scholarly journals COVID RADAR app: Description and validation of population surveillance of symptoms and behavior in relation to COVID-19

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0253566
Author(s):  
Willian J. van Dijk ◽  
Nicholas H. Saadah ◽  
Mattijs E. Numans ◽  
Jiska J. Aardoom ◽  
Tobias N. Bonten ◽  
...  

Background Monitoring of symptoms and behavior may enable prediction of emerging COVID-19 hotspots. The COVID Radar smartphone app, active in the Netherlands, allows users to self-report symptoms, social distancing behaviors, and COVID-19 status daily. The objective of this study is to describe the validation of the COVID Radar. Methods COVID Radar users are asked to complete a daily questionnaire consisting of 20 questions assessing their symptoms, social distancing behavior, and COVID-19 status. We describe the internal and external validation of symptoms, behavior, and both user-reported COVID-19 status and state-reported COVID-19 case numbers. Results Since April 2nd, 2020, over 6 million observations from over 250,000 users have been collected using the COVID Radar app. Almost 2,000 users reported having tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Amongst users testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, the proportion of observations reporting symptoms was higher than that of the cohort as a whole in the week prior to a positive SARS-CoV-2 test. Likewise, users who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 showed above average risk social-distancing behavior. Per-capita user-reported SARS-CoV-2 positive tests closely matched government-reported per-capita case counts in provinces with high user engagement. Discussion The COVID Radar app allows voluntarily self-reporting of COVID-19 related symptoms and social distancing behaviors. Symptoms and risk behavior increase prior to a positive SARS-CoV-2 test, and user-reported case counts match closely with nationally-reported case counts in regions with high user engagement. These results suggest the COVID Radar may be a valid instrument for future surveillance and potential predictive analytics to identify emerging hotspots.

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 713-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin S Hagger ◽  
Stephanie R Smith ◽  
Jacob J Keech ◽  
Susette A Moyers ◽  
Kyra Hamilton

Abstract Background Social distancing is a key behavior to minimize COVID-19 infections. Identification of potentially modifiable determinants of social distancing behavior may provide essential evidence to inform social distancing behavioral interventions. Purpose The current study applied an integrated social cognition model to identify the determinants of social distancing behavior, and the processes involved, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods In a prospective correlational survey study, samples of Australian (N = 365) and U.S. (N = 440) residents completed online self-report measures of social cognition constructs (attitude, subjective norm, moral norm, anticipated regret, and perceived behavioral control [PBC]), intention, action planning, habit, and past behavior with respect to social distancing behavior at an initial occasion. Follow-up measures of habit and social distancing behavior were taken 1 week later. Results Structural equation models indicated that subjective norm, moral norm, and PBC were consistent predictors of intention in both samples. Intention, action planning, and habit at follow-up were consistent predictors of social distancing behavior in both samples. Action planning did not have consistent effects mediating or moderating the intention–behavior relationship. Inclusion of past behavior in the model attenuated effects among constructs, although the effects of the determinants of intention and behavior remained. Conclusions Current findings highlight the importance of subjective norm, moral obligation, and PBC as determinants of social distancing intention and intention and habit as behavioral determinants. Future research on long-range predictors of social distancing behavior and reciprocal effects in the integrated model is warranted.


Crisis ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 134-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher R. DeCou ◽  
Stephanie P. Kaplan ◽  
Julie Spencer ◽  
Shannon M. Lynch

Abstract. Background and Aim: This study evaluated trauma-related shame as a mediator of the association between sexual assault severity and perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. Method: A total of 164 female undergraduates who reported attempted or completed sexual assault completed self-report measures of sexual assault, trauma-related shame, perceived burdensomeness, and thwarted belongingness. Results: Using path analysis, trauma-related shame mediated the association between sexual assault severity and perceived burdensomeness, and between sexual assault severity and thwarted belongingness. Limitations: The findings of this study are limited by the retrospective, self-report, and cross-sectional nature of these data, and do not allow for causal inference. Conclusion: Trauma-related shame warrants additional investigation as a mechanism that explains the association between sexual assault and psychosocial risk factors for suicidal ideation and behavior.


2021 ◽  
pp. 014544552110217
Author(s):  
Jake Linardon ◽  
Teagan King ◽  
Adrian Shatte ◽  
Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz

Despite their promise as a scalable intervention modality for binge eating and related problems, reviews show that engagement of app-based interventions is variable. Issues with usability may account for this. App developers should undertake usability testing so that any problems can be identified and fixed prior to dissemination. We conducted a qualitative usability evaluation of a newly-developed app for binge eating in 14 individuals with a diagnostic- or subthreshold-level binge eating symptoms. Participants completed a semi-structured interview and self-report measures. Qualitative data were organized into six themes: usability, visual design, user engagement, content, therapeutic persuasiveness, and therapeutic alliance. Qualitative and quantitative results indicated that the app demonstrated good usability. Key advantages reported were its flexible content-delivery formats, level of interactivity, easy-to-understand information, and ability to track progress. Concerns with visual aesthetics and lack of professional feedback were raised. Findings will inform the optimal design of app-based interventions for eating disorder symptoms.


Author(s):  
Lukasz D. Kaczmarek ◽  
Todd B. Kashdan ◽  
Maciej Behnke ◽  
Martyna Dziekan ◽  
Ewelina Matuła ◽  
...  

