141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

275531
Development of a web-based education/support program for menopausal symptom management

Monday, November 4, 2013

Wonshik Chee, PhD , School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Eun-Ok Im, PhD CNS MPH RN FAAN , Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Eunice Chee, Research Intern , College of Engineering, Univ. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Background: Asian American midlife women rarely seek help for their menopausal symptoms until the symptoms become intolerable, which frequently results in unnecessary burden to these women and subsequent disparities in menopausal symptom management. Thus, it is imperative to provide information and support for Asian American midlife women in menopausal symptom management so that they could go through menopausal transition smoothly and successfully.

Objective/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a Web-based education/support program for menopausal symptom management of Asian American midlife women based on findings from a larger study on midlife women's menopausal symptom experience.

Methods: This was an intervention development study. The information mapping approach by Bartholomew et al. was used to develop the program. Then, through two teleconferences, five experts were asked to evaluate the program. For the expert evaluation, the Cognitive Walkthrough method was used. The teleconferences were audio-recorded and transcribed, and analyzed using the content analysis by Weber. Then, as a group, the research team made decisions on the development of specific areas, and incorporated them into further development of the program.

Results: First, seven determinants were identified based on the previous study. Then, women's attitudes were selected as the focus of the program. Then, only the country of origin, the length of time in the U.S. and the immigration generation among the remaining determinants were considered in the program design. The program included three major components: interactive online message board; interactive online educational sessions; and online resources. Graphic User Interface controls were used, and the presentation styles were tailored to Asian American culture. The Ruby on Rails framework and the Xen hypervisor were used to develop the program.

Discussion/conclusions: Researchers need to make continuous efforts to develop and test Web-based education/support programs for menopausal symptom management of midlife women across the lifespan.

Learning Areas:
Communication and informatics
Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning
Public health or related education
Public health or related nursing

Learning Objectives:
Describe the development process of a Web-based education/support program for menopausal symptom management of Asian American midlife women. Identify essential components in development of a Web-based education/support program. Discuss the necessity of a Web-based education/support program for underserved populations.

Keywords: Asian Women, Internet

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have worked on the project as a research assistant and have contributed to the project from the conception of the project to the dissemination activities (e.g., literature review, algorithm development, program development, etc.).
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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