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Zawati MH, Lang M. Does an App a Day Keep the Doctor Away? AI Symptom Checker Applications, Entrenched Bias, and Professional Responsibility. J Med Internet Res 2024; 26:e50344. [PMID: 38838309 PMCID: PMC11187504 DOI: 10.2196/50344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The growing prominence of artificial intelligence (AI) in mobile health (mHealth) has given rise to a distinct subset of apps that provide users with diagnostic information using their inputted health status and symptom information-AI-powered symptom checker apps (AISympCheck). While these apps may potentially increase access to health care, they raise consequential ethical and legal questions. This paper will highlight notable concerns with AI usage in the health care system, further entrenchment of preexisting biases in the health care system and issues with professional accountability. To provide an in-depth analysis of the issues of bias and complications of professional obligations and liability, we focus on 2 mHealth apps as examples-Babylon and Ada. We selected these 2 apps as they were both widely distributed during the COVID-19 pandemic and make prominent claims about their use of AI for the purpose of assessing user symptoms. First, bias entrenchment often originates from the data used to train AI systems, causing the AI to replicate these inequalities through a "garbage in, garbage out" phenomenon. Users of these apps are also unlikely to be demographically representative of the larger population, leading to distorted results. Second, professional accountability poses a substantial challenge given the vast diversity and lack of regulation surrounding the reliability of AISympCheck apps. It is unclear whether these apps should be subject to safety reviews, who is responsible for app-mediated misdiagnosis, and whether these apps ought to be recommended by physicians. With the rapidly increasing number of apps, there remains little guidance available for health professionals. Professional bodies and advocacy organizations have a particularly important role to play in addressing these ethical and legal gaps. Implementing technical safeguards within these apps could mitigate bias, AIs could be trained with primarily neutral data, and apps could be subject to a system of regulation to allow users to make informed decisions. In our view, it is critical that these legal concerns are considered throughout the design and implementation of these potentially disruptive technologies. Entrenched bias and professional responsibility, while operating in different ways, are ultimately exacerbated by the unregulated nature of mHealth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ma'n H Zawati
- Centre of Genomics and Policy, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Michael Lang
- Centre of Genomics and Policy, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Kasahara A, Mitchell J, Yang J, Cuomo RE, McMann TJ, Mackey TK. Digital technologies used in clinical trial recruitment and enrollment including application to trial diversity and inclusion: A systematic review. Digit Health 2024; 10:20552076241242390. [PMID: 38559578 PMCID: PMC10981266 DOI: 10.1177/20552076241242390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Many clinical trials fail because of poor recruitment and enrollment which can directly impact the success of biomedical and clinical research outcomes. Options to leverage digital technology for improving clinical trial management are expansive, with potential benefits for improving access to clinical trials, encouraging trial diversity and inclusion, and potential cost-savings through enhanced efficiency. Objectives This systematic review has two key aims: (1) identify and describe the digital technologies applied in clinical trial recruitment and enrollment and (2) evaluate evidence of these technologies addressing the recruitment and enrollment of racial and ethnic minority groups. Methods We conducted a cross-disciplinary review of articles from PubMed, IEEE Xplore, and ACM Digital Library, published in English between January 2012 and July 2022, using MeSH terms and keywords for digital health, clinical trials, and recruitment and enrollment. Articles unrelated to technology in the recruitment/enrollment process or those discussing recruitment/enrollment without technology aspects were excluded. Results The review returned 614 results, with 21 articles (four reviews and 17 original research articles) deemed suitable for inclusion after screening and full-text review. To address the first objective, various digital technologies were identified and characterized, which included articles with more than one technology subcategory including (a) multimedia presentations (19%, n = 4); (b) mobile applications (14%, n = 3); (c) social media platforms (29%, n = 6); (d) machine learning and computer algorithms (19%, n = 4); (e) e-consenting (24%, n = 5); (f) blockchain (5%, n = 1); (g) web-based programs (24%, n = 5); and (h) virtual messaging (24%, n = 5). Additionally, subthemes, including specific diseases or conditions addressed, privacy and regulatory concerns, cost/benefit analyses, and ethnic and minority recruitment considerations, were identified and discussed. Limited research was found to support a particular technology's effectiveness in racial and ethnic minority recruitment and enrollment. Conclusion Results from this review illustrate that several types of technology are currently being explored and utilized in clinical trial recruitment and enrollment stages. However, evidence supporting the use of digital technologies is varied and requires further research and evaluation to identify the most valuable opportunities for encouraging diversity in clinical trial recruitment and enrollment practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Kasahara
- Rady School of Management, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Public Health, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer Mitchell
- Rady School of Management, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Occupational Therapy, California State University Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA, USA
| | - Joshua Yang
- Department of Public Health, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, USA
| | - Raphael E. Cuomo
- Global Health Policy and Data Institute, San Diego, CA, USA
- S-3 Research, San Diego, CA, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego – School of Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Tiana J. McMann
