scholarly journals Patterns of Mobile Phone Ownership and Use Among Pregnant Women in Southern Tanzania: Cross-Sectional Survey

10.2196/17122 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. e17122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lavanya Vasudevan ◽  
Jan Ostermann ◽  
Sara Marwerwe Moses ◽  
Esther Ngadaya ◽  
Sayoki Godfrey Mfinanga
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Rural Women ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Phone Calls

Background There is a paucity of subnational data on patterns of mobile phone ownership and use in Tanzania to inform the development of digital health interventions. Objective The aim of this study is to assess patterns of mobile phone ownership and use in pregnant women to inform the feasibility and design of digital health interventions for promoting timely uptake of childhood vaccines in southern Tanzania. Methods Between August and November 2017, pregnant women in their third trimester were enrolled at health facilities and from surrounding communities, and asked about their patterns of mobile phone ownership and use in an interviewer administered survey. Results Of 406 women, only 3 had never used a phone. Most women (>98%) could make and receive phone calls. Compared to urban women, rural women reported higher mobile phone use rates but were less likely to be sole owners of phones, and less likely to send or receive SMS, transact money, browse the internet, or use social media via mobile phones. Conclusions The findings suggest high feasibility for digital health interventions delivered via mobile phones to pregnant women in southern Tanzania. The feasibility of smartphone-based interventions or strategies relying on the use of social media or the internet is limited.

scholarly journals Mobile phone access and implications for digital health interventions among adolescents and young people in Zimbabwe: A cross-sectional survey (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aoife Doyle ◽  
Tsitsi Bandason ◽  
Ethel Dauya ◽  
Grace McHugh ◽  
Chris Grundy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Internet Access ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Service Engagement

BACKGROUND Mobile phones may help young people (YP) access health information and support health service engagement. However, in low-income settings there is limited knowledge on YP’s phone and internet access to inform the feasibility of implementing digital health interventions. OBJECTIVE We investigated YP’s access to technology to inform the development of mobile interventions for HIV self-testing and mental health counselling within a trial of community-based health interventions for YP (CHIEDZA) in Zimbabwe. METHODS A cross-sectional population-based survey was conducted from October to December 2018 among YP aged 13-24 years in five CHIEDZA communities in urban and peri-urban Harare and Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe. Consenting YP completed a short self-completed tablet-based questionnaire on mobile phone ownership and use, and use of the internet. The primary outcome was the proportion who reported owning a mobile phone. Multiple logistic regression was used to investigate factors associated with mobile phone ownership and with internet access, with adjustment for the one-stage cluster sampling design. A priori exploratory variables were age, sex, marital status, and urban/peri-urban residence. RESULTS A total of 634/719 (88.2%) eligible YP, mean age 18.0 years (SD 3.3) and 62.6% female, participated. Of the YP interviewed, 62.6% (95%CI 58.5, 66.5) reported owning a phone and a further 4.3% reported having access to a shared phone. Phone ownership increased with age: 27.0% of 13-15-year olds, 61.0% of 16-17-year olds, 71.5% of 18-19 year olds and 84.7% of 20-24 year olds (OR 1.4 (1.3, 1.5) per year increase). Ownership was similar among females and males (61.2% (95%CI 55.8, 66.3) vs. 64.8% (95%CI 57.8, 71.2); age-adjusted OR 0.7 (0.5, 1.1)), and similar across other socio-demographic factors. YP reported that 85.3% of phones, either owned or shared, were smartphones. The most commonly used phone application was WhatsApp (71%), and 16.4% of phone owners reported having ever used their phone to track their health. A total of 407/631 (64.5% (95%CI 60.3, 68.5)) currently had access to the internet (used in last 3 months on any device) with access increasing with age (OR 1.2 (1.2, 1.3) per year increase). In age adjusted analysis, internet access was higher among males, the unmarried, those with a higher level of education, phone owners, and those who had lived in the community for more than one year. The aspect of the Internet that YP most disliked was unwanted sexual (27%) and violent (13%) content. CONCLUSIONS Mobile phone-based interventions may be feasible in this population; however, such interventions could increase inequity especially if they require access to the internet. Internet-based interventions should consider potential risks for participants and incorporate skill-building on safe internet and phone use.

