scholarly journals Informed choice or guessing game? Understanding caregivers’ perceptions and use of infant formula labelling

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lenka Malek ◽  
Hazel Fowler ◽  
Gillian Duffy ◽  
Lisa Katzer

AbstractObjectiveAlthough breast-feeding is the recommended way to feed an infant, a safe and nutritious substitute for breast milk is needed for infants who are not breast-fed. Labelling information on infant formula (IF) products aims to enable caregivers (who have already made the decision to use IF) to make informed product choices. Yet, there is limited data on how caregivers understand and use the information provided on IF packaging. The present study aimed to increase understanding of caregivers’ interpretation and use of the following label elements on IF products: the nutrition information statement; the ingredients list; and statements around nutrition content and health claims.DesignQualitative data were obtained from twenty-one focus group discussions. To enable comparison of findings by education level and ethnicity, focus group participants were homogeneous with respect to educational attainment (Australian groups) or ethnic background (New Zealand groups).SettingFocus groups were conducted in metropolitan and regional areas of Australia and New Zealand.ParticipantsCaregivers (n 136) of formula-fed infants.ResultsFramework analysis revealed that caregivers commonly experience difficulties when using labelling information, particularly when trying to identify and understand key differences between products. Moreover, comparing products can be a complex task regardless of education level and ethnicity.ConclusionsFurther research is required to determine the most effective strategies for meeting information needs of caregivers and allowing easier identification and understanding of product differences. This is especially important given that the vast range of IF products across large price ranges in the market adds to the complexity of purchase decisions.

2021 ◽  
pp. 084456212110132
Author(s):  
Sarah J. Liptrott ◽  
Penny Bee ◽  
Karina Lovell

Background Telephone-based interventions are frequently used to address cancer patient’s needs, often delivered by nurses; however, little is known about nurses’ opinions of such interventions. Purpose The objective of this study was to investigate expert nurses’ perceptions of hemato-oncology patient’s needs, use of telephone interventions providing support and symptom management and intervention acceptability from a service provider perspective. A qualitative study was undertaken with focus group and individual interview. Inductive and deductive data analysis was performed using Framework Analysis and the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Results Two themes emerged: (1) perceived needs of haemato-oncology patients across the cancer trajectory – multifactorial influences, dynamic information needs, and continuity of care, (2) acceptability for nurses delivering interventions was determined by identification of need, agreed expectations and organisational support for the intervention. Conclusions Greater understanding of contextual factors for recipients and individuals delivering healthcare interventions may contribute to identification of potential barriers and facilitators to adoption in clinical practice.


Author(s):  
Ellen J. Bass ◽  
Andrew J. Abbate ◽  
Yaman Noaiseh ◽  
Rose Ann DiMaria-Ghalili

There is a need to support patients with monitoring liquid intake. This work addresses development of requirements for real-time and historical displays and reports with respect to fluid consumption as well as alerts based on critical clinical thresholds. We conducted focus groups with registered nurses and registered dietitians in order to identify the information needs and alerting criteria to support fluid consumption measurement. This paper presents results of the focus group data analysis and the related requirements resulting from the analysis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabelle Celentano ◽  
Rachel L. Winer ◽  
Sou Hyun Jang ◽  
Anisa Ibrahim ◽  
Farah Bille Mohamed ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake is low among East African adolescents in the US. Adolescents’ preferences influence HPV vaccine decisions, yet few interventions exist that address East African adolescents’ beliefs about HPV vaccines. We describe a multi-step process on how to create a theory-based comic book by integrating empirical findings, theory and focus group data from East African parents in the US. Methods Our multi-methods process included conducting focus groups with Somali, Ethiopian, and Eritrean mothers (n = 30) to understand mothers and adolescents socio-cultural beliefs and information needs about the HPV vaccine, creating comic book messages integrating the focus group findings, and assessing the acceptability of the finalized comic book among Somali, Ethiopian, and Eritrean adolescents (n = 134). Results We identified categories around socio-cultural beliefs (such ethnic representation and concerns about pork gelatin in vaccines), HPV vaccine information needs, and diffusion of information. We then mapped the categories to theoretical constructs and operationalized them into the comic book. Finally, we describe the overall acceptability of the comic book and specifics on comic book structure, appeal of characters, and message relevance. Conclusions A rigorous multi-step process that integrates theory and focus group data can help create culturally appropriate health messages that can educate and appeal to the community.


