scholarly journals Factors associated with using the internet for medical information based on the doctor-patient trust model: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Fu ◽  
Tianwei Tang ◽  
Junhao Long ◽  
Bohuai Lin ◽  
Jiayue Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Internet medical care has been advancing steadily, especially during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the development momentum of Internet medical care in China is more vigorous. This study aimed to explore the factors associated with using the Internet for medical information, to examine the popularisation and implementation of Internet medical treatment and feasible strategies, and promote the further development of Internet medical treatment. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 408 medical patients who had used online medical services. The one-way analysis of variance or independent samples t-test was used to compare the differences in the influence of demographic characteristics on behavioural intentions of different people seeking medical care. Pearson’s correlation was used to evaluate the correlation between different measurement variables. A mediation regression analysis was used to explore the mediating role of trust in Internet medical care. Results The difference in the influence of Internet medical use frequency on the behavioural intention of different participants was statistically significant (F = 3.311, P = 0.038). Among the influencing factors, personal trust propensity (r = 0.387, P < 0.01), website credibility (r = 0.662, P < 0.01), hospital credibility (r = 0.629, P < 0.01), doctor’s credibility (r = 0.746, P < 0.01), and online patient trust (r = 0.874, P < 0.01) were positively correlated with patients’ behavioural intentions. In the analysis of intermediary factors, the total effect of the credibility of the diagnosis and treatment website on the behavioural intention of patients was 0.344. The total effect of the credibility of the diagnosis and treatment hospital on the behavioural intention of patients was 0.312; the total effect of the service doctor’s credibility on the patient’s behavioural intention was 0.385; the total effect of the personal trust tendency on the patient’s behavioural intention was 0.296. Conclusions This study found defects in various factors that produce distrust in Internet medical treatment. It also reveals the positive effect of trust factors on the development and implementation of Internet medical treatment and provides some ideas for improving the use of Internet medical treatment by the masses.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Soriano-Moreno ◽  
Daniel Fernandez-Guzman ◽  
Fabricio Ccami-Bernal ◽  
Cristhian Rojas-Miliano ◽  
Wendy Nieto-Gutierrez

Abstract Background Chlorine dioxide has been promoted as an alternative for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, especially in Peru, despite the lack of evidence to support its efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with chlorine dioxide consumption in the Peruvian population. Methods Analytical cross-sectional study. An adult Peruvian population was evaluated where chlorine dioxide consumption was divided into two groups according to the purpose of use: as prevention (individuals without COVID-19 history) and as treatment (individuals with COVID-19 history). The associated factors in each group were evaluated using Poisson regressions with the bootstrapping resampling method. Results Of 3610 participants included, 3213 reported no history of COVID-19, and 397 had been infected. The prevalence of chlorine dioxide consumption to prevent or treat COVID-19 was 8 and 16%, respectively. Factors either positively or negatively associated with chlorine dioxide consumption for prevention were male sex (aPR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.09–1.71), being an adult or older adult (aPR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.35–0.82), having a health sciences student within the family unit (aPR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.02–1.87), using medical information as the main source of information of COVID-19 (aPR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.40–0.80), having comorbidities for COVID-19 (aPR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.01–1.82), considering COVID-19 dangerous and deadly (aPR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.45–0.74), using medications (aPR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.25–2.06) and plants to prevent COVID-19 (aPR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.21–2.36), considering chlorine dioxide ineffective (aPR: 0.18; 95% CI: 0.18–0.24), and being uninformed of its efficacy (aPR: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.16–0.28). In addition, factors associated with chlorine dioxide consumption for treatment were considering COVID-19 dangerous and deadly (aPR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.33–0.96), considering chlorine dioxide ineffective (aPR: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.12–0.42), and being uninformed of its efficacy (aPR: 0.15; 95% CI: 0.07–0.32). Conclusions The prevalence of chlorine dioxide consumption to treat COVID-19 was higher than prevent. It is important to apply information strategies, prioritizing population groups with certain characteristics that are associated with a higher consumption pattern.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. e007051
Author(s):  
Sabuj Kanti Mistry ◽  
ARM Mehrab Ali ◽  
Uday Narayan Yadav ◽  
Md. Nazmul Huda ◽  
Saruna Ghimire ◽  
...  

