The prevalence and sociodemographic predictors of mobile health applications ownership among cancer survivors.

Abstract

e24046 Background: The transition of cancer patients from patients to survivors is challenging. Cancer survivors often experience chronic physical, social and mental health needs which remain largely unmet. Due to the growing population of cancer survivors and limited resources available to address their needs, mobile health applications (apps) have emerged to help cancer patients in assuming their new role as survivors. Here, we explored the prevalence and sociodemographic predictors of mobile health apps ownership among Cancer Survivors in the United States using a nationally representative sample. Methods: Data from cycles 1 (2017) and 2 (2018) of the 5th edition of the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 5) was reviewed. Descriptive statistics was used to evaluate the sociodemographic characteristics and the prevalence of mobile health apps ownership among cancer survivors. Univariate logistic regression models were used to explore the relationship between sociodemographic predictors and mobile health apps ownership. Results: We identified 1,097 (weighted estimate of 44,666,781) individuals who self-reported having been diagnosed with cancer in the . Of these, 57.39% were females, 79% were whites, 47.18% had 2 or more medical comorbidities, 63.7% were unemployed and about 50% were aged 65 or more. Prevalence of mobile health apps ownership was 44.82%. Among all the sociodemographic variables; educational level (p = 0.015), income (p = 0.014) and employment status (p < 0.005) were predictors of mobile health apps ownership among cancer. Conclusions: Cancer survivors are digitally connected and can be approached through mobile health apps. In our study, the prevalence of mobile health apps ownership in cancer survivors was 44.8%. Educational level, income and employment status were identified as predictors of mobile health apps ownership. Due to the growing population of cancer survivors and limited resources available to address their needs, efforts to address barriers of mobile health apps adoption and utilization should be encouraged.