- Global Health Policy and Data Institute, San Diego, CA, USA
- S-3 Research, San Diego, CA, USA
- Global Health Program, Department of Anthropology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Tim K. Mackey
- Global Health Policy and Data Institute, San Diego, CA, USA
- S-3 Research, San Diego, CA, USA
- Global Health Program, Department of Anthropology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
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Kopka M, Scatturin L, Napierala H, Fürstenau D, Feufel MA, Balzer F, Schmieding ML. Characteristics of Users and Nonusers of Symptom Checkers in Germany: Cross-Sectional Survey Study. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e46231. [PMID: 37338970 DOI: 10.2196/46231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have revealed that users of symptom checkers (SCs, apps that support self-diagnosis and self-triage) are predominantly female, are younger than average, and have higher levels of formal education. Little data are available for Germany, and no study has so far compared usage patterns with people's awareness of SCs and the perception of usefulness. OBJECTIVE We explored the sociodemographic and individual characteristics that are associated with the awareness, usage, and perceived usefulness of SCs in the German population. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional online survey among 1084 German residents in July 2022 regarding personal characteristics and people's awareness and usage of SCs. Using random sampling from a commercial panel, we collected participant responses stratified by gender, state of residence, income, and age to reflect the German population. We analyzed the collected data exploratively. RESULTS Of all respondents, 16.3% (177/1084) were aware of SCs and 6.5% (71/1084) had used them before. Those aware of SCs were younger (mean 38.8, SD 14.6 years, vs mean 48.3, SD 15.7 years), were more often female (107/177, 60.5%, vs 453/907, 49.9%), and had higher formal education levels (eg, 72/177, 40.7%, vs 238/907, 26.2%, with a university/college degree) than those unaware. The same observation applied to users compared to nonusers. It disappeared, however, when comparing users to nonusers who were aware of SCs. Among users, 40.8% (29/71) considered these tools useful. Those considering them useful reported higher self-efficacy (mean 4.21, SD 0.66, vs mean 3.63, SD 0.81, on a scale of 1-5) and a higher net household income (mean EUR 2591.63, SD EUR 1103.96 [mean US $2798.96, SD US $1192.28], vs mean EUR 1626.60, SD EUR 649.05 [mean US $1756.73, SD US $700.97]) than those who considered them not useful. More women considered SCs unhelpful (13/44, 29.5%) compared to men (4/26, 15.4%). CONCLUSIONS Concurring with studies from other countries, our findings show associations between sociodemographic characteristics and SC usage in a German sample: users were on average younger, of higher socioeconomic status, and more commonly female compared to nonusers. However, usage cannot be explained by sociodemographic differences alone. It rather seems that sociodemographics explain who is or is not aware of the technology, but those who are aware of SCs are equally likely to use them, independently of sociodemographic differences. Although in some groups (eg, people with anxiety disorder), more participants reported to know and use SCs, they tended to perceive them as less useful. In other groups (eg, male participants), fewer respondents were aware of SCs, but those who used them perceived them to be more useful. Thus, SCs should be designed to fit specific user needs, and strategies should be developed to help reach individuals who could benefit but are not aware of SCs yet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marvin Kopka
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Division of Ergonomics, Department of Psychology and Ergonomics, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lennart Scatturin
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hendrik Napierala
- Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Fürstenau
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Business IT, IT University of Copenhagen, København, Denmark
| | - Markus A Feufel
- Division of Ergonomics, Department of Psychology and Ergonomics, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix Balzer
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Malte L Schmieding
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Bridging the Generational Digital Divide in the Healthcare Environment. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12081214. [PMID: 35893307 PMCID: PMC9394326 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12081214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing technological advances have generated a digital dependency in the population, resulting in a group of digitally excluded vulnerable people that lack basic digital skills. The aim of this study was to assess the digital divide in patients in relation to the healthcare environment. We explored the extent and effects of the digital health divide by undertaking a systematic review of the academic literature and comparing our findings with the results of a cross-sectional in-person survey answered by 881 people at four community pharmacies. In terms of the sociodemographic profile of the patients, we collected data regarding their gender, age, education level, and location (periphery or urban). The parameters evaluated were use of the internet to search for health information, use of telemedicine, use of different medical/healthcare applications, understanding explanations given by physicians regarding health, and asking pharmacists for help about newly prescribed treatments. Moreover, 168 pharmacists answered an online survey about how often they helped patients to make health center appointments or to download their COVID-19 vaccination certificate. Gender did not influence these results, but age, education level, and population location did. Those with the lowest levels of education required more help to request a health center appointment. People with high education levels and those living in an urban environment more often searched the internet for information about treatments that were new to them. Finally, people living in periphery areas received more help from their pharmacists, 60% of which said they had helped patients to download their COVID-19 vaccination certificate, with 24% of them saying they helped patients with this on a daily basis.
