Methods: A community-based participatory research method was utilized. Two focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted in Malaysian sign language (BIM) with a total of 10 DHH individuals. Respondents were recruited using purposive sampling. Video-recordings were transcribed and analyzed using a thematic approach.
Results: Two themes emerged: (I) challenges and scepticism of the healthcare system; and (II) features of the mHealth app. Respondents expressed fears and concerns about accessing healthcare services, and stressed on the need for sign language interpreters. There were also concerns about data privacy and security. With regard to app features, the majority preferred videos instead of text to convey information about their disease and medication, due to their lower literacy levels.
Conclusions: For an mHealth app to be effective, app designers must ensure the app is individualised according to the cultural and linguistic diversity of the target audience. Pharmacists should also educate patients on the potential benefits of the app in terms of assisting patients with their medicine-taking.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among residents residing around Klang and Petaling district in Selangor, Malaysia from November 2015 to January 2017. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the predictors of mobile device and health apps usage and examine the association between apps use and intention to change behavior with sociodemographic predictors.
Results: A total of 4,504 respondents participated in our survey. Most respondents reported that they owned a mobile or smartphone, which was commonly used to make calls and deliver text messages. However, only one-fifth (20.4%) of respondents were familiar with the term m-health or had used a health related application, with millennial (individuals aged ≤39 years) generally more aware of the term m-health and were more likely to use m-health as a tool for health management. The most commonly used application were for promoting adherence as well as self-efficacy (e.g., lifestyle advice). Other factors associated with higher levels of m-health use were individuals with higher level of education and individuals taking multiple medications.
Conclusions: While most Malaysian were not familiar with m-health, they reported to have a positive attitude towards m-health. Malaysians were willing to use m-health to manage their health conditions but expressed that they required further education and training. As m-health is still at its infancy in Malaysia, there is potential to further develop m-health as an innovative solution to manage the population health.