Purpose
It is essential to investigate the users’ needs in developing user-centered, family-based applications (apps) for managing childhood obesity.
Methods
This study conducted focus group interviews with ten parents, ten children, and four app developers to investigate the need to develop a family-based mobile app for childhood obesity. The interview period was from July 17 to August 30, 2023. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results
The results highlighted 31 key themes critical to family-based app development, including the need for comprehensive content promoting healthy lifestyle habits, tailored expert support, and motivational factors for app engagement, which were categorized as intrinsic, extrinsic, and social motivations and technological features. Participants also highlighted potential challenges, such as app usability issues and the need for a user-friendly interface. The pivotal role of parents in guiding and supporting their children’s health behaviors was emphasized, particularly in creating a supportive environment that encourages sustained engagement with the app.
Conclusion
These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the needs and preferences of parents, children, and app developers in managing childhood obesity. Emphasis on integrating healthy lifestyle content, providing expert support, and incorporating motivational strategies is crucial for the app’s success. Additionally, addressing potential difficulties and recognizing the pivotal role of parents are essential considerations. These insights will inform the design and development of a user-centered mobile app that supports families in managing childhood obesity.

Purpose
This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility, preliminary efficacy, and effects of a mobile app healthcare coaching program developed based on self-regulation theory among youths with type 1 diabetes.
Methods
A mixed-method design was utilized. Participants were randomly assigned into intervention (n=23, 12-week coaching program) or control groups (n=16, usual care). Pre- and post-intervention assessments included self-efficacy, diabetes management behavior, and health outcomes (quality of life, depression, and HbA1c). Quantitative data were analyzed with SPSS/WIN ver. 26.0. The narrative information from the participants in the healthcare coaching program underwent content analyzed.
Results
The intervention group had significantly lower depression scores (t=2.57, p=.014) than the control group. No significant differences were observed in self-efficacy, diabetes management behavior, and health outcomes between the two groups. The average frequency of health behavior monitoring per week among the participants was 1.86±1.60. The qualitative findings indicated that participants perceived improved diabetes self-management with the intervention; however, challenges during vacations, dietary control difficulties, and a lack of disease awareness were identified.
Conclusion
The healthcare coaching program improved psychological aspects for youth with type 1 diabetes. Further research is needed to develop and implement mobile app interventions aimed at enhancing compliance with diabetes management in pediatric and adolescent populations.

Citations

• Effectiveness of peer-based interventions among adolescents with type 1 diabetes: A systematic review
  Hilda N. Kumoji Ayamsegna, Jill M.G. Bally, Shelley Spurr, Shelley Peacock
  Journal of Pediatric Nursing.2026; 86: 90.     CrossRef

Purpose
This study aimed to develop and evaluate a mobile application focusing on developmental support care for infants born prematurely.
Methods
An application was developed using the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation model. In the analysis phase, previous research was evaluated through big data text-mining and a literature review. In the design phase, the preliminary content of the application was designed, and the content validity and comprehension were verified. A hybrid application was developed and used by eight experts and ten users, who evaluated the layout of the mobile application and their satisfaction with it.
Results
The content of the designed application comprised a diary, customized information, developmental play, and community. The mean scores for layout were 3.73±0.47 and 3.43±0.68 out of 4 points among the experts and users, respectively. Users’ mean satisfaction score was 3.70±0.70 out of 5 points.
Conclusion
The information provided by the mobile application was evaluated as consistent and systematic. The application was also found to be satisfactory by infants’ parents. The mobile application developed through this study is expected to be effective in supporting the development of children born prematurely.

Citations

• A Mobile Health App (mHealth)-Based Post-NICU Discharge Intervention for Parents of Preterm Infants
  Han Na Lee, So Jin Lee, Yun Kyeong Lee, Haeryun Cho
  Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Perfil da produção científica sobre construção, validação e aplicação de tecnologias em enfermagem: estudo bibliométrico
  Fernando Conceição de Lima, Taís dos Passos Sagica, João Lucas Moraes Souza, Marta Lenise do Prado, Mary Elizabeth de Santana, Ivonete Vieira Pereira Peixoto, Rubenilson Caldas Valois
  Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Profile of scientific production on nursing technology construction, validity and application: a bibliometric study
  Fernando Conceição de Lima, Taís dos Passos Sagica, João Lucas Moraes Souza, Marta Lenise do Prado, Mary Elizabeth de Santana, Ivonete Vieira Pereira Peixoto, Rubenilson Caldas Valois
  Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Effectiveness of a Mobile App (KhunLook) Versus the Maternal and Child Health Handbook on Thai Parents’ Health Literacy, Accuracy of Health Assessments, and Convenience of Use: Randomized Controlled Trial
  Rosawan Areemit, Suchaorn Saengnipanthkul, Sumitr Sutra, Pagakrong Lumbiganon, Phenphitcha Pornprasitsakul, Pongsatorn Paopongsawan, Kunwadee Sripanidkulchai
  Journal of Medical Internet Research.2023; 25: e43196.     CrossRef
• Nurses’ Roles in mHealth App Development: Scoping Review
  Caitlin J Bakker, Tami H Wyatt, Melissa CS Breth, Grace Gao, Lisa M Janeway, Mikyoung A Lee, Christie L Martin, Victoria L Tiase
  JMIR Nursing.2023; 6: e46058.     CrossRef

Purpose
This study was to evaluate the quality of online health information related to infants and preschoolers accessible through mobile applications and websites.
Methods
Using combinations of the terms ‘infant’, ‘preschooler’, and ‘health’ as the main keyword or categories, the researchers searched relevant mobile applications and websites in Korean application markets and popular search engines. Twelve mobile application and 14 websites were finally selected according to our inclusion criteria and evaluated using DISCERN instrument.
Results
The overall quality score of online health information available through mobile applications was 2.00 of 5 points, the reliability score was 2.15, and the quality score was 1.76. The overall quality score of online health information available through websites was 2.29, the reliability score was 2.40, and the quality score was 1.82.
Conclusion
The quality of online health information related to young children was found to be low and to have potentially significant drawbacks according to DISCERN criteria. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a system to evaluate and regulate the quality of online health information. Additionally, factors that readers can use to judge the quality of health information, such as references and the benefit versus risks of the information, should be provided.

