Readiness and Acceptance of eHealth Services for Diabetes Care in the General Population: Cross-sectional Study

Background Diabetes management is a growing health care challenge worldwide. eHealth can revolutionize diabetes care, the success of which depends on end user acceptance. Objective This study aims to understand the readiness and acceptance of eHealth services for diabetes care among the general population, perceived advantages and disadvantages of eHealth, and factors associated with eHealth readiness and acceptance in a multiethnic Asian country. Methods In this cross-sectional epidemiological study, participants (N=2895) were selected through disproportionate stratified random sampling from a population registry. Citizens or permanent residents of Singapore aged >18 years were recruited. The data were captured through computer-assisted personal interviews. An eHealth questionnaire was administered in one of four local languages (English, Chinese, Malay, or Tamil), as preferred by the participant. Bivariate chi-square analyses were performed to compare the sociodemographic characteristics and perception of advantages and disadvantages of eHealth services between the diabetes and nondiabetes groups. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine factors associated with eHealth readiness and acceptance. All analyses were weighted using survey weights to account for the complex survey design. Results The sample comprised participants with (n=436) and without (n=2459) diabetes. eHealth readiness was low, with 47.3% of the overall sample and 75.7% of the diabetes group endorsing that they were not ready for eHealth (P<.001). The most acceptable eHealth service overall was booking appointments (67.4%). There was a significantly higher preference in the diabetes group for face-to-face sessions for consultation with the clinician (nondiabetes: 83.5% vs diabetes: 92.6%; P<.001), receiving prescriptions (61.9% vs 79.3%; P<.001), referrals to other doctors (51.4% vs 72.2%; P<.001), and receiving health information (34% vs 63.4%; P<.001). The majority of both groups felt that eHealth requires users to be computer literate (90.5% vs 94.3%), does not build clinician-patient rapport compared with face-to-face sessions (77.5% vs 81%), and might not be credible (56.8% vs 64.2%; P=.03). Age (≥35 years), ethnicity (Indian), and lower education status had lower odds of eHealth readiness. Age (≥35 years), ethnicity (Indian), lower education status (primary school), BMI (being underweight), and marital status (being single) were associated with a lower likelihood of eHealth acceptance. Among only those with diabetes, a longer duration of diabetes (4-18 years), higher education (degree or above), and younger age (23-49 years) were associated with eHealth readiness, whereas younger age and income (SGD 2000-3999 [US $1481-$2961]) were associated with acceptance. Conclusions Overall, an unfavorable attitude toward eHealth was observed, with a significantly higher number of participants with diabetes reporting their unwillingness to use these services for their diabetes care. Sociodemographic factors associated with acceptance and readiness identified a group of people who were unlikely to accept the technology and thus need to be targeted for eHealth literacy programs to avoid health care disparity. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037125

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Readiness and Acceptance of eHealth Services for Diabetes Care in the General Population: Cross-sectional Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.26881 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

PV AshaRani ◽

Lau Jue Hua ◽

Kumarasan Roystonn ◽

Fiona Devi Siva Kumar ◽

Wang Peizhi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diabetes Care ◽

Diabetes Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Face To Face ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

