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Zhang M, Zhang H, Zhu R, Yang H, Chen M, Wang X, Li Z, Xiong Z. Factors affecting the willingness of patients with type 2 diabetes to use digital disease management applications: a cross-sectional study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1259158. [PMID: 37937072 PMCID: PMC10626484 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1259158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The global burden of type 2 diabetes has significantly increased, leading to a considerable impact on healthcare systems worldwide. While the advent of mobile healthcare has provided some relief by addressing the shortage of certain medical resources, its adoption among the Chinese population remains relatively low. To extend the benefits of mHealth to a greater number of Chinese diabetic patients, it is essential to investigate the factors that influence their willingness to utilize it and implement targeted interventions based on these influencing factors. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is widely employed to examine users' ultimate usage behaviors, and previous studies have indicated the potential relevance of the Perceived Risk (PR) theory and the eHealth Literacy Theory to users' usage behaviors. Objective Our objective was to investigate the determinants that affect the willingness of Chinese patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes patients to utilize digital disease management applications (DDMAs). Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients with type 2 diabetes in three tertiary general hospitals in Chengdu using questionnaires designed by the investigators. Participants were sampled using a convenience sampling method. The questionnaire comprised three sections: socio-demographic profile and medical history; current awareness and willingness to use digital disease management applications; and the current level of e-health literacy. Structural equation modeling was employed to assess the impact of patient awareness of DDMAs and e-health literacy on the willingness to use such DDMAs. Results (1) Patients' attitudes toward using DDMAs were significantly influenced by perceived ease of use (β = 0.380, P < 0.001) and perceived usefulness (β = 0.546, P < 0.001); (2) Electronic health literacy exerted a significant impact on patients' perceived usefulness (β = 0.115, P = 0.018) and perceived ease of use (β = 0.659, P < 0.001); (3) Patients' willingness to use was significantly influenced by perceived usefulness (β = 0.137, P < 0.001) and use attitude (β = 0.825, P < 0.001). Conclusions The present research findings hold both theoretical and practical significance, and can serve as a guide for healthcare practitioners and researchers to gain a deeper comprehension of the acceptance of digital disease management applications (DDMAs) among type 2 diabetes patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjiao Zhang
- School of Nursing, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Rong Zhu
- The 3rd Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Pidu District People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Huiqi Yang
- Nanbu Country People's Hospital, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
| | - Mengjie Chen
- School of Nursing, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaoxia Wang
- School of Nursing, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhe Li
- Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Sichuan Clinical Medical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhenzhen Xiong
- School of Nursing, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Javeed A, Aljuaid M, Khan Z, Mahmood Z, Shahid D. Role of Extrinsic Cues in the Formation of Quality Perceptions. Front Psychol 2022; 13:913836. [PMID: 35959058 PMCID: PMC9359923 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.913836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Examining the quality perceptions of consumers has often been recommended as an international research paradigm. This study is grounded in the Pakistani consumer market to evaluate the impact of food packaging cues on perceived product quality. The moderating effect of consumer knowledge was also taken into consideration in the study. A signaling theory was used in the study for its established predictive power in consumer behavior, marketing, and various fields of research. Based on the essence of the signaling theory, this study hypothesized that food packaging cues cast a positive impact on perceived product quality and consumer knowledge moderates these relationships. By using the sample of 504 consumers, data were gathered using the mall intercept method following a multi-stage sampling technique. The responses were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social sciences (SPSS) and Smart Partial Least Square (PLS). The findings of this study unveil that the extrinsic cues' brand name, price, nutritional labels, and precautionary labels were positively and significantly related to the perceived product quality. However, the country of origin cast no impact on the perceived product quality. Consumer knowledge reflected a moderation effect on the relationships between brand name and country of origin with the perceived product quality whereas it exerted no moderation impact on the relationships of price, nutritional labels, and precautionary labels with the perceived product quality. As the results exhibit that Pakistani consumers rely on food packaging cues for perceiving a product, hence it is recommended that marketers and policymakers develop appropriate marketing strategies focused on the significance of food packaging cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anam Javeed
- Department of Management Sciences, University of Wah, Wah Cantt, Pakistan
- School of Business Management, University Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia
- *Correspondence: Anam Javeed
| | - Mohammed Aljuaid
- Department of Health Administration, College of Business Administration, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zoya Khan
- Department of Management Sciences, Peer Meher Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Zahid Mahmood
- Department of Management, College of Business Administration, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Duaa Shahid
