1
|
Song S, Park J, Rho MJ. Effectiveness and intention to use a COVID-19 self-management app for epidemiological investigation: a web-based survey study. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1343734. [PMID: 38601508 PMCID: PMC11004299 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1343734] [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: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Numerous COVID-19-related apps were widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among them, those supporting epidemiological investigations were particularly useful. This study explored the effectiveness of apps that support epidemiological investigations, factors influencing users' intention to use them, and ways to encourage their use. Methods We developed and evaluated the KODARI app to demonstrate its importance in epidemiological investigations. After adapting a questionnaire based on an existing evaluation framework for COVID-19-related apps, we collected data from 276 participants through an online survey conducted between April 28 and May 25, 2023. We conducted two independent sample t-tests to determine the differences between each variable according to demographic characteristics and a multiple regression analysis to identify factors affecting intention to use. Results Users were generally satisfied with the KODARI. We observed differences in sex, age, marital status, occupational characteristics, and experience with epidemiological investigation. Females rated the app's information accuracy higher than males. Males had a higher intention to use than females. Participants aged under 35 years rated information accuracy and transparency highly, whereas single participants rated information accuracy higher than married participants. Occupational groups with frequent interactions with others evaluated their self-determination regarding the application. The app's self-determination was highly valued among participants with experience in epidemiological investigations. By investigating the factors affecting the intention to use the app, we confirmed that effectiveness, self-determination, and usability significantly affected the intention to use. Discussion This study demonstrated the effectiveness of app supporting epidemiological investigations, identified meaningful factors that influence intention to use, and confirmed the applicability of our new framework by considering the specificity of infectious disease situations such as COVID-19. This study provides a new basis for future epidemiological studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sihyun Song
- Department of Healthcare Service Management, Graduate School of Health and Welfare, Dankook University, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihwan Park
- College of Liberal Arts, Dankook University, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Jung Rho
- College of Health Science, Dankook University, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ciski M, Rząsa K. Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression in the Investigation of Local COVID-19 Anomalies Based on Population Age Structure in Poland. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20105875. [PMID: 37239602 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20105875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
A growing number of various studies focusing on different aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic are emerging as the pandemic continues. Three variables that are most commonly used to describe the course of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide are the number of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases, the number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths, and the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered. In this paper, using the multiscale geographically weighted regression, an analysis of the interrelationships between the number of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases, the number of confirmed COVID-19 deaths, and the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered were conducted. Furthermore, using maps of the local R2 estimates, it was possible to visualize how the relations between the explanatory variables and the dependent variables vary across the study area. Thus, analysis of the influence of demographic factors described by the age structure and gender breakdown of the population over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic was performed. This allowed the identification of local anomalies in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyses were carried out for the area of Poland. The results obtained may be useful for local authorities in developing strategies to further counter the pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Ciski
- Faculty of Geoengineering, Institute of Spatial Management and Geography, Department of Socio-Economic Geography, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-720 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Rząsa
