scholarly journals Enhancing Asthma Patients' Self-Management through Smartphone-Based Application: Design, Usability Evaluation, and Educational Intervention

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (05) ◽  
pp. 870-878 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehrdad Farzandipour ◽  
Ehsan Nabovati ◽  
Marzieh Heidarzadeh Arani ◽  
Hossein Akbari ◽  
Reihane Sharif ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to design and evaluate a smartphone-based application for improving self-management in patients with asthma and evaluate its effects on their knowledge. Methods In this applied research, based on the Clinical Practice Guideline and a systematic review, a questionnaire was designed to determine the application information content and functionality requirements by 15 pediatric and adult asthma and allergy specialist. Then the application was designed and developed using Adobe Air software on the Android operating system. Usability evaluation of the mobile application was performed using the standard questionnaire for user interaction satisfaction (QUIS), which completed by 30 patients with asthma, 8 information technology (IT) specialists, and 2 asthma and allergy specialists. Self-management knowledge of 30 asthma patients was measured using a researcher-made questionnaire before and after using the application. Results The number of specialists in the both Delphi rounds was 15 and the mean work experiences were 17.6 years. The most important elements for asthma self-management were avoiding exposure to allergen and triggers (96%), drug treatment (94.6%), and how to use the therapeutic tools (92.4%), and the most important functionalities were alerting the patients when they did not control asthma (92%), setting reminders for timely drug use (85.4%) and therapeutic tools (82.6%), recording prescription drugs (82.6%), and peak flow meter values (82%). Usability evaluation showed that 30 patients with asthma, 8 IT specialists, and 2 physicians evaluated the application at a “good” level. The mean score of the patients' knowledge before intervention was 2.43 ± 0.95 which after intervention was significantly increased to 4.3 ± 0.56 (p < 0.001). Conclusion Considering the desirable outcomes of application evaluation and a positive impact of this educational intervention on asthma patients' knowledge, it is possible to use mobile-based self-management programs to help these patients to manage illness and gain knowledge and self-management skills.

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
Samsuwatd Zuha Mohd Abbas ◽  
Norli Ali ◽  
Aminah Mohd Abbas

This paper examines the accounting performance of the Islamic banking among (??) commercial banks in Malaysia. A total of 18 commercial banks which include 4 Islamic banks are selected as samples covering the period of 2000 - 2006. Accounting performance is measured by the return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). The objective of the study is (1) to determine whether Islamic banking performance is at par with the conventional banking and (2) to investigate whether the type (Islamic or conventional bank) and age of bank influence the performance. Result of the independence t-test of the study shows that there is no significant difference in the performance of the Islamic and the conventional banking in Malaysia although the mean score for conventional banking is higher. The regression results show that the age of banks has a positive impact on the bank performance where as none of the types of banks influence performance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e001934
Author(s):  
Anne M Doherty ◽  
Anne Herrmann-Werner ◽  
Arann Rowe ◽  
Jennie Brown ◽  
Scott Weich ◽  
...  

IntroductionThis study examines the feasibility of conducting diabetes-focused cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) via a secure online real-time instant messaging system intervention to support self-management and improve glycemic control in people with type 1 diabetes.Research design and methodsWe used a pre–post uncontrolled intervention design over 12 months. We recruited adults with type 1 diabetes and suboptimal glycemic control (HbA1c ≥69 mmol/mol (DCCT 8.5%) for 12 months) across four hospitals in London. The intervention comprised 10 sessions of diabetes-focused CBT delivered by diabetes specialist nurses. The primary outcomes were number of eligible patients, rates of recruitment and follow-up, number of sessions completed and SD of the main outcome measure, change in HbA1c over 12 months. We measured the feasibility of collecting secondary outcomes, that is, depression measured using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), anxiety measured Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and the Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS).ResultsWe screened 3177 patients, of whom 638 were potentially eligible, from whom 71 (11.1%) were recruited. The mean age was 28.1 (13.1) years, and the mean HbA1c was 84.6 mmol/mol (17.8), DCCT 9.9%. Forty-six (65%) patients had at least 1 session and 29 (41%) completed all sessions. There was a significant reduction in HbA1c over 12 months (mean difference −6.2 (2.3) mmol/mol, DCCT 0.6%, p=0.038). The change scores in PHQ-9, GAD and DDS also improved.ConclusionsIt would be feasible to conduct a full-scale text-based synchronized real-time diabetes-focused CBT as an efficacy randomized controlled trial.