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Tan RKJ, Wu D, Day S, Zhao Y, Larson HJ, Sylvia S, Tang W, Tucker JD. Digital approaches to enhancing community engagement in clinical trials. NPJ Digit Med 2022; 5:37. [PMID: 35338241 PMCID: PMC8956701 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-022-00581-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Digital approaches are increasingly common in clinical trial recruitment, retention, analysis, and dissemination. Community engagement processes have contributed to the successful implementation of clinical trials and are crucial in enhancing equity in trials. However, few studies focus on how digital approaches can be implemented to enhance community engagement in clinical trials. This narrative review examines three key areas for digital approaches to deepen community engagement in clinical trials-the use of digital technology for trial processes to decentralize trials, digital crowdsourcing to develop trial components, and digital qualitative research methods. We highlight how digital approaches enhanced community engagement through a greater diversity of participants, and deepened community engagement through the decentralization of research processes. We discuss new possibilities that digital technologies offer for community engagement, and highlight potential strengths, weaknesses, and practical considerations. We argue that strengthening community engagement using a digital approach can enhance equity and improve health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rayner K J Tan
- University of North Carolina Project-China, Guangzhou, China.
- Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Dan Wu
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Suzanne Day
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Yang Zhao
- School of Social Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Heidi J Larson
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sean Sylvia
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Weiming Tang
- Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Joseph D Tucker
- University of North Carolina Project-China, Guangzhou, China
- Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Sifat MS, Saperstein SL, Tasnim N, Green KM. Motivations Toward Using Digital Health and Exploring the Possibility of Using Digital Health for Mental Health in Bangladesh University Students: Cross-sectional Questionnaire Study. JMIR Form Res 2022; 6:e34901. [PMID: 35254267 PMCID: PMC8933805 DOI: 10.2196/34901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Digital health is efficacious for the management and prevention of mental health (MH) problems. It is particularly helpful for the young adult population, who appreciate the autonomy digital health provides, and in low-income countries, where the prevalence of MH problems is high but the supply of professionals trained in MH is low. Objective The objectives of this study are 2-fold: to determine whether university students in Bangladesh find using digital health for MH promotion acceptable and to examine motivational factors for using digital health for MH. Methods This study used a cross-sectional survey to examine the likelihood that university students in Bangladesh (n=311) would use different forms of digital health platforms for MH promotion and assessed drivers of intention to use and actual use of digital health generally and digital health for MH through the lens of the Technology Acceptance Model. The results provided evidence that the university student population in Bangladesh is likely to use digital health to promote their MH. Results Social influence (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.68, 95% CI 1.40-2.01; P<.001), ease of use (aOR 1.85, 95% CI 1.35-2.53; P<.001), and perceived usefulness (aOR 4.12, 95% CI 1.79-9.51; P=.001) of digital health were found to be significant drivers of the intention to use general digital health, and having an intention to use digital health (aOR 2.10, 95% CI 1.17-3.78; P=.01) had the greatest influence on actual use of digital health. Social influence (aOR 1.71, 95% CI 1.43-2.04; P<.001), perceived usefulness (aOR 8.92, 95% CI 4.18-19.04; P<.001), and use of general digital health (aOR 2.16, 95% CI 1.18-3.97; P=.01) were associated with higher intention to use digital health for MH. The use of general digital health (aOR 4.19, 95% CI 2.37-7.41; P<.001) was associated with the actual use of digital health for MH, as were greater non–stigma-related barriers to using traditional clinical MH services (aOR 2.05, 95% CI 1.10-3.80; P=.02). Conclusions Overall, we see that the use of digital health for MH is acceptable in this population and can be helpful for students who perceive barriers to receiving traditional care. We also gain insight into how to promote the intention to use digital health, which in turn promotes the actual use of digital health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Munjireen S Sifat
- TSET Health Promotion Research Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Sandra L Saperstein
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | | | - Kerry M Green
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
