Preference and Perception of Mobile Health Applications Educating African American Women on Sexual and Reproductive Health

Abstract

The Preference and Perception of Mobile Health Applications Educating African American Women on Sexual and Reproductive Health First author: Allison Griswold Co-author: Awatef Ben Ramadan Abstract Background: Previous studies have found that African American women are affected by sexually transmitted diseases and reproductive health issues at a higher rate than any other race. Study Aims: To increase awareness of cultural barriers, and to explore the need for medically accurate sexual and reproductive health information through mobile health applications. Methods: The Institutional Review Board approved an anonymous online survey using convenience sampling of African American women between the ages of 18-50. Respondents answered questions regarding past sexual education course experience, use of women�s health applications, interest in health messages, the importance of health information, personal knowledge satisfaction, and preference for receiving information. The study results presented as graphs, which were generated through excel spreadsheets. Results: Of the 159 respondents that completed the survey, 38.5% currently use any form of women�s mobile health application very frequently. However, 65.8% are interested in receiving information on sexual and reproductive health through women�s health applications. Of the 159 respondents, only 27% were very satisfied with their current sexual and reproductive health knowledge. Conclusion: This study proves that African American women are open to learning and gaining sexual and reproductive facts through mobile applications. Keywords: African American women, period trackers, mobile health applications, sexual health, reproductive health