- Faculty of Geoengineering, Institute of Spatial Management and Geography, Department of Socio-Economic Geography, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-720 Olsztyn, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sawik B, Tobis S, Baum E, Suwalska A, Kropińska S, Stachnik K, Pérez-Bernabeu E, Cildoz M, Agustin A, Wieczorowska-Tobis K. Robots for Elderly Care: Review, Multi-Criteria Optimization Model and Qualitative Case Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11091286. [PMID: 37174828 PMCID: PMC10178192 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11091286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper focuses on three areas: the first is a review of current knowledge about social and service robots for elderly care. The second is an optimization conceptual model aimed at maximizing the efficiency of assigning robots to serve the elderly. The proposed multi-criteria optimization model is the first one proposed in the area of optimization for robot assignment for the elderly with robot utilization level and caregiver stress level. The third is the findings of studies on the needs, requirements, and adoption of technology in elderly care. We consider the use of robots as a part of the ENRICHME project for long-term interaction and monitoring of older persons with mild cognitive impairment, to optimize their independence. Additionally, we performed focus group discussions (FGD) to collect opinions about robot-related requirements of the elderly and their caregivers. Four FDGs of six persons were organized: two comprising older adults, and two of the other formal and informal caregivers, based on a detailed script. The statements of older participants and their caregivers were consistent in several areas. The analysis revealed user characteristics, robot-related issues, functionality, and barriers to overcome before the deployment of the robot. An introduction of the robot must be thoroughly planned, include comprehensive pre-training, and take the ethical and practical issues into account. The involvement of future users in the customization of the robot is essential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bartosz Sawik
- Department of Business Informatics and Engineering Management, AGH University of Science and Technology, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
- Institute of Smart Cities, Department of Statistics, Computer Science and Mathematics, Public University of Navarre, 31006 Pamplona, Spain
- Haas School of Business, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Sławomir Tobis
- Occupational Therapy Unit, Chair of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, ul. Swiecickiego 6, 60-781 Poznan, Poland
| | - Ewa Baum
- Department of Social Sciences and the Humanities, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Suwalska
- Department of Mental Health, Chair of Psychiatry, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, ul. Szpitalna 27/33, 60-572 Poznan, Poland
| | - Sylwia Kropińska
- Geriatrics Unit, Chair of Palliative Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, os. Rusa 55, 61-245 Poznan, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Stachnik
- Geriatrics Unit, Chair of Palliative Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, os. Rusa 55, 61-245 Poznan, Poland
| | - Elena Pérez-Bernabeu
- Department of Applied Statistics and Operations Research, Universitat Politècnica de València, Plaza Ferrandiz y Carbonell, sn, 03801 Alcoy, Spain
| | - Marta Cildoz
- Institute of Smart Cities, Department of Statistics, Computer Science and Mathematics, Public University of Navarre, 31006 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Alba Agustin
- Institute of Smart Cities, Department of Statistics, Computer Science and Mathematics, Public University of Navarre, 31006 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Katarzyna Wieczorowska-Tobis
- Geriatrics Unit, Chair of Palliative Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, os. Rusa 55, 61-245 Poznan, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rząsa K, Ciski M. Influence of the Demographic, Social, and Environmental Factors on the COVID-19 Pandemic-Analysis of the Local Variations Using Geographically Weighted Regression. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11881. [PMID: 36231184 PMCID: PMC9564649 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191911881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, an increasing number of different research studies focusing on various aspects of the pandemic are emerging. Most of the studies focus on the medical aspects of the pandemic, as well as on the impact of COVID-19 on various areas of life; less emphasis is put on analyzing the influence of socio-environmental factors on the spread of the pandemic. In this paper, using the geographically weighted regression method, the extent to which demographic, social, and environmental factors explain the number of cases of SARS-CoV-2 is explored. The research was performed for the case-study area of Poland, considering the administrative division of the country into counties. The results showed that the demographic factors best explained the number of cases of SARS-CoV-2; the social factors explained it to a medium degree; and the environmental factors explained it to the lowest degree. Urban population and the associated higher amount and intensity of human contact are the most influential factors in the development of the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis of the factors related to the areas burdened by social problems resulting primarily from the economic exclusion revealed that poverty-burdened areas are highly vulnerable to the development of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using maps of the local R2 it was possible to visualize how the relationships between the explanatory variables (for this research-demographic, social, and environmental factors) and the dependent variable (number of cases of SARS-CoV-2) vary across the study area. Through the GWR method, counties were identified as particularly vulnerable to the pandemic because of the problem of economic exclusion. Considering that the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, the results obtained may be useful for local authorities in developing strategies to counter the pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mateusz Ciski