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Gaobotse G, Mbunge E, Batani J, Muchemwa B. The future of smart implants towards personalized and pervasive healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa: Opportunities, barriers and policy recommendations. SENSORS INTERNATIONAL 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sintl.2022.100173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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Berry I, Mangtani P, Rahman M, Khan IA, Sarkar S, Naureen T, Greer AL, Morris SK, Fisman DN, Flora MS. Population Health Surveillance Using Mobile Phone Surveys in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Methodology and Sample Representativeness of a Cross-sectional Survey of Live Poultry Exposure in Bangladesh. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2021; 7:e29020. [PMID: 34766914 PMCID: PMC8663489 DOI: 10.2196/29020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Population-based health surveys are typically conducted using face-to-face household interviews in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, telephone-based surveys are cheaper, faster, and can provide greater access to hard-to-reach or remote populations. The rapid growth in mobile phone ownership in LMICs provides a unique opportunity to implement novel data collection methods for population health surveys. Objective This study aims to describe the development and population representativeness of a mobile phone survey measuring live poultry exposure in urban Bangladesh. Methods A population-based, cross-sectional, mobile phone survey was conducted between September and November 2019 in North and South Dhaka City Corporations (DCC), Bangladesh, to measure live poultry exposure using a stratified probability sampling design. Data were collected using a computer-assisted telephone interview platform. The call operational data were summarized, and the participant data were weighted by age, sex, and education to the 2011 census. The demographic distribution of the weighted sample was compared with external sources to assess population representativeness. Results A total of 5486 unique mobile phone numbers were dialed, with 1047 respondents completing the survey. The survey had an overall response rate of 52.2% (1047/2006) and a co-operation rate of 89.0% (1047/1176). Initial results comparing the sociodemographic profile of the survey sample to the census population showed that mobile phone sampling slightly underrepresented older individuals and overrepresented those with higher secondary education. After weighting, the demographic profile of the sample population matched well with the latest DCC census population profile. Conclusions Probability-based mobile phone survey sampling and data collection methods produced a population-representative sample with minimal adjustment in DCC, Bangladesh. Mobile phone–based surveys can offer an efficient, economic, and robust way to conduct surveillance for population health outcomes, which has important implications for improving population health surveillance in LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isha Berry
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Punam Mangtani
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mahbubur Rahman
- Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Iqbal Ansary Khan
- Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Sudipta Sarkar
- Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Tanzila Naureen
- Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Amy L Greer
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Shaun K Morris
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Division of Infectious Disease and Center for Global Child Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David N Fisman
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Yao R, Zhang W, Evans R, Cao G, Rui T, Shen L. Inequities in Healthcare Services Caused by the Adoption of Digital Health Technologies: A Scoping Review (Preprint). J Med Internet Res 2021; 24:e34144. [PMID: 35311682 PMCID: PMC8981004 DOI: 10.2196/34144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Yao
- School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenli Zhang
- School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Richard Evans
- Faculty of Computer Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Guang Cao
- School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tianqi Rui
- School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lining Shen
- School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Provincial Research Center for Health Technology Assessment, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Smart Health, Huazhong University of Science & Technology, Wuhan, China
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Green G, Tesler R, Sharon C. Perceived Efficiency Outcomes, Sources and Awareness of Online Health Information among the Elderly during COVID-19. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18158121. [PMID: 34360416 PMCID: PMC8346150 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18158121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The Internet and social media are crucial platforms for health information. Factors such as the efficiency of online health information, the outcomes of seeking online health information and the awareness of reliable sources have become increasingly important for the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to examine differences between elderly individuals' income above and below the average monthly wage in relation to their online health information efficiency and the outcomes of seeking online health information; to evaluate types of online information sources with online health information efficiency and the outcomes of seeking online health information; and to explore online health information efficiency as a mediator between health status and awareness of online sources. A cross-sectional study design was conducted with 336 elderly participants age 65 or older. The participants volunteered to complete a questionnaire. No differences were found between the two groups regarding efficiency in retrieving health information from official online health sites and Google. Perceived efficiency mediated health status and awareness of online sources. In these challenging times, it is important to provide a tailor-made education strategy plan for reliable sources of online health information for the elderly, in order to enhance their technology safety skills. It is also important to explore other mediating variables between health status and awareness of online sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gizell Green
