The impact of online self-evaluation on self-awareness and lifestyle habits.
Estudo publicado no Journal of Health Informatics sobre o efeito de uma autoavaliação on-line na percepção que o usuário tem da própria saúde e nos seus hábitos de vida.
Método. Cento e noventa e cinco usuários responderam ao mesmo questionário de risco cardiovascular em pelo menos dois momentos distintos, permitindo comparar a primeira e a última resposta.
Resultados. Houve mudanças significativas em vários fatores de risco entre as duas respostas. O tabagismo melhorou em 22,8% (p = 0,023) e a atividade física aumentou em 29,7%, ambos estatisticamente significativos. O estresse melhorou em 34,4% dos usuários e piorou em 23,1%; a obesidade melhorou em 27,3% e piorou em 20,1%; a hipertensão melhorou em 13,3% e piorou em 16,4%. A idade, como esperado, piorou em 9,2% (p = 0,012).
O trabalho sugere que o simples ato de se autoavaliar on-line pode funcionar como alerta e induzir mudança de hábitos.
Abstract
Objective. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of online self-evaluation on self-awareness, alert the user about his or her risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
Methods. 195 users answered the same questionnaire in at least 2 different moments. Between the first and last time the user answered the questionnaire, there were significant changes in some of the risk factors.
Results. Personal history of cardiovascular disease improved in 5.6%(P=0.97, K=0.29). Age has worsened in 9.2% which was statistically significant with almost perfect agreement (P=0.012, K=0.83). Hypertension improved in 13.3% and worsened in 16.4% of users (P=0.73, K=0.43). Obesity improved in 27.3% and worsened in 20.1% (P=0.34, K=0.45). Stress showed a statistically significant improvement of 34.4% among users and a worsening in 23.1% (P=0.20, K=0.23). Smoking improved in 22.8%(P=0.023). Physical activity increased in 29.7%. This result was statistically significant and had a fair association (P=0.0076, K=0.23). Eating habits improved in 35.9% and worsened in 35.4% (P=0.92; K=0.16).
Conclusion. Virtual Checkup is a low cost evaluation method with a high impact that reaches a broad range of people. Therefore, even though the questionnaire showed small improvements in health indicators, it should be used widely.
Original abstract as published in Journal of Health Informatics.