- Hult International Business School, Cambridge, MA, United States
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López-Calvo R, Hidalgo-Víquez C, Mora-Villalobos V, González-Vargas M, Alvarado R, Peña-Vásquez M, Barboza N, Redondo-Solano M. Analysis of knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) regarding food allergies in social network users in Costa Rica. Food Control 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.109031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Soon JM, Vanany I, Abdul Wahab IR, Hamdan RH, Jamaludin MH. Food safety and evaluation of intention to practice safe eating out measures during COVID-19: Cross sectional study in Indonesia and Malaysia. Food Control 2021; 125:107920. [PMID: 35668872 PMCID: PMC9159731 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2021.107920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has altered consumers' relationship with food, whether through shopping, increased home cooking, taking pre-cautionary measures during food shopping, food delivery and whilst dining out. This study aims to examine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on consumers' food safety knowledge, attitude and practices and to identify the predictors of food safety practices during COVID-19. An online survey was conducted and received valid responses from 987 respondents. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests, Spearman's rho correlation and multiple regression. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) model was used to investigate the intention to practice safe eating out measures during COVID-19. The mean food safety knowledge score was 6.37 ± 1.37 (9.00 = highest score) of which 91.3% of total respondents from Indonesia and Malaysia scored ≥5 points. Consumers also demonstrated positive food safety attitude (4.06 ± 0.99) and reported high frequencies in conducting food safety practices (4.03 ± 0.82) during COVID-19. The TPB has provided valuable framework for understanding consumers' intention to practice safe eating out measures during COVID-19. The multiple regression model explained 63% and 73% of the variance in adherence to safe eating out practices in Indonesia and Malaysia and (p < 0.05) respectively. All the TPB antecedents i.e. attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control were identified as significant predictors on consumers' eating out practices. This suggests that consumers with positive food safety attitude and strong family norms were more likely to adhere to safe eating out measures (e.g. selection of clean and less crowded restaurants, practicing hand hygiene, wearing masks and practising social distancing). The findings also suggest that to fully adhere to the safe practices, it is important to have sufficient support from restaurant staff to ensure social distancing and to provide adequate handwashing facilities. This is the first study to provide new empirical findings on consumers' intention to practice safe eating out measures during COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Mei Soon
- Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE, UK
| | - Iwan Vanany
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology, Surabaya, 60111, Indonesia
| | | | - Ruhil Hayati Hamdan
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, 16100, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Hafiz Jamaludin
- Faculty of Agro-Based Industry, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, 17600, Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia
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Mandracchia F, Llauradó E, Tarro L, Valls RM, Solà R. Mobile Phone Apps for Food Allergies or Intolerances in App Stores: Systematic Search and Quality Assessment Using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS). JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2020; 8:e18339. [PMID: 32936078 PMCID: PMC7527917 DOI: 10.2196/18339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Food allergies and intolerances are increasing worldwide, and mobile phone apps could be a promising tool for self-management of these issues. Objective This study aimed to systemically search and assess food allergy or intolerance apps in app stores using the multidimensional Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) to rate the objective and subjective quality and to identify critical points for future improvements. Methods This systematic search identified apps through the keywords “food allergy,” “food intolerance,” and “allergens” in English, Spanish, and Italian in the Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android). The inclusion criteria were a user star rating of ≥3 (of 5 stars) to limit the selection to the most highly rated apps; ≥1000 reviews as an indicator of reliability; and the most recent update performed up to 2017. Then, the apps were divided according to their purpose (searching for allergen-free “food products,” “restaurants,” or recipes in “meal planners”) and evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5 points using the MARS in terms of (1) app classification category with a descriptive aim; (2) app subjective and objective quality categories comprised of engagement, functionality, esthetics, and information sections (Medline was searched for eligible apps to check whether they had been tested in trials); and (3) an optional app-specific section. Furthermore, the output and input features were evaluated. Differences between MARS sections and between app purposes and correlations among MARS sections, star ratings, and numbers of reviews were evaluated. Results Of the 1376 apps identified, 14 were included: 12 related to food allergies and intolerances that detect 2-16 food allergens and 2 related only to gluten intolerance. The mean (SD) MARS scores (maximum 5 points) were 3.8 (SD 0.4) for objective quality, highlighting whether any app had been tested in trials; 3.5 (SD 0.6) for subjective quality; and 3.6 (SD 0.7) for the app-specific section. Therefore, a rating ≥3 points indicated overall acceptable quality. From the between-section comparison, engagement (mean 3.5, SD 0.6) obtained significantly lower scores than functionality (mean 4.1, SD 0.6), esthetics (mean 4, SD 0.5), and information (mean 3.8, SD 0.4). However, when the apps were compared by purpose, critical points were identified: meal planner apps showed significantly higher engagement (mean 4.1, SD 0.4) than food product (mean 3.0, SD 0.6; P=.05) and restaurant (mean 3.2, SD 0.3; P=.02) apps. Conclusions In this systematic search of food allergy or intolerance apps, acceptable MARS quality was identified, although the engagement section for food product and restaurant purpose apps should be improved and the included apps should be tested in trials. The critical points identified in this systematic search can help improve the innovativeness and applicability of future food allergy and intolerance apps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Floriana Mandracchia