AbstractWhen individuals communicate enthusiasm for good events in their partners' lives, they contribute to a high-quality relationship; a phenomenon termed interpersonal capitalization. However, little is known when individuals are more ready to react enthusiastically to the partner's success. To address this gap, we examined whether positive and negative emotions boost or inhibit enthusiastic responses to partner's capitalization attempts (RCA). Participants (N = 224 individuals) responded to their partner's success. Before each capitalization attempt (operationalized as responses following the news that their partner won money in a game), we used video clips to elicit positive (primarily amusement) or negative (primarily anger) or neutral emotions in the responder. We recorded emotional valence, smiling intensity, verbal RCA, and physiological reactivity. We found indirect (but not direct) effects such that eliciting positive emotions boosted and negative emotions inhibited enthusiastic RCA (smiling intensity and enthusiastic verbal RCA). These effects were relatively small and mediated by emotional valence and smiling intensity but not physiological reactivity. The results offer novel evidence that positive emotions fuel the capitalization process.


1997 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra L. Gibbons ◽  
Vicki Ebbeck

This study examined the effectiveness of social learning (SL) or structural developmental (SD) teaching strategies on the moral development of elementary-age students. Participants were 204 physical education students in Grades 4,5, and 6; three classrooms in each grade were randomly assigned to control, SL, or SD groups. Self-report measures assessed moral judgment, reason, and intention; teachers rated prosocial behavior. By mid- and postintervention class-level analyses, the SL and SD groups scored significantly higher than the control on moral judgment and/or intention; by postintervention, the SD group was significantly higher on moral reason. Mid- and postintervention student-level analyses showed that the SL and SD groups scored significantly higher on moral judgment, intention, and behavior; the SD group was significantly higher on moral reason. These results provide support for the effectiveness of both social learning and structural-developmental teaching strategies on the moral development of children in physical education.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Omorodion Okuonghae

Purpose The increasing importance of digital content creation in relation to content marketing and promotion of library and information services in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has attracted global attention. Thus, the purpose of this study is to theoretically examine librarians’ role in the creation of digital content in the 4IR. Design/methodology/approach This study used the review method to theoretically examine the nexus between digital content creation and librarians’ role in the 4IR. Findings This study showed that librarians are well positioned to become professional digital content creation, as they already possess the basic skills needed to create effective content for high user engagement. Originality/value This study seeks to pioneer a new area of focus by linking librarians’ skills to digital content creation skills and making a case for librarians as the perfect digital content creator.


1981 ◽  
pp. 269-285
Author(s):  
Charles S. Carver ◽  
Michael F. Scheier
Keyword(s):  

F1000Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 1878 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christelle Chrea ◽  
Catherine Acquadro ◽  
Esther F. Afolalu ◽  
Erica Spies ◽  
Thomas Salzberger ◽  
...  

Background. Determining the public health impact of tobacco harm reduction strategies requires the assessment of consumer perception and behavior associated with tobacco and nicotine products (TNPs) with different exposure and risk profiles. In this context, rigorous methods to develop and validate psychometrically sound self-report instruments to measure consumers’ responses to TNPs are needed. Methods. Consistent with best practice guidelines, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s “Guidance for Industry Patient-Reported Outcome Measures: Use in Medical Product Development to Support Labeling Claims,” scientifically designed, fit-for-purpose, reliable, and valid instruments are now being applied to tobacco regulatory research. Results. This brief report presents the ABOUT™ Toolbox (Assessment of Behavioral OUtcomes related to Tobacco and nicotine products) initiative. This communication: (1) describes the methodological steps followed for the development and validation of the measurement instruments included in the ABOUT™ Toolbox, (2) presents a summary of the high-priority tobacco-related domains that are currently covered in the ABOUT™ Toolbox (i.e., risk perception, dependence, product experience, health and functioning, and use history), and (3) details how the measurement instruments are made accessible to the scientific community. Conclusions. By making the ABOUT™ Toolbox available to the tobacco research and public health community, we envision a rapidly expanding knowledge base, with the goals of (1) supporting consumer perception and behavior research to allow comparisons across a wide spectrum of TNPs, (2) enabling public health and regulatory communities to make better-informed decisions for future regulation of TNPs, and (3) enhancing surveillance activities associated with the impact of TNPs on population health.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 6-13
Author(s):  
Reeta Devi ◽  
Bimla Kapoor ◽  
M. Meghachandra Singh

Background: There is changing epidemiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus in India. Few studies have reported prevalence of self reported diabetes in Delhi. Aims and Objectives: To assess the prevalence of self–reported Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and find out its association with socio-economic-demographic factors among adults above 20 years in a residential area of Delhi. Materials and Methods: This was a community based cross-sectional study done in a residential area of East Delhi. The subjects were identified by door to door survey based onavailable records and self-report. They were interviewed using a pre-tested interview schedule with items on socio-economic and demographic characteristics. Chi-square test was used for qualitative data. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to find out associated factors with T2DM. Odds ratio (95% CI) was calculated. ‘p’ < 0.05 considered significant.Results: The self-reported prevalence of T2DM was 8.5% (461/5444) among 20 years andabove population. It was more in males (9.1%) than females (7.8%), highest (25%) in primary educated, least (7.3%) in graduates and above (p<0.001). Age-specific prevalence was maximum (22.4% in 60-69 years), least (0.2%) in 20-29 years (p<0.001). Occupation wise, maximum (19.2%) was in retired and least (0.7%) in unemployed (p<0.001). The associated factors were: age 50 years and above (OR 6.99, 95% CI 5.4-8.9), males (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.07-1.65), secondary education (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.05-1.84), unemployed (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.15-1.83), per capita per month income Indian Rupees (INR) 20001 and above (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.10-1.75). Conclusion: Self-reported prevalence of T2DM was 8.5%, more among males, >50 years, retired, secondary educated and with per capita income per month of Rs 20001 and above. It is necessary to create awareness among the people to identify, manage and prevent T2DM.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.7(4) 2016 6-13


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