Background: Post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) continues to be among the main concerns after general anesthesia, impacting approximately 30% of all postoperative patients. PONV is still reported by patients as their most distressing post-surgical outcome even surpassing that of pain. In spite of the presence of PONV prophylaxis guidelines and the availability of multimodal and novel anti-emetics, it is clear that these guidelines are poorly applied with insufficient prescription of pre-emptive anti-emetics. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of educational intervention with general surgeons and anesthesiologists on prophylactic antiemetic prescribing practice. Methods: An interventional study was carried out at Al-Sader Medical City/ Al-Najaf province/ Iraq. In the observational phase of the study, patients were selected from the general surgery ward to observe the baseline prescribing pattern of the prophylactic anti-emetics and PONV incidence among them. After implementing the educational program, another group (interventional group) of patients was taken to see if there was any alteration in the practice of pre-emptive anti-emetics prescription and the incidence of PONV. Results: Two groups each of 50 patients were enrolled, namely, observational group and interventional group. In the observational group, only 7 patients (14%) received preoperative prophylactic anti-emetics compared to 24 patients (48%) in the interventional group, (P<0.001). No statistically relevant difference was observed in the use of post-operative anti-emetics. The incidence of PONV within the first 24 hours was significantly lower among the interventional patients’ group, (28%) versus (54%) before the educational intervention, (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study revealed that the educational program done by the researcher has a positive impact on the prescription of pre-operative prophylactic anti-emetics with subsequent reduction in PONV incidence.


2020 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Chrzan-Rodak ◽  
Barbara Ślusarska ◽  
Grzegorz Nowicki ◽  
Alina Deluga ◽  
Agnieszka Bartoszek

Introduction: Social competences are indispensable in occupations reliant on interpersonal interactions, such as in medical professions, e.g. nursing, conditioning not only the effective construction of interpersonal relationships, but ever more often emphasizing a positive impact on strengthening coping skills in stressful situations. The object of our study was to assess the connection of social competences with the sense of general mental health and intensity of stress in the group of nurses.Materials and methods: In the study took part 291 nurses (ages 23–63, mean job seniority 11 years, SD = 10.22). We used the Social Competence Questionnaire (KKS) according to Anna Matczak, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), as adapted by Zygfryd Juczyński and Nina Ogińska-Bulik, and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) in the adaptation of Zofia Makowska and Dorota Merecz to collect information for the study.Results: Stress intensity among respondents averaged 16.83 points (SD = 4.47). In the 4 analyzed indicators of the GHQ-28, the mean point score was: somatic symptoms M = 8.45, anxiety and insomnia M = 8.75, functional disorders M = 8.07, depression symptoms M = 2.46. 38.1% of the results of the level of general mental health were in the range 5–6, which is the average level of mental health perceived in the group of nurses.Conclusions: The level of perceived stress among more than half of the surveyed group of nurses was average (52.6%). The level of social competences is not significantly correlated with the intensity of stress experienced. The level of general mental health of 38.1% of the nurses fell in the range of average. The level of social competences significantly correlates with the general mental health status of the nurse respondents (R = -0.254, p < 0.001).


Salmand ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 324-337
Author(s):  
Amin Mirzaei ◽  
◽  
Ali Ramezankhani ◽  
Parisa Taheri Tanjani ◽  
Mohtasham Ghaffari ◽  
...  