BackgroundCOVID-19 has seriously disrupted health services in many countries including Bangladesh. This research aimed to explore whether Rohingya (forcefully displaced Myanmar nationals) older adults in Bangladesh faced difficulties accessing medicines and routine medical care services amid this pandemic.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among 416 Rohingya older adults aged 60 years and above residing in Rohingya refugee camps situated in the Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh and was conducted in October 2020. A purposive sampling technique was followed, and participants’ perceived difficulties in accessing medicines and routine medical care were noted through face-to-face interviews. Binary logistic regression models determined the association between outcome and explanatory variables.ResultsOverall, one-third of the participants reported difficulties in accessing medicines and routine medical care. Significant factors associated with facing difficulties accessing medicine included feelings of loneliness (adjusted OR (AOR) 3.54, 95% CI 1.93 to 6.48), perceptions that older adults were at the highest risk of COVID-19 (AOR 3.35, 95% CI 1.61 to 6.97) and required additional care during COVID-19 (AOR 6.89, 95% CI 3.62 to 13.13). Also, the notable factors associated with difficulties in receiving routine medical care included living more than 30 min walking distance from the health centre (AOR 3.57, 95% CI 1.95 to 6.56), feelings of loneliness (AOR 2.20, 95% CI 1.25 to 3.87), perception that older adults were at the highest risk of COVID-19 (AOR 2.85, 95% CI 1.36 to 5.99) and perception that they required additional care during the pandemic (AOR 4.55, 95% CI 2.48 to 8.35).ConclusionMany Rohingya older adults faced difficulties in accessing medicines and routine medical care during this pandemic. This call for policy-makers and relevant stakeholders to re-assess emergency preparedness plans including strategies to provide continuing care.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Soriano-Moreno ◽  
Daniel Fernandez-Guzman ◽  
Fabricio Ccami-Bernal ◽  
Cristhian Rojas-Miliano ◽  
Wendy Nieto-Gutierrez

Abstract Background: Chlorine dioxide has been promoted as an alternative for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 especially in Peru, despite the lack of evidence to support its efficacy. We aimed to evaluate the factors associated with chlorine dioxide consumption in the Peruvian population. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study. An adult Peruvian population was evaluated where chlorine dioxide consumption was divided into two groups according to the purpose of use: as prevention (individuals without COVID-19 history) and as treatment (individuals with COVID-19 history). The associated factors in each group were evaluated using Poisson regressions with the bootstrapping resampling method. Results: Of 3610 participants included, 3213 reported no history of COVID-19, and 397 had been infected. The prevalence of chlorine dioxide consumption to prevent or treat COVID-19 was 8 and 16%, respectively. Factors associated with chlorine dioxide consumption for both prevention and treatment were considering COVID-19 dangerous and lethal and considering chlorine dioxide ineffective or being uninformed of its efficacy. In addition, factors associated with the use of chlorine dioxide only as a preventive were the male sex, being an adult and older adult, having a health sciences student within the family unit, using medical information as the main source of information of COVID-19, having some comorbidity, and using medications and plants for prevention of COVID-19. Conclusions: The prevalence of chlorine dioxide consumption among the Peruvian population evaluated was high so it is important to apply information strategies, prioritizing population groups with certain characteristics that are associated with a higher consumption pattern.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Endalew Gebeyehu ◽  
Muluken Azage ◽  
Gedefaw Abeje

Background. Unknown proportions of tuberculosis cases remain undiagnosed and untreated as result of several factors which further increases the number of tuberculosis cases per index case.Objective. To identify factors associated with patient’s delay in initiating treatment of tuberculosis.Methods. Cross-sectional study was employed from January to April, 2013, in Bahir Dar Ethiopia. A total of 360 patients were included. Data were collected from tuberculosis patients using a semistructured questionnaire. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 16 windows. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with patient delay.Results. Of all patients, 211 (62%) sought medical care after the WHO recommended period (21 days). The median patient delays of smear positive, smear negative, and extrapulmonary patients were 27 (IQR: 10–59), 30 (IQR: 9–65), and 31 (IQR: 10–150) days, respectively, with statistically significant variations among them (ANOVA:F=5.96;P<0.003). Place of residence and educational status were the predictors of patient delay.Conclusion. Around two-thirds of all patients and more than half of smear positive tuberculosis patients were delayed in seeking medical care within the recommended period. Provision of DOTS service in the vicinity and health education on TB may reduce patient delay and its consequences.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. e034885
Author(s):  
Seif Nasir ◽  
Ryunosuke Goto ◽  
Akiko Kitamura ◽  
Sahar Alafeef ◽  
Ghada Ballout ◽  
...  

ObjectivesIn April 2017, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) released the electronicMaternal andChildHealth Handbook,thee-MCH Handbookapplication. One of the first mobile health (m-Health) interventions in a refugee setting, the application gives pregnant women and mothers access to educational information and health records on smartphones. This study investigated factors associated with the dissemination and implementation of m-Health in the refugee setting.Setting and participantsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 9 of 25 UNRWA health centres for Palestine refugees in Jordan. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed for 1 week to pregnant women and mothers with children aged 0–5 years.Outcome measuresThe outcomes were whether participants knew about, downloaded or used the application. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to determine factors associated with application download and usage.Results1042 participants were included in the analysis. 979 (95.5%) had a mobile phone and 862 (86.9%) had a smartphone. 499 (51.3%) knew about, 235 (23.8%) downloaded and 172 (17.4%) used the application. Having other mobile applications (OR 6.17, p<0.01), staff knowledge of the application (OR 11.82, p<0.01), using the internet as a source of medical information (OR 1.63, p=0.01) and having internet access at home (OR 1.46, p=0.05) were associated with application download. The age of the husband was associated with application usage (OR 1.04, p=0.11).ConclusionsThough m-Health may be a promising means of promoting health in refugees, multiple barriers may exist to its dissemination and implementation. Those who regularly use mobile applications and get medical information from the internet are potential targets of m-Health dissemination. For successful implementation of a m-Health intervention, health staff should have thorough knowledge of the application and users should have access to the internet. Husband-related factors may also play a role.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document