2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 252
Author(s):  
Philip Cass

Review of: Politics and the Media, edited by Babak Bahador, Geoff Kemp, Kate McMillan and Chris Rudd. Auckland: Pearson, 2013. ISBN 978144255826A generaton after the capitalist roaders took over the New Zealand Labour Party, the country’s political landscape is bleak. As described in this new book, it is one in which no political party is interested in any ideology except staying in power, no party will do anything that might offend a focus group, PR hacks control policy, political party membership has all but disappeared, the public is almost totally disengaged and most of the media has neither the time, the skill nor the inclination to cover politics.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samit Dutta ◽  
Deval Patel

Purpose – Liberalization of trade, globalization and development in food science and technology has resulted in an increase in trade and consumption of pre-packaged foods. Reading food labelling information is important to assist in making informed choices of food. This study determined level of awareness on pre-packaged food labelling information among consumers in Anand city of Gujarat, India, their perception on the importance of such information and various factors influencing in reading and using food labels. Design/methodology/approach – A semi structured questionnaire was used to collect information from consumers who were found purchasing prepackaged foods in selected modern format retail stores. The obtained data were computed to determine relationships and associations between various factors and the use of food labelling information among consumers in the area of study. Findings – Study revealed that 86.7 per cent of the study participants reported to read labeling information prior purchase of pre-packaged foods. However, only a third of respondents were very much informed about food labelling and computed awareness scores. It was observed that level of education and gender difference had statistically significant association with awareness scores and perception of importance of food labelling. 83.3 per cent of respondents mentioned price of food as the factor for motivating them to read food label before purchase of the food item. Practical implications – Deliberate efforts may be needed to improve food labelling, provide education to consumers to raise their awareness on importance of reading and use of food labelling information to make an informed choice of the food. Originality/value – Determines level of awareness about labelling information among consumers of pre-packaged food products.


2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Lalor ◽  
Ciara Madden ◽  
Kenneth McKenzie ◽  
Patrick G. Wall

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e032166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kehinde Okunade ◽  
Kennedy Bashan Nkhoma ◽  
Omolola Salako ◽  
David Akeju ◽  
Bassey Ebenso ◽  
...  

IntroductionPalliative care is a clinically and cost‐effective component of cancer services in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite the significant need for palliative cancer care in SSA, coverage remains inadequate. The exploration of digital health approaches could support increases in the quality and reach of palliative cancer care services in SSA. However, there is currently a lack of any theoretical underpinning or data to understand stakeholder drivers for digital health components in this context. This project addresses this gap through engaging with key stakeholders to determine data and information needs that could be supported through digital health interventions.Methods and analysisThis is a multicountry, cross-sectional, qualitative study conducted in Nigeria, Uganda and Zimbabwe. In-depth interviews will be conducted in patients with advanced cancer (n=20), caregivers (n=15), health professionals (n=20) and policy-makers (n=10) in each of the three participating countries. Data from a total of 195 interviews will transcribed verbatim and translated into English before being imported into NVivo software for deductive framework analysis. The analysis will seek to understand the acceptability and define mechanisms of patient-level data capture and usage via digital technologies.Ethics and disseminationEthics approvals have been obtained from the Institutional Review Boards of University of Leeds (Ref: MREC 18–032), Research Council of Zimbabwe (Ref: 03507), Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe (Ref: MRCZ/A/2421), Uganda Cancer Institute (Ref: 19–2018), Uganda National Council of Science and Technology (Ref: HS325ES) and College of Medicine University of Lagos (Ref: HREC/15/04/2015). The project seeks to determine optimal mechanisms for the design and development of subsequent digital health interventions to support development, access to, and delivery of palliative cancer care in SSA. Dissemination of these findings will occur through newsletters and press releases, conference presentations, peer-reviewed journals and social media.Trial registration numberISRCTN15727711


2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary R. Yan ◽  
Dave Brown ◽  
Andrew Parsons ◽  
Gillian A. Whalley ◽  
Naziham Hamid ◽  
...  

Taste appeal, sustainable ingredients and valid health claims are challenges for successful marketing of healthier food products. This study was designed to compare the effects of branding, ingredients and nutrition information on consumer liking towards a prototype of the Nothing Else healthier snack bar with the top three brands of New Zealand snack bars, and another product with a good nutrient profiling score. Sixty-four consumers were recruited to evaluate the five snack bars. Participants initially blind-rated on visual analogue scales their liking scores in relation to colour, taste, flavour, texture and overall liking. Packaging for the products was then presented alongside each of the five products and participants rated their liking scores for a second time. Participants also ranked the five products from 1 to 5 for healthiness, taste, naturalness, and purchase intent if prices were the same. In both blind and informed tests, the Nothing Else bar was the least liked snack bar among all the tested samples. However, after the packaging for the products was presented, overall liking of the Nothing Else bar increased by 14% (<em>p </em>= 0.023), while overall liking for the four commercial products were unchanged. While the most popular commercial bar was ranked the highest for taste and purchase intent, the Nothing Else bar was ranked the highest for the healthiness and naturalness. Our findings confirmed that the branding and health related nutrition information could improve consumer liking and brand perception particularly if backed by marketing.


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