scholarly journals Mobile Phone Access and Preferences Among Medical Inpatients at an Urban Canadian Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Survey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam AboMoslim ◽  
Niloufar Ghaseminejad-Tafreshi ◽  
Abdulaa Babili ◽  
Samia El Joueidi ◽  
John A Staples ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Medical Ward ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Medical Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Phone Access

Abstract Background: Digital health interventions are increasingly used for patient care, yet little data is available on the phone access type and usage preferences of medical ward patients to inform the most appropriate digital interventions.Methods: To learn about mobile phone ownership, internet access, and cellular use preferences among medical patients, we conducted a researcher-administered survey of patients admitted to five internal medicine units at Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) in January 2020.Results: A total of 81 ward patients completed the questionnaire from the two survey dates. Of those, 63.0% owned their own mobile phone, an additional 22.2% had access to a mobile phone via a proxy (or an authorized third-party) such as a family member, and 14.8% did not own or have access to a mobile phone. All participants with mobile phone access had cellular plans (i.e., phone and text) ; however, a quarter of respondents did not have data plans with internet. 71.1% of men owned a mobile phone compared to only 52.8% of women. All participants at a ‘high’ risk of readmission had access to a mobile phone, either as phone-owners or proxy-dependent users.Conclusion: Access to mobile phones among medical ward patients was high, but incomplete. More patients had cellular than data plans (i.e., internet and applications). Understanding patient-specific access is key to informing potential uptake of digital health interventions aimed at using patients’ mobile phones (mHealth) from an effectiveness and equity lens.

scholarly journals Personal versus professional use of mobile phones in information processes at work

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 994-1008
Author(s):  
Ștefan Andrei Neştian ◽  
Silviu Mihail Tiţă ◽  
Elena-Sabina Turnea
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Information Processes ◽  
Personal Use ◽  
Schedule Time ◽  
The One

Abstract Mobile phone has become today a multi tasking tool, used in the work environment for both, personal and professional purposes. On the one hand, used for personal purposes, mobile phone can bring many benefits: it reduces stress, helps to schedule time after work, helps the employee to find useful information on the Internet, etc. On the other hand, mobile phone can also have negative effects when it is used at work for personal purposes: decreases productivity at work, distracts the attention, exposes to risks employees that are working in production, etc. In what concerns the professional purposes, the benefits depend of the nature of work: keeps constant connections with supervisors and clients, employees find quick information related to working tasks, and information can be shared at any time with colleagues, etc. Of course there are also negative effects of the mobile phone used at the workplace: disturbing the activity of colleagues, non-dissipation of information to others in a timely manner, etc. In this paper we present some preliminary results from a study that highlights both, professional and personal use of mobile phones in information processes at work. The research sample has 368 respondents from different fields of activity. Based on the frequency of their use, the results indicate that, for personal purposes, text messaging applications comes on the first place, search for useful information on the Internet comes on the second place and finally, the phone calls (voice only) are on the third position. For professional purposes, at work, most employees use phone calls (voice only), then they search for useful information on the Internet, and finally, they use messaging applications.

Mobile Health in Uganda: A Case Study of the Medical Concierge Group

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-14
Author(s):  
Louis H. Kamulegeya ◽  
Joseph Ssebwana ◽  
Wilson Abigaba ◽  
John M. Bwanika ◽  
Davis Musinguzi
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
Health Content

  The ubiquity of mobile phones offers an opportunity for a paradigm change in health-care delivery, which may offer solutions to some of the challenges faced by the health sector in Uganda. The Medical Concierge Group (TMCG) is a digital health company, headquartered in Uganda, which leverages on mobile phone-based platforms – such as short messaging service (SMS), voice calling – and social media to deliver health services. Just over two-thirds (68%) of users of TMCG’s services are males between 18 and 30 years of age. SMS reminders have improved the honouring of health facility appointments among HIV-positive clients, from 60% to 90%; retention rates at supported health facilities have improved from 45% to 89%. Furthermore, information dissemination has been achieved via mobile SMS, wherein subscribers can access health content on diverse topics – such as HIV/AIDS prevention and family planning – by sending messages to a pre-defined short code to a phone line. Over 900 beneficiaries have accessed health content via SMS subscriptions. Social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter, are used for health information dissemination and have enabled a wider reach to over 13 million beneficiaries accessing health information on TMCG’s Facebook page alone. Tailoring mobile phone-based health content to meet the target beneficiaries’ needs is critical for TMCG’s impact and uptake. With rising rates of phone ownership and Internet connectivity in Uganda, mobile phones offer an affordable and proven adoptable avenue to overcome the chronic challenges faced by the health sector.

