Background Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the female population. Health education interventions based on the use of mobile technologies enable the development of health self-care skills and have emerged as alternative strategies for the control of breast cancer. In previous studies, WhatsApp has stood out as a useful tool in health education strategies; however, it has not yet been applied for breast cancer education. Objective This study aimed to analyze the potential of WhatsApp as a health education tool used to improve women's knowledge on the risk reduction of breast cancer. It also aimed to understand how women feel sensitized within the WhatsApp group throughout the intervention and how they incorporate information posted to improve knowledge about early detection and risk reduction methods. Methods The study involved a pre-post health educational intervention with 35 women (aged 45-69 years) included in a WhatsApp group to share information (audio, video, text, and images) over 3 weeks on the early detection and risk reduction of breast cancer. Data were collected through questionnaires on topics related to risk reduction, as well as qualitative content analysis of group interactions. Effectiveness and feasibility were analyzed through conversations and the comparison of the scores obtained in the questionnaires before and after the intervention. Results A total of 293 messages were exchanged (moderator 120 and users 173). The average scores of the participants were 11.21 and 13.68 points before and after the educational intervention, respectively, with sufficient sample evidence that the difference was significant (P<.001). The intervention enabled women to improve their knowledge on all topics addressed, especially “myths and truths,” “incidence,” “clinical manifestations,” and “protective factors.” Some themes emerged from the interactions in the group, including group dynamics, general doubts, personal narratives, religious messages, daily news, and events. Conclusions The use of groups for women in WhatsApp for health education purposes seems to be a viable alternative in strategies on breast cancer control, especially as it provides a space for the exchange of experiences and disinhibition. However, the need for a moderator to answer the questions and the constant distractions by members of the group represent important limitations that should be considered when improving this strategy.

De las 62 mujeres entrevistadas, 93,6% sufrieron violencia, y, de estas, 100% afirmaron haber sufrido violencia psicológica y 19%, violencia física. El principal motivo para las agresiones fueron celos que el compañero demuestra por la mujer. La violencia puede ser prevenida; para eso es necesario implementar Políticas Públicas capaces de combatir su causas, y que la sociedad y los servicios de salud asuman también esta responsabilidad.

ABSTRACT:Objective: To analyze the prevalence of medical consultations in the last three months among elderly adults and associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional, population-based study was carried out with 1,705 elderly adults (60+ years of age) in the urban region of Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, in 2009 and 2010. The sampling selection was performed in two stages. The sample was complex, with census tracts as primary and households as secondary sampling units. For association analysis, Poisson regression was performed using predisposing factors, enabling factors and need as independent variables, according to Andersen's theoretical model. Results: The response rate was 89.2%. The prevalence of medical appointments by elderly adults was 70.4% (95%CI = 67.5 -73.4). Factors associated with higher prevalence of medical consultations in the crude analysis were female gender, accumulation of chronic diseases, negative self-perception of health, and report of chronic pain. The multivariate analysis showed that having at least one chronic disease and negative self-perception of health was positively associated with the outcome. Conclusion: Only variables from the need dimension were associated with medical consultations, indicating an equal use of this service.

BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the female population. Health education interventions based on the use of mobile technologies enable the development of health self-care skills and have emerged as alternative strategies for the control of breast cancer. In previous studies, WhatsApp has stood out as a useful tool in health education strategies; however, it has not yet been applied for breast cancer education. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to analyze the potential of WhatsApp as a health education tool used to improve women's knowledge on the risk reduction of breast cancer. It also aimed to understand how women feel sensitized within the WhatsApp group throughout the intervention and how they incorporate information posted to improve knowledge about early detection and risk reduction methods. METHODS The study involved a pre-post health educational intervention with 35 women (aged 45-69 years) included in a WhatsApp group to share information (audio, video, text, and images) over 3 weeks on the early detection and risk reduction of breast cancer. Data were collected through questionnaires on topics related to risk reduction, as well as qualitative content analysis of group interactions. Effectiveness and feasibility were analyzed through conversations and the comparison of the scores obtained in the questionnaires before and after the intervention. RESULTS A total of 293 messages were exchanged (moderator 120 and users 173). The average scores of the participants were 11.21 and 13.68 points before and after the educational intervention, respectively, with sufficient sample evidence that the difference was significant (<i>P</i>&lt;.001). The intervention enabled women to improve their knowledge on all topics addressed, especially “myths and truths,” “incidence,” “clinical manifestations,” and “protective factors.” Some themes emerged from the interactions in the group, including group dynamics, general doubts, personal narratives, religious messages, daily news, and events. CONCLUSIONS The use of groups for women in WhatsApp for health education purposes seems to be a viable alternative in strategies on breast cancer control, especially as it provides a space for the exchange of experiences and disinhibition. However, the need for a moderator to answer the questions and the constant distractions by members of the group represent important limitations that should be considered when improving this strategy.