Younger Age ◽

Education Status ◽

Lower Education ◽

Ehealth Services

BACKGROUND Diabetes management is a growing health care challenge worldwide. eHealth can revolutionize diabetes care, the success of which depends on end user acceptance. OBJECTIVE This study aims to understand the readiness and acceptance of eHealth services for diabetes care among the general population, perceived advantages and disadvantages of eHealth, and factors associated with eHealth readiness and acceptance in a multiethnic Asian country. METHODS In this cross-sectional epidemiological study, participants (N=2895) were selected through disproportionate stratified random sampling from a population registry. Citizens or permanent residents of Singapore aged >18 years were recruited. The data were captured through computer-assisted personal interviews. An eHealth questionnaire was administered in one of four local languages (English, Chinese, Malay, or Tamil), as preferred by the participant. Bivariate chi-square analyses were performed to compare the sociodemographic characteristics and perception of advantages and disadvantages of eHealth services between the diabetes and nondiabetes groups. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine factors associated with eHealth readiness and acceptance. All analyses were weighted using survey weights to account for the complex survey design. RESULTS The sample comprised participants with (n=436) and without (n=2459) diabetes. eHealth readiness was low, with 47.3% of the overall sample and 75.7% of the diabetes group endorsing that they were not ready for eHealth (P<.001). The most acceptable eHealth service overall was booking appointments (67.4%). There was a significantly higher preference in the diabetes group for face-to-face sessions for consultation with the clinician (nondiabetes: 83.5% vs diabetes: 92.6%; P<.001), receiving prescriptions (61.9% vs 79.3%; P<.001), referrals to other doctors (51.4% vs 72.2%; P<.001), and receiving health information (34% vs 63.4%; P<.001). The majority of both groups felt that eHealth requires users to be computer literate (90.5% vs 94.3%), does not build clinician-patient rapport compared with face-to-face sessions (77.5% vs 81%), and might not be credible (56.8% vs 64.2%; P=.03). Age (≥35 years), ethnicity (Indian), and lower education status had lower odds of eHealth readiness. Age (≥35 years), ethnicity (Indian), lower education status (primary school), BMI (being underweight), and marital status (being single) were associated with a lower likelihood of eHealth acceptance. Among only those with diabetes, a longer duration of diabetes (4-18 years), higher education (degree or above), and younger age (23-49 years) were associated with eHealth readiness, whereas younger age and income (SGD 2000-3999 [US $1481-$2961]) were associated with acceptance. CONCLUSIONS Overall, an unfavorable attitude toward eHealth was observed, with a significantly higher number of participants with diabetes reporting their unwillingness to use these services for their diabetes care. Sociodemographic factors associated with acceptance and readiness identified a group of people who were unlikely to accept the technology and thus need to be targeted for eHealth literacy programs to avoid health care disparity. CLINICALTRIAL INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037125

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A knowledge, attitude, and practice study to identify factors associated with refusal of post-partum sterilization

International Journal of Reproduction Contraception Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.18203/2320-1770.ijrcog20213675 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Isha Tapasvi ◽

Parveen Rajora ◽

Seema Grover

Keyword(s):

Family Income ◽

Post Partum ◽

Economic Status ◽

Educational Background ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Daily Work ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

Education Status

Background: Aim of the study was to identify awareness among parturient women about the advantages of postpartum sterilization and common factors associated with its refusal. This study was conducted in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, GGS Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot. A cross-sectional study in women who delivered between August 2020 and March 2021 and gave consent. Methods: A total of 200 patients who refused postpartum sterilization were included as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data collection included a questionnaire to assess their knowledge for this procedure and the reasons for refusal, age, socio-economic status, education status, occupation of head of family, family income, awareness of advantages and disadvantages and also prevalence of various misconceptions.Results: The 38 cases (19%) of refusals were of 20-24 years age group with maximum incidence 38.5% in 25-29 years. The chief reason for refusal was the desired chance for male child in next pregnancy resulting in maximum refusals 143 out of 200 (72%). Socioeconomic factors, educational background and work profile of the patients and family members also had influence in the decision of refusal. There were certain misconceptions in relation to refusals with almost 90% gave no preference to vasectomy, possibility of weight gain in 51%, disturbance in carrying daily work routine in 84%.Conclusions: This study suggests need of better counselling by the healthcare workers to implement small family norm which in turn can aid to reduce maternal mortalities.

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Hepatitis B Screening Compliance and Non-compliance among Chinese, Koreans, Vietnamese and Cambodians

Clinical Medicine Gastroenterology ◽

10.4137/cgast.s3732 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

pp. CGast.S3732 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Grace X. Ma ◽

Yin Tan ◽

Min Qi Wang ◽

Ying Yuan ◽

Wang Gyu Chae

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis B ◽

Language Proficiency ◽

English Language ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Educational Effort ◽