scholarly journals Mobile Health in Uganda: A Case Study of the Medical Concierge Group

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-14
Author(s):  
Louis H. Kamulegeya ◽  
Joseph Ssebwana ◽  
Wilson Abigaba ◽  
John M. Bwanika ◽  
Davis Musinguzi
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
Health Content

  The ubiquity of mobile phones offers an opportunity for a paradigm change in health-care delivery, which may offer solutions to some of the challenges faced by the health sector in Uganda. The Medical Concierge Group (TMCG) is a digital health company, headquartered in Uganda, which leverages on mobile phone-based platforms – such as short messaging service (SMS), voice calling – and social media to deliver health services. Just over two-thirds (68%) of users of TMCG’s services are males between 18 and 30 years of age. SMS reminders have improved the honouring of health facility appointments among HIV-positive clients, from 60% to 90%; retention rates at supported health facilities have improved from 45% to 89%. Furthermore, information dissemination has been achieved via mobile SMS, wherein subscribers can access health content on diverse topics – such as HIV/AIDS prevention and family planning – by sending messages to a pre-defined short code to a phone line. Over 900 beneficiaries have accessed health content via SMS subscriptions. Social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter, are used for health information dissemination and have enabled a wider reach to over 13 million beneficiaries accessing health information on TMCG’s Facebook page alone. Tailoring mobile phone-based health content to meet the target beneficiaries’ needs is critical for TMCG’s impact and uptake. With rising rates of phone ownership and Internet connectivity in Uganda, mobile phones offer an affordable and proven adoptable avenue to overcome the chronic challenges faced by the health sector.

Mobile Health in Uganda: A Case Study of the Medical Concierge Group

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-14
Author(s):  
Louis H. Kamulegeya ◽  
Joseph Ssebwana ◽  
Wilson Abigaba ◽  
John M. Bwanika ◽  
Davis Musinguzi
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Retention Rates ◽  
Health Content

  The ubiquity of mobile phones offers an opportunity for a paradigm change in health-care delivery, which may offer solutions to some of the challenges faced by the health sector in Uganda. The Medical Concierge Group (TMCG) is a digital health company, headquartered in Uganda, which leverages on mobile phone-based platforms – such as short messaging service (SMS), voice calling – and social media to deliver health services. Just over two-thirds (68%) of users of TMCG’s services are males between 18 and 30 years of age. SMS reminders have improved the honouring of health facility appointments among HIV-positive clients, from 60% to 90%; retention rates at supported health facilities have improved from 45% to 89%. Furthermore, information dissemination has been achieved via mobile SMS, wherein subscribers can access health content on diverse topics – such as HIV/AIDS prevention and family planning – by sending messages to a pre-defined short code to a phone line. Over 900 beneficiaries have accessed health content via SMS subscriptions. Social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter, are used for health information dissemination and have enabled a wider reach to over 13 million beneficiaries accessing health information on TMCG’s Facebook page alone. Tailoring mobile phone-based health content to meet the target beneficiaries’ needs is critical for TMCG’s impact and uptake. With rising rates of phone ownership and Internet connectivity in Uganda, mobile phones offer an affordable and proven adoptable avenue to overcome the chronic challenges faced by the health sector.