- Nursing Department, School of Health Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel;
- Correspondence:
| | - Riki Tesler
- Department of Health Systems Management, School of Health Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel;
| | - Cochava Sharon
- Nursing Department, School of Health Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel;
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Rahman T, Hasnain MDG, Islam A. Food insecurity and mental health of women during COVID-19: Evidence from a developing country. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0255392. [PMID: 34324606 PMCID: PMC8321003 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study examines the association between food insecurity and mental health of women during the COVID-19 pandemic in a resource poor setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data were collected at two time-points (wave 1 and 2) from 2402 women, one per household, participating in a larger study during extended COVID-19 lockdown in the rural areas of the southwest region of Bangladesh. The primary outcome of the analyses is the association between food insecurity, measured using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), and stress level, measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), for women during the lockdown. General awareness about COVID-19 and attitude towards prescribed preventive measures were also measured since COVID-19 health concerns could exacerbate food insecurity. RESULTS An individual-level evaluation of the effect of wave 2 FIES score on PSS score showed that worsening of the food security status increasing the stress level of the participants (95% CI: 1.61; 2.13; p-value: <0.001). Additionally, a significant negative association was observed between the PSS score and change in food security status between the two waves (Coefficient: -1.15, 95% CI: -1.30; -0.99, p-value: <0.001), indicating that deterioration in food security status over the pandemic period increasing the stress level. At the village level, the results showed a similar pattern. General awareness around ways coronavirus spreads was high, yet there were misperceptions at a higher level. Maintaining hand hygiene, wearing face masks outside the home, and going outside only when necessary were widely practised. Fewer respondents could maintain a 1.5-metre distance from others in the outside and maintained cough and sneeze etiquette. CONCLUSION The results indicate a higher stress level, a potential contributor to poor mental health, as food insecurity deteriorated. Policy initiatives in ameliorating immediate food insecurity during crises, improving long-term wellbeing, and expanding the reach of mental health support are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabassum Rahman
- School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - M. D. Golam Hasnain
- School of Medicine and Public Health, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Asad Islam
- Centre for Development Economics and Sustainability, Department of Economics, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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Father's Knowledge, Attitude and Support to Mother's Exclusive Breastfeeding Practices in Bangladesh: A Multi-Group Structural Equations Model Analysis. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:healthcare9030276. [PMID: 33802555 PMCID: PMC7998803 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9030276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite worldwide initiatives, the exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rate is low. The study aims to investigate the role of fathers’ knowledge, attitude and support in formulating mothers’ practice of breastfeeding taking Bangladeshi parental cases as a sample. The study uses a standard survey instrument following the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Responses from 332 couples are accepted following a standard criteria and used for analysis. The sample is divided into sub-groups based on delivery mode—vaginal (n = 211, 64%) and cesarean section (n = 121, 36%). Based on the sub-groups, a multi-group structural equation modelling (SEM) is applied to analyze the phenomena. The study finds that a father’s knowledge in EBF can, in one way, significantly enhance mother’s knowledge by sharing and, in another way, can enhance his own attitude to offer different support to his partner/wife which induces the chances of EBF practices by mothers. The enhanced EBF knowledge of a mother raises her attitude to practice EBF, which is also positively affected by the father’s attitude. Thus, fathers’ support, coupled with mothers’ positive attitude, the mother’s intention to practice EBF as per standard guidelines.
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