The effects of mobile-based patient education for obese individual on knowledge levels and health behavior

Individuals with abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that poses a risk to health and a body mass index (BMI) above 30 are considered "obese." Obesity which is recognized as a global disease by the World Health Organization (WHO) as of 2021, is becoming more prevalent in our country and other countries around the world, killing millions of people each year. Obesity affects the individual physiologically, psychologically, socially, and environmentally. Thus, the quality of life of obese individuals is negatively affected, and their life span is shortened. Good nursing care and patient education are important in increasing the knowledge level of obese individuals, gaining healthy behaviors in order to minimize health problems, and thus maintaining their quality of life in the best way. Today's technological changes and developments have brought the use of different technologies in patient education to the forefront. One of the most important of these technologies is mobile technology. With this study, it was aimed to examine the effect of mobile-based patient education for obese individuals on the knowledge levels and health behaviors of patients. As part of the research, mobile patient education content specifically designed for obese individuals was developed, and the application was designed accordingly. Subsequently, the knowledge levels and health behaviors of obese individuals regarding obesity were evaluated, and follow-ups were conducted at the 1st and 3rd months. The study employed a randomized controlled experimental research design. The research was conducted at the Diabetes and Obesity Center of a Training and Research Hospital affiliated with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Türkiye. A total of 60 obese individuals who applied to the center were selected and randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 30) or the control group (n = 30). In the study, the knowledge levels and health behaviors of participants who received either mobile-based or face-to-face education were compared to evaluate the effectiveness of the mobile application. The mobile-based patient education software for obese individuals was developed using the "ADDIE" instructional design model. The research was carried out in five phases: In the first phase; the Mobile-Based Obesity Education was developed. Based on the principles of adult education, content was created to address cognitive, affective, and psychomotor learning objectives. Engaging texts, animations, videos, and visuals were used. The mobile application software was developed according to the design plan, taking into account relevant literature, expert opinions, and patient feedback. This stage was completed in collaboration with a mobile application designer. A pilot study of the Mobile-Based Obesity Education was conducted with 5 participants after necessary revisions were made based on feedback. In the second phase; all participants completed the Information Form and the Mobile Learning Readiness Scale, and the intervention and control groups were assigned accordingly. In the third phase; prior to the educational intervention, both groups were administered the Obesity Knowledge Test and the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale. Clinical and laboratory findings were recorded on the Patient Follow-up Form. In the fourth phase; the mobile-based patient education application was installed on the phones of participants in the intervention group, and individual instructions were provided on how to use the application. Participants in the control group received the same educational content through face-to-face sessions conducted by the researcher. Upon completion of the education, the Obesity Knowledge Test was administered again. In the fifth phase; three months after the educational intervention, both groups completed the Obesity Knowledge Test, the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale, and the Patient Follow-up Form. Additionally, the Mobile Learning Application Evaluation Scale was administered only to the intervention group. All data collected throughout the study phases were analyzed. As a result, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups before and after the face-to-face and mobile education interventions. The knowledge levels and health behaviors of individuals in the intervention and control groups were found to be similar. It is recommended that a mobile patient education application be developed and used in institutions providing health services and integrated with e-health services.