Perceptions and attitudes of hospital staff toward paging system and the use of mobile phones

2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 377-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Haroon ◽  
Faiza Yasin ◽  
Rachael Eckel ◽  
Frank Walker
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Junior Doctors ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Main Mode ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Mobile Phone Usage

Objectives:Our objective was to document the pattern of mobile phone usage by medical staff in a hospital setting, and to explore any perceived benefits (such as improved communications) associated with mobile phones.Methods:This cross-sectional survey was conducted in Waterford Regional Hospital, Ireland, where bleep is the official system of communication. All non-consultant hospital doctors, of medical disciplines only, were asked to participate. The questionnaire was designed to explore the pattern and different aspects of mobile phone usage.Results:At the time of study, there were sixty medical junior doctors, and the response rate was 100 percent. All participants used mobile phones while at work, and also for hospital-related work. For 98.3 percent the mobile phone was their main mode of communication while in the hospital. Sixty-two percent (n= 37) made 6–10 calls daily purely for work-related business, and this comprised of ≥80 percent of their daily usage of mobile phones. For 98 percent of participants, most phone calls were work-related. Regarding reasons for using mobile phones, all reported that using mobile phone is quicker for communication.Conclusions:Mobile phone usage is very common among the medical personnel, and this is regarded as a more efficient means of communication for mobile staff than the hospital paging system.

scholarly journals Research on the Use of Mobile Devices and Headphones on Pedestrian Crossings—Pilot Case Study from Slovakia

Safety ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 17
Author(s):  
Miroslava Mikusova ◽  
Joanna Wachnicka ◽  
Joanna Zukowska
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Slovak Republic ◽  
Pedestrian Behavior ◽  
The Road ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Interaction Factor ◽  
Future Work

The topic of the use of mobile devices and headphones on pedestrian crossings is much less explored in comparison to the use of the mobile phone while driving. Recent years have seen many discussions on this issue, especially in foreign countries. The Slovak Republic, however, has not been giving it enough attention (and it is not mentioned in the National Road Safety Plan for the Slovak Republic from 2011 to 2020). This paper aims to draw attention to this issue. It presents basic outputs of a pilot study on pedestrian safety, with a focus on the use of mobile devices and headphones at selected non-signalized pedestrian crossings in three Slovak cities. Overall, 9% of pedestrians used headphones or mobile devices at observed pedestrian crossings (4% of them used headphones, 1% used headphones and at same time used their mobile phone, 2% made phone calls and 2% used their mobile phones). While these numbers can be considered relatively low, the study proved that during weekdays every 2 min someone was using the crossing without fully focusing on crossing the road safely. Another main finding was that although the safety risk at pedestrian crossings is increased by factors such as rush hour traffic or reduced visibility, pedestrian behavior related to the use of mobile phones and headphones does not change. A safety assessment was also carried out at the crossings. The results show that pedestrian behavior is not affected by the level of safety of the crossing (e.g., visibility of the crossing for drivers). The results of the presented analysis suggest that action is needed to change that. Due to the lack of information about accidents involving pedestrians using mobile phones and headsets when crossing the road, no relevant statistical data could be analyzed. The dataset collected can be used as a basis for further investigation or comparisons with other countries of the relevant indicators. In future work, we would like to include a pedestrian–driver interaction factor focusing on driver speed behavior in relation to pedestrians (who are on or are about to step onto a pedestrian crossing) and identify critical situations caused by improper behavior of drivers and/or pedestrians. This will help to understand speed adjustment problems related to pedestrian crossings.

Ontology Construction Research for the Mobile Phones' Reviews on the Internet

2014 ◽  
Vol 602-605 ◽  
pp. 3363-3366
Author(s):  
Yi Ming Sun ◽  
Chun Lei Han
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Semantic Information ◽  
Domain Ontology ◽  
University Research ◽  
New Method ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Stanford University ◽  
Information Mining ◽  
Ontology Construction

In order to automatically identify the mobile phones' reviews that the users comment on the mobile phone on the internet and obtain valuable information from the reviews, this paper presents the process of constructing ontology for the mobile phones' reviews and preliminarily establish a domain ontology of the mobile phones' reviews. The ontology construction adopts the Protégé tool and the Seven Steps method of Stanford University research. The ontology can provide convenience for the semantic information mining on Web mobile phones' reviews, and it can provide a new method to effectively mine the use feelings of the phone from a large number of mobile phone users' reviews.

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