Abstract:

Abstract This study aims to analyze the possibility of incorporating mobile phones in health education strategies related to breast cancer on women cared by the Family Health Strategy (Estratégia de Saúde da Família) teams. This is a descriptive study, carried out with women aged 40 years or more, who lived in the city of Maringá, in the state of Paraná, in 2016. We collected data during home visits through the application of a semi-structured questionnaire, composed of questions related to the outline of their use of mobile phones and internet, as well as their access to information on health. We surveyed a total of 259 women, of whom 95.75% reported using mobile phones; 67.18% have used mobiles for more than three years; 69.11% use mobile to make phone calls and 28.96% use mobiles for internet access. In regards to internet use, 45.17% said they used paid internet services, 33.59% said they used the internet for research purposes, 31.27 use the internet to access social media, and 8.11% used the internet to access governmental websites. In regards to health information, 50.19% prefer to use pamphlets; 40.93% use mobile phones and 25.48 prefer lectures. The incorporation of mobile phones in health education strategies aimed at breast cancer is feasible, however, it is necessary to keep in mind the limitations on usability and access to the internet.

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