Objectives: Health literacy is one of the most important social determinants of elderly health. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the educational intervention on knowledge, attitude, and nutritional behaviors of the elderly with adequate health literacy and inadequate health literacy. Methods & Materials: An experimental study was conducted with 192 people 60 years and older in Ilam Province, Iran, from May to September 2016. The elderly were assigned into four groups (48 subjects in each group), including two intervention groups with adequate and inadequate health literacy and two control groups with sufficient and insufficient health literacy. The elderly nutrition education program consisted of four lecture sessions with questions and answers, along with an elderly nutrition manual for the intervention group. The level of health literacy among the elderly was assessed using functional health literacy in adults. The level of knowledge, attitude, and nutritional behaviors was assessed using a researcher-made questionnaire in two stages before and two months after the educational intervention. The SPSS V. 21 was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics and the Chi-square, paired t test, and Fisher exact test were used for data analysis. Results: The Mean±SD age of the men was 61.24±2.38 years, and the mean±SD age of women was 61.35±2.45 years. The majority of men with adequate health literacy were men (84.37%), while the proportion of men and women in those with inadequate health literacy was almost the same. All participants with adequate health literacy and 89.58% of those with inadequate health literacy were married. After the educational intervention, the mean scores of knowledge, attitude, and behavior in the intervention group with adequate health literacy increased significantly (P≤0.013, P≤0.015, and P<0.001, respectively). In the intervention group with inadequate health literacy, only the knowledge mean score after the intervention showed a significant increase (P≤0.035). However, there was no significant change in the mean scores of knowledge, attitude, and behavior in both control groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: According to the study Results, the effectiveness of the educational intervention in relation to nutrition of the elderly is significantly influenced by the level of health literacy.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sakineh Rakhshanderou ◽  
Maryam Maghsoudloo ◽  
Ali Safari-Moradabadi ◽  
Mohtasham Ghaffari

Abstract Background: According to the WHO, most chronic diseases, including cancer, can be prevented by identifying their risk factors such as unhealthy diet, smoking and physical inactivity. This research examined the effectiveness of a theory-based educational intervention on colorectal cancer-related preventive nutritional behaviors among a sample of organizational staff. Methods: In this interventional study, 110 employees of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences were randomly divided into two groups (intervention and control) with cluster sampling. The data gathering tool was a researcher-made questionnaire containing two parts of 10-dimensional information and health belief model constructs. The educational intervention was conducted for one month and in four sessions in the form of classroom lecture, pamphlet, educational text messages via mobile phones and educational pamphlets through the office automation system. Two groups were evaluated in two stages, pre-test and post-test. Data were analyzed using SPSS-18 software, analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and independent t-test (intergroup comparisons). Results: Two groups were evaluated for variables such as age, sex, education level and family history of colorectal cancer, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). After the two months since intervention, except for the mean score of perceived barriers, which was not significant after intervention, the mean scores of knowledge, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived self-efficacy, behavioral intention, and preventive behaviors were significantly increased after the intervention in the intervention group compared to the control group (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Implementation of educational intervention based on health belief model was effective for the personnel, and can enhance the preventative nutritional behaviors related to colorectal cancer.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saleh Safajou ◽  
Mohsen Rezaeian ◽  
Yaser Salim Abadi ◽  
Mostafa Nasirzadeh

Abstract Background: One of the most important strategies to prevent diabetes as an important health issue in adolescents is education and awareness. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of educational intervention (EI) based on health belief model (HBM) on preventive behaviors of type 2 diabetes.Methods: The educational trial study was conducted in 2019-2020 among 143 high school male students at risk in Khash city (in southwestern Iran), using a random cluster method in two intervention and control groups. Data collection tools were demographic characteristics, knowledge, model constructs and disease prevention behaviors questionnaires. The training program was held in 7 one-hour sessions. Data were collected before, immediately and three months after the intervention and analyzed by SPSS 20 software using Chi-square, Independent t-test and Repeated Measures ANOVA at significant level of 0.05. Results: Immediately after the implementation of the training program in the intervention group, a significant increase was observed in the mean scores of knowledge, model constructs and behavior (P =0.0001). Three months after the EI, there was a significant difference between the mean scores of knowledge, perceived barriers, Cues to action and behavior between the two groups (p <0.05).Conclusion: Considering the effect of EI based on HBM on the promotion of diabetes prevention behaviors in students, the design, implementation and evaluation of theory-based EIs in the control and prevention of diabetes in adolescents is recommended.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nur Faiezah Mohamad Hanafiah ◽  
Siti Fadzilah Mat Noor ◽  
Hazura Mohamed

The hybrid method of video and 360° image in silat learning is the solution of video based learning issues on the minimum of interactive activities, lack of interaction between user and video and limited point of view. The aim of this research is to identify the effectiveness of silat learning courseware using the hybrid method of video and 360° image towards students' achievement in silat subject. This research is also done to identify the usability of silat learning courseware based on easy to learn, interface and satisfaction matrixes. Pre-test and post-test were conducted to measure students' achievement while usability questionnaire was used to measure the usability of silat learning courseware using the hybrid method of video and 360° image. The research found that silat learning courseware using the hybrid method of video and 360° image gave positive impact towards students' achievement in silat subject. The level of usability of the silat learning courseware is high with the mean score for all the matrixes is over 4.00. This research shows that the usage of multimedia courseware especially using the hybrid method of video and 360° image is useful for students, help them to increase their achievement in silat and encourage the usage of multimedia based learning in silat learning in Malaysia.