Younger Age ◽

Lower Education ◽

Hepatitis B Screening ◽

Never Screened

Objective The purpose of this community-based study was to determine factors associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) screening compliance and non-compliance among Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Cambodian adults with varying levels of English language proficiency. Methods A cross-sectional design was used consisting of a sample of 1,603 Asian adult men and women. Results Overall, 71.4% of the sample reported having never been screened and 28.6% reported being screened for HBV Demographic, acculturation, and barrier factors were differentially associated with screening rates among the subgroups. Demographic factors associated with never-screened were: lower education, younger age, being male, and no insurance for Chinese; lower education, lower income and no insurance for Cambodians; younger age and unmarried for Koreans; and no health insurance for Vietnamese; Acculturation factors associated with never-screened were: not speaking English for Chinese; not speaking English, not reading newspapers in English, and watching TV in one's native language for Cambodians; not speaking English for Koreans; while no significant factors were found for Vietnamese. All barriers were associated with never-screened for Cambodians and Chinese. Those who lacked knowledge about HBV and had language and transportation barrier were more likely to be never-screened for Koreans. There were no significant relationships between the barriers and the screening status for Vietnamese. Conclusions High incidence of HBV and liver cancer in Asian Americans mandates a more vigorous and more culturally and linguistically appropriate educational effort to increase screening and vaccination for HBV in these underserved and mostly uninsured populations.

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Activities and risk factors associated with fall-related injuries among US Army soldiers

BMJ Military Health ◽

10.1136/bmjmilitary-2020-001564 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. bmjmilitary-2020-001564

Author(s):

Raina D Brooks ◽

T Grier ◽

B H Jones ◽

M C Chervak

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physically Active ◽

Us Army ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Younger Age ◽

Near Falls ◽

Independent Risk Factors ◽

Army Soldiers

IntroductionFalls/near falls are the second leading cause of hospitalisation and outpatient visits among US Army soldiers. While numerous studies have evaluated fall-related or near fall-related injuries among elderly adults, few have evaluated this association among young adults. The objective of this study is to describe the characteristics and risk factors associated with fall-related or near fall-related injuries among male US Army soldiers.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study of male US Army Airborne Division soldiers (n=5187). Electronic surveys captured demographic, lifestyle, physical training (PT), fitness and injury data during spring/summer of 2016. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors of fall-related or near fall-related injuries, adjusting for potential confounders.ResultsPrimary findings indicated that activities and risk factors associated with fall-related or near fall-related injuries among soldiers included younger age (≤35 years), holding a job that required minimal lifting activities, slower 2-mile run times and not running during personal PT.ConclusionsThe findings from this study suggest that male US Army soldiers and other physically active men may benefit from (1) obtaining and/or maintaining higher aerobic endurance and muscular strength, and (2) training focused on preventing fall-related injuries during PT, road marching and sports/recreational activities. Moreover, prevention strategies and education should further target younger soldiers (≤35 years old), as younger age is not modifiable.

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Cataract among elderly in Sri Lanka

10.1101/540518 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

A.A. Nilanga Nishad ◽

S.A. Hewage ◽

K. Arulmoly ◽

M.S. Amaratunge ◽

J de Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Screening Programme ◽

National Level ◽

Age Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Future Studies ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Younger Age

AbstractOut of 39 billion people who are blind around the world, 20 billion (51.3%) is due to cataract, which is preventable. This study intended to assess the prevalence and factors associated with cataract among elderly in a divisional secretariat area in Sri Lanka. This community based cross sectional study assessed randomly selected470 adults over 60 years of age. Diagnosis of cataract was made by a slit lamp examination by medical officers, and classified according to Oxford Lens Opacity Classification system (LOCS III). Majority was between 60-69 age groups and 71% was females. The prevalence of cataract was estimated to be 80.6% including operated eye and 73.6% excluding the operated eye, with a female preponderance in lower age categories. Commonest type of cataract was the nuclear type (n=422; 44.9%), with a majority in grade 2 (218; 23.2%). The prevalence of cataract surgery in the diseased population was as low as 7%. Cataract leading to blindness is very prevalent among adults over 60 years of age in the studied area. Females tend to develop the disease at an early age than males. These findings warrant screening programme for elderly at community level, targeting females at a younger age than males. Future studies are recommended to assess the coverage and barriers for cataract surgeries at national level, which would be immensely useful in planning and improving health services.

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Medicine package inserts from the users’ perspective: are they read and understood?