Citations

• Correlation between oral health knowledge, demand for remote education tools, and self-efficacy among parents of children and adolescents
  Min-Ji Park, Herry Novrinda, Jae-Young Lee
  Journal of Korean Society of Dental Hygiene.2025; 25(1): 69.     CrossRef
• The Impact of Mothers’ Smartphone Use, eHealth Literacy, Maternal Role Performance Confidence, and Online Social Support on Health Promotion Behavior for Infants and Toddlers
  Se-Young JUNG, So Yeon PARK
  Korean Journal of Health Promotion.2024; 24(3): 134.     CrossRef
• Caregivers of children feel confident about using the Internet for health information
  Emma Delemere, Rebecca Maguire
  Health Information & Libraries Journal.2023; 40(1): 54.     CrossRef
• Effects of e-Health Literacy, Parenting Stress, and Maternal Role Confidence on Children’s Health-Promoting Behaviors in Mothers of Infants and Toddlers
  So-Hee Park, Jeung-Im Kim
  Journal of The Korean Society of Maternal and Chil.2023; 27(2): 92.     CrossRef
• Interactivity, Quality, and Content of Websites Promoting Health Behaviors During Infancy: 6-Year Update of the Systematic Assessment
  Danielle Jawad, Heilok Cheng, Li Ming Wen, Chris Rissel, Louise Baur, Seema Mihrshahi, Sarah Taki
  Journal of Medical Internet Research.2022; 24(10): e38641.     CrossRef
• Needs for Post-hospital Education among Parents of Infants and Toddlers with Congenital Heart Disease
  Bo Ryeong Lee, Hyun Young Koo
  Child Health Nursing Research.2020; 26(1): 107.     CrossRef
• Knowledge of Diaper Dermatitis and Diaper Hygiene Practices among Mothers of Diaper-wearing Children
  Jin Sun Kim, Yong Sun Jeong, Eun Jin Jeong
  Child Health Nursing Research.2019; 25(2): 112.     CrossRef

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to develop a sexual abuse prevention education program for elementary school students.
Methods
Orem’s Self-Care Theory (1995) and Seels & Richey’s ADDIE model (1994) for developing learning materials were applied to develop this program.
Results
The development progress of the program consisted of 5 distinct phases: analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. The contents was classified into 6 categories: the definition of sexual abuse, how to deal with sexual abuse, the situational reaction, areas with a high risk for sexual abuse, related organizations, and a wrap-up quiz. The app was easily accessible for elementary school students.
Conclusion
A sexual abuse prevention program using a hybrid app may be an effective way to reach elementary students, and further research for children of various ages is required.

Citations

• Effectiveness of the child sexual abuse prevention program
  Yeon Kyu Lee, Gaeun Kim
  Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion.2025; 42(2): 25.     CrossRef
• A study on the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the parenting outcome expectancy scale for parents of elementary school students
  Yoonjung Kim, Jungmin Lee, Ratchneewan Ross
  Frontiers in Psychology.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Development of a mobile application focusing on developmental support care for Korean infants born prematurely: a methodological study
  Ji Hyeon Park, Haeryun Cho
  Child Health Nursing Research.2022; 28(2): 112.     CrossRef
• Effects of Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Education Program Using Hybrid Application (CSAPE-H) on Fifth-Grade Students in South Korea
  So Ra Kang, Shin-Jeong Kim, Kyung-Ah Kang
  The Journal of School Nursing.2022; 38(4): 368.     CrossRef
• Moving school-based CSA prevention education online: Advantages and challenges of the “new normal”
  Melissa A. Bright, Diana Ortega, David Finkelhor, Kerryann Walsh
  Child Abuse & Neglect.2022; 132: 105807.     CrossRef
• Analysis for internet health counseling about precocious puberty using text mining and topic modeling
  Susan Park, Young-Kyoon Suh, Jaesung Kim, Jin-Won Kwon
  Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion.2020; 37(3): 71.     CrossRef
• An Integrative Literature Review on Sexual Abuse Prevention Education Programs for Elementary School Students in South Korea
  Hyewon Shin, Jung Min Lee, Kyung-Ah Kang, Shin-Jeong Kim
  Child Health Nursing Research.2019; 25(4): 435.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of the study was to develop and evaluate the effect of a metabolic syndrome prevention program using mobile application for university students.
METHODS
A pretest-posttest design with content analysis as a triangulation method was used. The participants were 49 university students. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi2-test, t-test and Fisher's exact test with the SPSS WIN 18.0 program.
RESULTS
The application consisted of six main menus as follows: 'basic education', 'nutrition education', 'exercise education', 'meal diary', 'exercise checkup', and 'tips'. The experimental group had higher recognition about metabolic syndrome prevention than the control group (F=7.919, p=.007). Understanding of metabolic syndrome among participants was mostly related to chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes in relation to the importance of eating habits and exercising.
CONCLUSION
The results indicate that metabolic syndrome prevention education using mobile application is necessary and would be useful for university students.

Citations

• International Students’ Use of a University Health Center
  Jin Hee An, Youngmee Ahn, Seong-Ill Woo, Mi Roung Song, Min Sohn
  Child Health Nursing Research.2016; 22(1): 29.     CrossRef