Identification of knowledge, behavior and health application needs for cardiovascular disease prevention in young women: An interview and focus group discussion study in Makassar city

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the level of knowledge, behavior, and needs of young women related to health applications in CVD prevention in Makassar City. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative method was used with a phenomenological design. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) of young women aged 17 to 25 years who live in Makassar City. Subsequently, data analysis was carried out using NVivo 12 Plus software. RESULTS: The results showed that most informants had a basic understanding of CVD risk factors, such as genetic history, lifestyle, and hormonal conditions. However, the majority still engaged in risky behavior, including a lack of physical activity and unhealthy diets. An information gap was also found regarding CVD, with the majority of informants not having received adequate education through conventional or digital media. Informants proposed key features in the CVD prevention applications, such as nutritional calculations, physical activity monitoring, disease risk detection, and the provision of interactive educational materials. CONCLUSION: This study identified gaps in education and preventive behavior among young women. The results showed need for a more comprehensive policy, including a digital technology-based method as a medium for health education. In line with the analysis, integration of digital technology-based health education was proven effective strategy in encouraging behavioral change and improving cardiovascular health among young women.