Revista Brasileira de Epidemiologia ◽

10.1590/1980-549720190009 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 22 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Tatiane da Silva Dal Pizzol ◽

Cassia Garcia Moraes ◽

Paulo Sérgio Dourado Arrais ◽

Andréa Dâmaso Bertoldi ◽

Luiz Roberto Ramos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Population Based ◽

Education Level ◽

Descriptive Statistics ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Population Based Study ◽

Package Inserts ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Written Information ◽

Lower Education Level ◽

Lower Education

ABSTRACT: Introduction: The written information on medicines has been acknowledged as an important tool for health education. Objective: To analyze the use and understanding of medicine package inserts by users and assess sociodemographic and medical factors associated with their comprehension. Method: Data in this analysis are part of the PNAUM National Survey - a cross-sectional population-based study conducted in Brazil. Descriptive statistics and the Pearson χ2 tests were performed to compare proportions between sociodemographic and medical characteristics, as well as use and understanding of medicine package inserts. Results: A total of 28.427 individuals responded to questions related to medicine package inserts. From these, 59.6% (95%CI 57.7 - 61.5) said they usually read the inserts, and 98.4% (95%CI 98.0 - 98.8) considered them necessary. Among people who read the medicine package inserts, more than half indicated difficulties with legibility (57.4%; 95%CI 55,2 - 59,6) and readability (54.1%; 95%CI 52.1 - 56.1). People from a lower education level reported greater difficulty in understanding them. Conclusion: The larger portion of the population usually read medicine package inserts. Nevertheless, people have difficulty in reading and understanding them.

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Previous Early Antenatal Service Utilization Improves Timely Booking: Cross-Sectional Study at University of Gondar Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Journal of Pregnancy ◽

10.1155/2014/132494 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Tadesse Belayneh ◽

Mulat Adefris ◽

Gashaw Andargie

Keyword(s):

Associated Factors ◽

Formal Education ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Northwest Ethiopia ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Face To Face ◽

Younger Age ◽

Maternal And Neonatal Health ◽

Late Booking

Background.Early booking of antenatal care (ANC) is regarded as a cornerstone of maternal and neonatal health care. However, existing evidence from developing countries indicate that lots of pregnant woman begin ANC booking lately.Objective.It was aimed to assess timing of ANC booking and associated factors among pregnant women attending ANC clinic at University of Gondar Hospital, 2013.Methods.An institution based cross-sectional study design was used to collect data with a face-to-face interview technique. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was used to identify associated factors for early ANC visit using SPSS version 20.Results.From total women (N = 369) interviewed, 47.4% were timely booked. Mothers with younger age (AOR = 3.83, 95% CI: 1.89, 10.53), formal education (AOR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.03, −7.61), previous early ANC visit (AOR = 2.39, 95% CI: 2.23, 9.86), and perceived ANC visit per pregnancy of four and greater were significantly associated with early ANC visit.Conclusions.Although late booking is a problem in this study, previous early utilization of ANC visit favors current timely booking. This indicates that the importance of early booking was appropriately addressed from previous visits. Counseling of timely booking during ANC visit should be strengthened. Moreover, empowering through education is also recommended.

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Determinants of Early Initiation of Breastfeeding among Mothers of Children Aged Less Than 24 Months in Northwestern Romania

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11122988 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 2988 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Anamaria Cozma-Petruţ ◽

Ioana Badiu-Tişa ◽

Oana Stanciu ◽

Lorena Filip ◽

Roxana Banc ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Early Initiation ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Face To Face ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Early Initiation Of Breastfeeding ◽

Skin Contact ◽

Modifiable Factors ◽

Northwestern Region ◽

Initiation Of Breastfeeding

Early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF), defined as putting newborns to the breast within 1 h of birth, may have important benefits for both infant and mother. The aim of this study was to assess EIBF practices and its determinants in northwestern Romania. This cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June 2019, based on a sample of 1399 mothers of children aged less than 24 months. The sample was recruited from the community, from 29 cities and 41 communes distributed across the six counties of the northwestern region of Romania. Mothers responded by face-to-face interviews to a structured questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with EIBF. Only 24.3% of the mothers initiated breastfeeding within 1 h of birth. Delivering at a private hospital (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 5.17, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.87, 6.91), vaginal delivery (AOR: 4.39, 95% CI 3.29, 5.88), mother–newborn skin-to-skin contact for 1 h or more (AOR: 55.6, 95% CI 23.0, 134.2), and breastfeeding counseling during antenatal visits (AOR: 1.48, 95% CI 1.12, 1.97) were factors associated with increased likelihood of EIBF. Overall, the practice of EIBF was poor. Targeting modifiable factors associated with EIBF may be used to improve early initiation practice.

