Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 23, 2025
06:26
Author Spotlight: Exploring Breathing Techniques and Digital Solutions for Enhancing Running Performance
Published on: September 27, 2024
813
Communicating radon risk via a smartphone app: a pilot intervention study
Soojung Kim1, Michael S Brewster2, Gary G Schwartz3
1Department of Communication, University of North Dakota College of Arts & Sciences, Grand Forks, ND, USA.
BMC Public Health
|April 24, 2020
Summary
A new smartphone app effectively increased knowledge and confidence regarding radon testing among college students. While 24% ordered a test kit, only 9% completed the testing process, indicating a need for further intervention.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Public Health Communication
- Mobile Health Technology
Background:
- Residential radon is a significant, preventable cause of lung cancer.
- Communicating invisible environmental hazards like radon and motivating home testing remains a challenge due to long latency periods for health effects.
- Novel communication strategies are essential for effective radon risk mitigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel smartphone application designed to educate users about radon.
- To assess the app's impact on radon knowledge, attitudes, and testing behaviors.
- To identify factors influencing the decision to order radon test kits.
Main Methods:
- A radon education smartphone application was created and implemented.
- Radon knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors were measured before and after app usage in 97 undergraduate students.
- Statistical analyses examined changes in knowledge, self-efficacy, and response efficacy, and their correlation with ordering test kits.
Main Results:
- App usage significantly improved radon knowledge, self-efficacy, and response efficacy among participants (p < .001).
- Twenty-four percent of participants ordered a free radon test kit via the app.
- Self-efficacy and response efficacy positively predicted the ordering of test kits (p < .05 and p < .01, respectively).
- The overall radon test completion rate was 9%.
Conclusions:
- Smartphone applications represent a viable platform for disseminating radon risk information and encouraging radon testing.
- While the app shows promise in increasing knowledge and intent, further interventions are needed to improve actual test kit utilization and completion rates.
