Mobile Application Intervention for Prevention of Multiple Risk Behaviors among Thai Female Adolescents: A Quasi-experimental Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Boromarajonani College of Nursing, Bangkok, Thailand;

2 Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Thailand;

3 Faculty of Education, Division of Educational Communications and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand

4 Bangpleeratbamrung School, Thailand

Abstract

Background: Multiple risk behaviors (MRB) among adolescents are correlated with adverse health outcomes. We have devised and examined the effect of a mobile application, STOP Multiple Risk Behaviors (“STOPMRB”), on perceived behavioral control and intention to avoid multiple risk behaviors (MRB) among Thai female adolescents.
Methods: We conducted a two-group pre-post-test, quasi-experimental study involving Thai female adolescents aged 13–15 (N=60) in Samut Prakarn province, Thailand, between March and May 2021. Participants selected for the intervention group (N=30) were provided with access to a mobile application in conjunction with text messages for 8 weeks, whereas the control group (N=30) received standard education curricula. The primary outcome was self-reported risk behaviors. Secondary outcomes encompassed perceived behavioral control and intention to avoid MRB. Outcomes were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA, Bonferrini test, Fisher’s Exact test, and independent t-test through the software IBM SPSS version 28. A significance level was established at a P-value of less than 0.05.
Results: Following a two-month intervention, no MRB was reported among the intervention group, whereas the control group showed 6.7% (P=0.492). The intervention group demonstrated significantly higher mean scores of perceived behavioral control (P<0.001) and the intention to avoid (P<0.001) in comparison to the control group at weeks 4 and 8.
Conclusion: Mobile application, according to STOPMRB, could enhance perceived behavioral control and intention to evade MRB and less self-reported frequency of MRB.

Keywords

References

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International Journal of Community Based Nursing & Midwifery
Volume 13, Issue 3
July 2025
Pages 180-190

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