Author(s):  
Golnaz Azami ◽  
Soh Kim Lam ◽  
Sazlina Shariff-Ghazali ◽  
Salmiah Mohd Said ◽  
Sanaz Aazami ◽  
...  

Objective: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic condition that requires consistent medical care to help control glycemic indices. Diabetes self-management is found to be essential for optimal glycemic control. This study aimed to investigate the predictors of diabetes self-management in adult with T2DM. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. A purposive sample of 142 adults with T2DM attended an outpatient endocrine clinic in an academic hospital in Ilam, Iran was invited to participate in this study from September to October 2016. The data were collected using a combination of validated questionnaires and the blood sample. IBM SPSS software version 22 used to conduct the analysis. Hierarchical linear regression analysis with the stepwise method was used to explore the predictors of diabetes self-management.  Results: The mean age of participants was 54.2 ± (11.8) years. The mean duration of diabetes was 8.9 ± (7.4). Hierarchical linear regression analysis determined that self-management behaviors had positive relationship with efficacy expectation (B= 0.445, P-value< 0.01), quality of life (B= 0.222, P-value= 0.02), and has a negative relationship with HbA1c (B= -0.194, P-value= 0.01).  Conclusion: The result of our study indicate that better diabetes self-management behaviors can be predicted by higher efficacy expectation, the better quality of life and lower HbA1c levels. Future interventions should focus on enhancing efficacy expectation, quality of life and optimizing glycemic control to improve self-management of diabetes.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Uzark ◽  
Cynthia Smith ◽  
Sunkyung Yu ◽  
Janet Donohue ◽  
Katherine Afton ◽  
...  

Objective: Transition is defined as “the process by which adolescents and young adults with chronic childhood illnesses are prepared to take charge of their lives and their health in adulthood”. We previously reported common knowledge deficits and lack of transition readiness (TR) in 13-25 year olds with congenital or acquired heart disease. The aims of this study were to re-evaluate TR in these patients at follow-up (F/U) and to examine the relationship between changes in TR and quality of life (QOL). Methods: Patients (n=106) completed the TR Assessment and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) utilizing an e-tablet, web-based format at a routine F/U clinic visit. Changes from initial to F/U scores were evaluated. Results: Median patient age was 18.7 yrs at a median F/U time of 1.02 yrs. Average perceived knowledge deficit score (% of items with no knowledge) at F/U was 18.0 ± 15.2%, decreased from 24.7 ± 16.5%, p<.0001. On a 100-point scale, the mean score for self-efficacy increased from 71.4 ± 17.0 to 76.7 ± 18.2 (p=.004) and for self-management increased from 47.9 ± 18.4 to 52.0 ± 20.7 (p=.0004). While physical QOL did not change, the mean psychosocial QOL score increased significantly from 80.2 ± 13.3 to 82.5 ± 12.0, p=.02. A decrease in knowledge deficit score at F/U was significantly associated with an increased psychosocial QOL score, p=.03. An increase in self-efficacy score was associated with an increase in psychosocial QOL score (p=.04), especially social QOL (p=.02). Among patients who reported receiving specific information after initial TR assessment, knowledge deficits decreased related to medication (p=.002), symptoms to call for (p=.02), how to contact heart doctor (p=.02), and health insurance (p=.10). Self-efficacy scores improved in patients reporting receipt of information regarding how to contact the heart doctor (p=.06) and how to communicate with healthcare team (p=.05). Conclusion: While deficits in knowledge and self-management skills persist, TR assessment and recognition of deficits can improve transition readiness with improved psychosocial QOL. Routine TR assessment is important to identify transition needs. Further studies are needed to examine the relationship between TR and outcomes in young adults with heart disease.


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