scholarly journals Understanding the usability issues in contact management of illiterate and semi-literate users

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0259719
Author(s):  
Shamaila Hayat ◽  
Aimal Rextin ◽  
Anas Bilal

The effective utilization of a communication channel like calling a person involves two steps. The first step is storing the contact information of another user, and the second step is finding contact information to initiate a voice or text communication. However, the current smartphone interfaces for contact management are mainly textual; which leaves many emergent users at a severe disadvantage in using this most basic functionality to the fullest. Previous studies indicated that less-educated users adopt various coping strategies to store and identify contacts. However, all of these studies investigated the contact management issues of these users from a qualitative angle. Although qualitative or subjective investigations are very useful, they generally need to be augmented by a quantitative investigation for a comprehensive problem understanding. This work presents an exploratory study to identify the usability issues and coping strategies in contact management by emergent users; by using a mixture of qualitative and quantitative approaches. We identified coping strategies of the Pakistani population and the effectiveness of these strategies through a semi-structured qualitative study of 15 participants and a usability study of 9 participants, respectively. We then obtained logged data of 30 emergent and 30 traditional users, including contact-books and dual-channel (call and text messages) logs to infer a more detailed understanding; and to analyse the differences in the composition of contact-books of both user groups. The analysis of the log data confirmed problems that affect the emergent users’ communication behaviour due to the various difficulties they face in storing and searching contacts. Our findings revealed serious usability issues in current communication interfaces over smartphones. The emergent users were found to have smaller contact-books and preferred voice communication due to reading/writing difficulties. They also reported taking help from others for contact saving and text reading. The alternative contact management strategies adopted by our participants include: memorizing whole number or last few digits to recall important contacts; adding special character sequence with contact numbers for better recall; writing a contact from scratch rather than searching it in the phone-book; voice search; and use of recent call logs to redial a contact. The identified coping strategies of emergent users could aid the developers and designers to come up with solutions according to emergent users’ mental models and needs.

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Arbag ◽  
M. Aluş Tokat ◽  
S Fata

Abstract Study question What are the emotions, thoughts and coping strategies of women with infertility problems on changes in treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic? Summary answer Treatment-related procedures keep changing directions, exposing the women to high level of uncertainty. Changes in treatments may be perceived as threats to achieving parenting goals. What is known already Both infertility and the treatment process constitute a stressful experience. Literature reports that couples describe infertility as the most difficult challenge to overcome in their lives. In addition, it has been reported that women experience more anxiety, stress, and depression than men during this period. Societies and individuals affected by large-scale disasters, such as global pandemics, can develop stress-related disorders. Current data indicate that closure of fertility clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a sharp increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression among patients undergoing fertility treatments and was perceived as an uncontrollable and stressful event. Study design, size, duration The research was designed as a qualitative study. The data were collected from two Internet forums between October - December 2020. Blogs most frequently used by women with infertility in Turkey were simultaneously selected. The comments of 30 women were included. Participants/materials, setting, methods Data were screened by using the directed qualitative content analysis. After selecting the blog, emotions, thoughts, and coping strategies expressed by 30 women whose treatment was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic or who continued treatment during this period were included in the analysis. The themes created were adapted to Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping. Main results and the role of chance The thematic analysis of the expression of women with infertility problems in accordance with the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping stages of Lazarus and Folkman resulted in 4 themes: psychological changes, cognitive changes, changes in social life, and coping strategies. Some women perceived changes in treatments positively, and stopping the treatments due to the uncertainty of the pandemic and its effect on pregnancy and the baby made them feel safe. The majority of women appraised the closure of fertility clinics negatively impacted their lives. They experienced despair, uncertainty, disappointment, anxiety, anger, sadness, and exhaustion from waiting. Also, some participants did not find it right to delay the treatments and felt that the healthcare personnel postponed the treatments to avoid infection. Women experienced feelings of anger, distrust, and threats toward the health authorities. Moreover, the women in our study stated that they were always at home due to the pandemic, far from friends and family, and therefore did did not feel need for self-care and considered themselves ugly. The expressions of women mostly include emotion-based coping strategies. They used activities such as praying, exercising, distracting, noticing the positive side of postponing, and stopping treatments during the pandemic, accepting, and meditating. Limitations, reasons for caution Clinics closed due to the pandemic or limited procedures caused fewer women to come to the clinics. At the same time, it is not accepted for anyone other than working in the clinic to come to the clinics for scientific studies. Therefore, comments of women have been reached through blogs. Wider implications of the findings It is believed that approaches based on Lazarus and Folkman’s model helped the health professionals to determine potential stressors for women with infertility during the pandemic, and identified areas that required strengthening and improved personal coping strategies. Trial registration number not applicable


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Arbag ◽  
M Alu Tokat ◽  
S Fata