- Faculty of Geoengineering, Institute of Spatial Management and Geography, Department of Land Management and Geographic Information Systems, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-720 Olsztyn, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Aouissi HA, Kechebar MSA, Ababsa M, Roufayel R, Neji B, Petrisor AI, Hamimes A, Epelboin L, Ohmagari N. The Importance of Behavioral and Native Factors on COVID-19 Infection and Severity: Insights from a Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:1341. [PMID: 35885867 PMCID: PMC9323463 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10071341] [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: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on a global scale. Understanding the innate and lifestyle-related factors influencing the rate and severity of COVID-19 is important for making evidence-based recommendations. This cross-sectional study aims at establishing a potential relationship between human characteristics and vulnerability/resistance to SARS-CoV-2. We hypothesize that the impact of the virus is not the same due to cultural and ethnic differences. A cross-sectional study was performed using an online questionnaire. The methodology included the development of a multi-language survey, expert evaluation, and data analysis. Data were collected using a 13-item pre-tested questionnaire based on a literature review between 9 December 2020 and 21 July 2021. Data were statistically analyzed using logistic regression. For a total of 1125 respondents, 332 (29.5%) were COVID-19 positive; among them, 130 (11.5%) required home-based treatment, and 14 (1.2%) intensive care. The significant and most influential factors on infection included age, physical activity, and health status (p < 0.05), i.e., better physical activity and better health status significantly reduced the possibility of infection, while older age significantly increased it. The severity of infection was negatively associated with the acceptance (adherence and respect) of preventive measures and positively associated with tobacco (p < 0.05), i.e., smoking regularly significantly increases the severity of COVID-19 infection. This suggests the importance of behavioral factors compared to innate ones. Apparently, individual behavior is mainly responsible for the spread of the virus. Therefore, adopting a healthy lifestyle and scrupulously observing preventive measures, including vaccination, would greatly limit the probability of infection and prevent the development of severe COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hani Amir Aouissi
- Scientific and Technical Research Center on Arid Regions (CRSTRA), Biskra 07000, Algeria; (M.S.A.K.); (M.A.)
- Laboratoire de Recherche et d’Etude en Aménagement et Urbanisme (LREAU), Université des Sciences et de la Technologie (USTHB), Algiers 16000, Algeria
- Environmental Research Center (CRE), Badji-Mokhtar Annaba University, Annaba 23000, Algeria
| | - Mohamed Seif Allah Kechebar
- Scientific and Technical Research Center on Arid Regions (CRSTRA), Biskra 07000, Algeria; (M.S.A.K.); (M.A.)
| | - Mostefa Ababsa
- Scientific and Technical Research Center on Arid Regions (CRSTRA), Biskra 07000, Algeria; (M.S.A.K.); (M.A.)
| | - Rabih Roufayel
- College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Kuwait;
| | - Bilel Neji
- College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, Kuwait;
| | - Alexandru-Ionut Petrisor
- Doctoral School of Urban Planning, Ion Mincu University of Architecture and Urbanism, 010014 Bucharest, Romania;
- National Institute for Research and Development in Tourism, 50741 Bucharest, Romania
- National Institute for Research and Development in Constructions, Urbanism and Sustainable Spatial Development URBAN-INCERC, 021652 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ahmed Hamimes
- Faculty of Medicine, University Salah Boubnider of Constantine 3, Constantine 25000, Algeria;
| | - Loïc Epelboin
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Department, Centre Hospitalier de Cayenne Andrée Rosemon, 97306 Cayenne, France;
- Centre d’Investigation Clinique (CIC INSERM 1424), Centre Hospitalier de Cayenne Andrée Rosemon, 97306 Cayenne, France
| | - Norio Ohmagari
- Disease Control and Prevention Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan;
- AMR Clinical Reference Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tuczyńska M, Staszewski R, Matthews-Kozanecka M, Żok A, Baum E. Quality of the Healthcare Services During COVID-19 Pandemic in Selected European Countries. Front Public Health 2022; 10:870314. [PMID: 35646786 PMCID: PMC9133554 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.870314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundThere are several definitions of the quality of healthcare services. It may be defined as a level of value provided by any health care resource, as determined by some measurement. Scientists use a variety of quality measures to attempt to determine health care quality. They use special indicators or based on a patients' or healthcare professional's perception. This article aims to provide a short review of the available data on the quality of healthcare services in selected European countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodologyThe research was done by the use of online databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. All the studies focused on the quality