- Functional Nutrition, Oxidation, and Cardiovascular Diseases Group (NFOC-Salut), Healthy Environment Chair, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Elisabet Llauradó
- Functional Nutrition, Oxidation, and Cardiovascular Diseases Group (NFOC-Salut), Healthy Environment Chair, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Lucia Tarro
- Functional Nutrition, Oxidation, and Cardiovascular Diseases Group (NFOC-Salut), Healthy Environment Chair, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain.,Unit of Nutrition and Health, EURECAT-Technology Centre of Catalonia, Reus, Spain
| | - Rosa Maria Valls
- Functional Nutrition, Oxidation, and Cardiovascular Diseases Group (NFOC-Salut), Healthy Environment Chair, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Rosa Solà
- Functional Nutrition, Oxidation, and Cardiovascular Diseases Group (NFOC-Salut), Healthy Environment Chair, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain.,Unit of Nutrition and Health, EURECAT-Technology Centre of Catalonia, Reus, Spain.,Hospital Universitari Sant Joan de Reus, Reus, Spain
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Soon JM, Wahab IRA, Hamdan RH, Jamaludin MH. Structural equation modelling of food safety knowledge, attitude and practices among consumers in Malaysia. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235870. [PMID: 32639978 PMCID: PMC7343170 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Factors contributing to foodborne illnesses in Malaysia were identified as insanitary food handling procedures and lack of hygiene in food preparation area. Food safety at home is a critical point as consumers represent the final step in food preparation and prevention of foodborne diseases. This study aims to investigate the food safety knowledge, attitude and self-reported practices among consumers in Malaysia. An online survey was conducted, and data were analysed using descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis. A model linking food safety knowledge and attitude and their direct effects on practices were confirmed using structural equation modelling (SEM). The proposed model fulfilled the goodness of fit indices and is deemed acceptable. Respondents demonstrate good level of food safety knowledge and positive attitudes and self-reported practices. Food safety knowledge has a negative and insignificant relationship with food safety practices (β1 = -0.284, p>0.05) while attitude significantly affects food safety practices (β1 = 0.534, p<0.05). The findings clearly indicate that food safety knowledge does not directly affect food safety practices This is also the first study to provide new empirical findings on thermometer usage among consumers in Malaysia. This study establishes an important point of reference where consumers use visual appearances to determine if food is thoroughly cooked and practice washing raw chicken prior to cooking. Food safety practices at home play a critical role in protecting consumers in reducing risks of foodborne illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Mei Soon
- Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, England, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Ruhil Hayati Hamdan
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Hafiz Jamaludin
- Faculty of Agro-Based Industry, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia
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Soon JM. Food allergen knowledge, attitude and practices among UK consumers: A structural modelling approach. Food Res Int 2019; 120:375-381. [PMID: 31000251 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2019.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Food allergies are becoming more prevalent and affect up to 1-2% of adults and 5-8% of children in the UK. This study investigated the food allergen knowledge, attitude towards food allergens and food allergy management practices among food allergic and intolerant consumers and/or their family members and carers. Questionnaires were distributed at three major Free From events in the UK in 2017 and 2018. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used as a confirmatory technique to determine the model's validity. Cereals containing gluten, milk and eggs were the most common triggers reported by the consumers. Other trigger foods such as chocolate, garlic, maize, onions, red and white meat, spices, and fruits such as apples and cherries were also reported. Consumers demonstrated very good understanding on the severity of allergic reactions, prevention method and hidden egg ingredients. Overall, consumers were relatively good in the knowledge section. The participants were motivated in their personal allergen avoidance towards food allergens especially in checking food labels, preference for more free from product choices and handwashing. Consumers did not rely on dietary apps or social media to find out about allergen-free food products. Both knowledge and attitude did not translate into food allergy management practices. Significant correlation between knowledge and attitude was identified suggesting that as knowledge decreases, so will their attitude scores. This study suggests that targeted and systematic food allergy management topics and peer support could be used to improve consumers' knowledge and attitude to positively impact food allergen handling practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Mei Soon
- Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK.
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