Abstract Study question What are the emotions, thoughts and coping strategies of women with infertility problems on changes in treatment during the COVID–19 pandemic? Summary answer Treatment-related procedures keep changing directions, exposing the women to high level of uncertainty. Changes in treatments may be perceived as threats to achieving parenting goals. What is known already Both infertility and the treatment process constitute a stressful experience. Literature reports that couples describe infertility as the most difficult challenge to overcome in their lives. In addition, it has been reported that women experience more anxiety, stress, and depression than men during this period. Societies and individuals affected by large-scale disasters, such as global pandemics, can develop stress-related disorders. Current data indicate that closure of fertility clinic during the COVID–19 pandemic was associated with a sharp increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression among patients undergoing fertility treatments and was perceived as an uncontrollable and stressful event. Study design, size, duration The research was designed as a qualitative study. The data were collected from two Internet forums between October - December 2020. Blogs most frequently used by women with infertility in Turkey were simultaneously selected. The comments of 30 women were included. Participants/materials, setting, methods Data were screened by using the directed qualitative content analysis. After selecting the blog, emotions, thoughts, and coping strategies expressed by 30 women whose treatment was canceled due to the Covid–19 pandemic or who continued treatment during this period were included in the analysis. The themes created were adapted to Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping. Main results and the role of chance The thematic analysis of the expression of women with infertility problems in accordance with the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping stages of Lazarus and Folkman resulted in 4 themes: psychological changes, cognitive changes, changes in social life, and coping strategies. Some women perceived changes in treatments positively, and stopping the treatments due to the uncertainty of the pandemic and its effect on pregnancy and the baby made them feel safe. The majority of women appraised the closure of fertility clinics negatively impacted their lives. They experienced despair, uncertainty, disappointment, anxiety, anger, sadness, and exhaustion from waiting. Also, some participants did not find it right to delay the treatments and felt that the healthcare personnel postponed the treatments to avoid infection. Women experienced feelings of anger, distrust, and threats toward the health authorities. Moreover, the women in our study stated that they were always at home due to the pandemic, far from friends and family, and therefore did did not feel need for self-care and considered themselves ugly. The expressions of women mostly include emotion-based coping strategies. They used activities such as praying, exercising, distracting, noticing the positive side of postponing, and stopping treatments during the pandemic, accepting, and meditating. Limitations, reasons for caution Clinics closed due to the pandemic or limited procedures caused fewer women to come to the clinics. At the same time, it is not accepted for anyone other than working in the clinic to come to the clinics for scientific studies. Therefore, comments of women have been reached through blogs. Wider implications of the findings: It is believed that approaches based on Lazarus and Folkman’s model helped the health professionals to determine potential stressors for women with infertility during the pandemic, and identified areas that required strengthening and improved personal coping strategies. Trial registration number Not applicable


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-117
Author(s):  
V.A. Adzika ◽  
D. Ayim-Aboagye ◽  
T. Gordh

Abstract Aims Prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is high in Ghana but not much is known in terms of research into non-medical strategies for managing and coping with the pain associated with SCD. This study was carried out to examine effective non-medical related strategies patients use to cope and manage their SCD condition. MethodsSCD patients (387) at the Korle-bu Teaching Hospital (Sickle Cell Clinic), consisting of 180 males and 204 females between 18 and 65 years old years participated in the study. A cross-sectional research design was used in which participants completed 9 questionnaires on pain, non-medical coping and management strategies, anxiety, and depression. ResultsOver 90% of participants reported that pains associated with SCD were the main reason for seeking treatment in SCD crisis. In terms of non-medical related coping strategies, attending a place of worship and praying were the main coping strategies used in SCD crises, suggesting that patients’ beliefs, particularly in a supernatural being, served as a mitigating factor in the process of coping with the pain associated with SCD crisis. Also, avoidance and withdrawal from people and social activities were reported to be strategies used to cope with the pain associated with SCD crisis. Results of multiple regression analysis showed that socio-demographic characteristics contributed to the variance in the pain associated with SCD. ConclusionThis study indicates that non-medical strategies, such as religious beliefs and psychosocial actions, are important factors for patients in Ghana for their coping and management of the pains associated with SCD. This knowledge may add to the understanding of the SCD-patients’ situation.


Author(s):  
Rendani B. Munyai ◽  
Agnes Musyoki ◽  
Nthadeuleni S. Nethengwe

This study assesses flood vulnerability, levels of vulnerability, determinants of flood vulnerability and coping strategies for flood hazards. The vulnerability and resilience of the local communities are key concepts in this study. Most households are vulnerable to flood hazards. It is therefore important to measure their levels of vulnerability and assess their responses for current and future planning. A flood vulnerability index was used to measure the extent of flood vulnerability. Key informant interviews, field surveys and household questionnaires were used to collect the data. The results show that vulnerability to flood in this community is determined by the nature of soil, dwelling type, employment, education and amount of rainfall in a season. Social and economic components scored higher than the physical environment, while social factors are higher than the economic factors. Contextual coping strategies in this community were temporary relocation, evacuation to a safe area and waiting for government and neighbours to help. The study recommends that public awareness campaigns, early warning systems and improved disaster management strategies must take into consideration differentiated levels of vulnerability and community coping mechanisms and preferences.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 352-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Bonino ◽  
Federica Graziano ◽  
Martina Borghi ◽  
Davide Marengo ◽  
Giorgia Molinengo ◽  
...  

Abstract. This research developed a new scale to evaluate Self-Efficacy in Multiple Sclerosis (SEMS). The aim of this study was to investigate dimensionality, item functioning, measurement invariance, and concurrent validity of the SEMS scale. Data were collected from 203 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients (mean age, 39.5 years; 66% women; 95% having a relapsing remitting form of MS). Fifteen items of the SEMS scale were submitted to patients along with measures of psychological well-being, sense of coherence, depression, and coping strategies. Data underwent Rasch analysis and correlation analysis. Rasch analysis indicates the SEMS as a multidimensional construct characterized by two correlated dimensions: goal setting and symptom management, with satisfactory reliability coefficients. Overall, the 15 items reported acceptable fit statistics; the scale demonstrated measurement invariance (with respect to gender and disease duration) and good concurrent validity (positive correlations with psychological well-being, sense of coherence, and coping strategies and negative correlations with depression). Preliminary evidence suggests that SEMS is a psychometrically sound measure to evaluate perceived self-efficacy of MS patients with moderate disability, and it would be a valuable instrument for both research and clinical applications.


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