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Epidemiology and factors associated with diarrhoea among children under five years of age in the Engela District in the Ohangwena Region, Namibia

African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine ◽

10.4102/phcfm.v12i1.2361 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Maria F. Bauleth ◽

Honore K. Mitonga ◽

Lusia N. Pinehas

Keyword(s):

Informal Settlement ◽

Acute Diarrhoea ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Epidemiological Data ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Middle Income ◽

Face To Face ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Middle Income Countries

Background: Diarrhoea remains a public health problem and an important cause of morbidity and mortality amongst children, mainly in low- and middle-income countries. In Namibia, the national prevalence of diarrhoea was 17%; it was responsible for 5% of all deaths in children under 5 years old and is the second leading cause of death.Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the epidemiology and factors associated with acute diarrhoea amongst children less than 5 years of age in Engela district in the Ohangwena region, Namibia.Setting: The study was conducted in Ohangwena Region in Namibia which extends east to west along the borders of the southern part of Angola.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. A structured questionnaire was administered through face-to-face interviews. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the socio-demographic and epidemiological data of diarrhoea and logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with the prevalence of diarrhoea.Results: The study found a prevalence of 23.8% for diarrhoea in the 2 weeks period preceding the survey amongst children aged under 5 years. The prevalence of diarrhoea was statistically significantly associated with children (p 0.05). The strongest predictor of the prevalence of diarrhoea was the residential area ‘informal settlement’, with an odds ratio of 36.42. This implies that children living in the informal settlement are 36.42 times at risk of contracting diarrhoea as compared to those living in other residential areas.Conclusion: epidemiology; factors; diarrhoea; under-5 years children; Engela district; Ohangwena region; Namibia.

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PREVALENCE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH EARLY MARRIAGE IN CHIPULUKUSU TOWNSHIP OF NDOLA, ZAMBIA:cross sectional study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.16869 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Satiel Banda

Keyword(s):

Economic Status ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Education Level ◽

Early Marriage ◽

Child Marriage ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Lower Education Level ◽

Lower Education

BACKGROUND In the statistics taken from media brief on ending child marriage in Zambia, (2014) states, “Zambia is the third highest country with cases of child marriages in the SADC region and 19th in the world. In Zambia, about 42 per cent of women aged 20-24 years are married by the age of 18 – a rate that has not evolved since 2002. The rates of child marriages vary from province to province, and are as high as 60 per cent in the Eastern Province. (www.girlsnotbrides.org.) accessed on 20th November 2014. At 13.42) The ZDHS [Zambia Demographic Health Survey] indicates that among married girls aged 15-19 in Zambia, 68 percent have already given birth. In addition, most of the births occurring to girls before age 18 are first births (85 percent), and a majority of these first births occur within marriage. A Central Statistical Office (CSO) report of 2010 carried out by Plan Zambia indicates that “only a few adolescent girls and boys complete upper primary education while the enrolment ratio in secondary education is 13.4% for males and 12.9% for females.” The report concludes that child marriage is the critical driver for this state of affairs. OBJECTIVE This study is aimed at determining the prevalence and factors associated with child marriage in Chipulukusu township of Ndola. Zambia. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in Chipulukusu Township within the location of Ndola. A pretest questionnaire was used to collect information on child marriage prevalence and factors towards the practice of child marriage and other relevant socio-demographic characteristics. RESULTS the prevalence of early marriage in Chipulukusu township of Ndola district, Zambia was 20.7 % with it being significantly associated with lower social economic status (poverty), lower education level, orphanhood and teen pregnancies CONCLUSIONS the prevalence of early marriage in this study was high. Its prevalence was significantly associated with people of poor backgrounds (poverty), teen pregnancies, lower education level, and orphan hood.

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