 years and older.

Conclusions: Age, education, household income, and use of the internet are the major determinants of the adoption of digital health and wellness apps among seekers of cancer information. Hence, public health programs could be directed toward addressing these factors to improve cancer diagnosis, treatment, and management using these apps.

References
1.
Morawski K, Ghazinouri R, Krumme A, Lauffenburger J, Lu Z, Durfee E . Association of a Smartphone Application With Medication Adherence and Blood Pressure Control: The MedISAFE-BP Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2018; 178(6):802-809. PMC: 6145760. DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.0447. View
2.
Lustria M, Smith S, Hinnant C . Exploring digital divides: an examination of eHealth technology use in health information seeking, communication and personal health information management in the USA. Health Informatics J. 2011; 17(3):224-43. DOI: 10.1177/1460458211414843. View
3.
Kampmeijer R, Pavlova M, Tambor M, Golinowska S, Groot W . The use of e-health and m-health tools in health promotion and primary prevention among older adults: a systematic literature review. BMC Health Serv Res. 2016; 16 Suppl 5:290. PMC: 5016733. DOI: 10.1186/s12913-016-1522-3. View
4.
Van Ameringen M, Turna J, Khalesi Z, Pullia K, Patterson B . There is an app for that! The current state of mobile applications (apps) for DSM-5 obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety and mood disorders. Depress Anxiety. 2017; 34(6):526-539. DOI: 10.1002/da.22657. View
5.
Makowsky M, Jones C, Davachi S . Prevalence and Predictors of Health-Related Internet and Digital Device Use in a Sample of South Asian Adults in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: Results From a 2014 Community-Based Survey. JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2021; 7(1):e20671. PMC: 7822722. DOI: 10.2196/20671. View