of healthcare services, yet the studies used different methods to measure this quality. In addition, the results of the authors' survey on the assessment of the quality of healthcare services before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were presented.ResultsAmong twelve studies, four were from the United Kingdom and one each of Catalonia, Italy, Sweden, Poland, Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgium. Patients in the United Kingdom felt that the quality of services was good during the pandemic, whereas the quality declined in the other studies cited. The results of our research also revealed a decrease in the quality of healthcare services provided.ConclusionsNevertheless the development of telemedicine has had a positive impact on the quality of healthcare services. The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly affected most European countries' quality of healthcare services.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Tuczyńska
- Students Scientific Circle of Maxillofacial Orthopaedics and Orthodontics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
- *Correspondence: Magdalena Tuczyńska
| | - Rafał Staszewski
- Department of Hypertension, Angiology and Internal Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Maja Matthews-Kozanecka
- Department of Social Sciences and the Humanities, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Żok
- Division of Philosophy of Medicine and Bioethics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Ewa Baum
- Department of Social Sciences and the Humanities, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Tuczyńska M, Staszewski R, Matthews-Kozanecka M, Baum E. Impact of Socioeconomic Status on the Perception of Accessibility to and Quality of Healthcare Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Poles—Pilot Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095734. [PMID: 35565127 PMCID: PMC9104779 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
This pilot study was conducted on the reported hypothesis that the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak had an impact on the accessibility and quality of healthcare services and exacerbated socioeconomic inequalities. The aim was to determine whether economic status and education had an impact on the perception of access and quality to healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic and whether, according to patients, accessibility and quality had changed significantly compared to the pre-pandemic period in Poland. The study was based on the authors’ questionnaire and the results were statistically analyzed. Two hundred forty-seven feedback responses were received with a responsiveness rate of 93 percent. Statistically significant differences were found when comparing education level and utilization of healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic. A comparison of gender and economic situation, and average monthly income found no statistically significant differences. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly affected the provision of health services in many countries around the world. One result of the pandemic crisis has been widening socioeconomic inequalities among patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Tuczyńska
- SSC of Maxillofacial and Orthopaedics and Orthodontics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Rafał Staszewski
- Department of Hypertension, Angiology and Internal Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Maja Matthews-Kozanecka
- Department of Social Sciences and the Humanities, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland; (M.M.-K.); (E.B.)
| | - Ewa Baum
- Department of Social Sciences and the Humanities, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland; (M.M.-K.); (E.B.)
- Division of Philosophy of Medicine and Bioethics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-701 Poznan, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
A Deep Learning Approach for Sentiment Analysis of COVID-19 Reviews. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12083709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
User-generated multi-media content, such as images, text, videos, and speech, has recently become more popular on social media sites as a means for people to share their ideas and opinions. One of the most popular social media sites for providing public sentiment towards events that occurred during the COVID-19 period is Twitter. This is because Twitter posts are short and constantly being generated. This paper presents a deep learning approach for sentiment analysis of Twitter data related to COVID-19 reviews. The proposed algorithm is based on an LSTM-RNN-based network and enhanced featured weighting by attention layers. This algorithm uses an enhanced feature transformation framework via the attention mechanism. A total of four class labels (sad, joy, fear, and anger) from publicly available Twitter data posted in the Kaggle database were used in this study. Based on the use of attention layers with the existing LSTM-RNN approach, the proposed deep learning approach significantly improved the performance metrics, with an increase of 20% in accuracy and 10% to 12% in precision but only 12–13% in recall as compared with the current approaches. Out of a total of 179,108 COVID-19-related tweets, tweets with positive, neutral, and negative sentiments were found to account for 45%, 30%, and 25%, respectively. This shows that the proposed deep learning approach is efficient and practical and can be easily implemented for sentiment classification of COVID-19 reviews.
Collapse
|