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 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 A cross sectional survey of internet use among a highly socially disadvantaged population of tobacco smokers

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam McCrabb ◽  
Laura Twyman ◽  
Kerrin Palazzi ◽  
Ashleigh Guillaumier ◽  
Christine Paul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Internet Access ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Disadvantaged Population ◽  
Socially Disadvantaged ◽  
Frequent Use ◽  
Device Use

Abstract Background Tobacco smoking is highest among population groups which are the most socially disadvantaged. Internet-based smoking cessation programs have been found to be effective, though rates of internet access are not well known in these groups. This study describes the rates of internet use and types of technology used to access the internet by a population of socially disadvantaged smokers. The study also examined relationships between sociodemographic and smoking behaviours with amount of internet use and type of device used. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 369 clients (response rate 77%) from two non-government community service organisations in metropolitan New South Wales, Australia was conducted using touchscreen computers. Descriptive statistics and logistic regressions were used to examine results. Results Eligible participants ranged from 19 to 88 years old current tobacco users. Over half (58%) of the participants reported weekly or more frequent use of the internet with less than a third (28%) not having any access. The odds of using the internet at least weekly decreased with age and as heaviness of smoking increased (OR = 0.94, p < 0.001; OR = 0.81, p = 0.022, respectively). Odds of internet use were higher as income increased (OR = 2.74, p < 0.001 for individuals earning $201–$400 per week; OR = 2.83, p = 0.006 for individuals earning > $400 per week). Device use differed for age and income. Conclusions Internet-based interventions appear to reach the majority of socially disadvantaged populations. It is expected that this reach will continue to grow, making internet-based interventions a potential platform for providing care to low socioeconomic individuals who smoke, however inequalities may be exacerbated for those individual without internet access. Implications Internet use among socially disadvantaged tobacco users is moderate (58%). An internet-based smoking cessation intervention for socially disadvantaged tobacco users may be an effective intervention however, older, heavier tobacco users may not benefit as easily due to limited internet access and therefore acknowledging these limitations when developing an intervention can help to acknowledge limitation of intervention reach.

scholarly journals Internet use and need for digital health technology among the elderly: a cross-sectional survey in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinran Sun ◽  
Wenxin Yan ◽  
Hao Zhou ◽  
Zhaoqing Wang ◽  
Xueying Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Internet Use ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Elderly Care ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Technologies ◽  
Use Of The Internet

Abstract Background China is becoming an aging society at the fastest pace in history, and there are a large number of empty nesters in the country. With economic and social development, internal support systems among families are gradually weakening. Supporting the elderly is thus emerging as a significant issue, and promoting digital health technologies is an effective way to help address it. Encouraging the application of Internet to elderly care and Internet use among the elderly are important means of promoting digital health technologies. This paper examines the current state of the use of the Internet by the elderly and factors influencing it (including physical, psychological, and social) as well as demand among the elderly for smart services. Methods A total of 669 subjects over the age of 60 years were randomly selected from 13 cities in Heilongjiang province and surveyed using questionnaires from May 1 to July 31, 2018. The questionnaires were collected for descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and the analysis of influential factors. Results Of the people surveyed, 38.6% used the Internet. Their favorite online activity was online dating (74.2%), and the health information they obtained through the Internet was mainly related to diet (63.1%) and exercise (47.1%). The subjects demanded smart bracelets (MD = 2.80) and emergency callers (MD = 2.77). Gender, age, education, monthly income, quality of life, number of friends, and social participation were found to have an impact on Internet use. Conclusions More measures are needed to reduce barriers to the use of the Internet and promote digital health technologies. The society, equipment manufacturers, and family members of the elderly should work together to enable them to reap the benefits of online technologies.

scholarly journals Who is More Likely to Use the Internet for Health Behavior Change? A Cross-Sectional Survey of Internet Use Among Smokers and Nonsmokers Who Are Orthopedic Trauma Patients

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. e18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam McCrabb ◽  
Amanda L Baker ◽  
John Attia ◽  
Zsolt J Balogh ◽  
Natalie Lott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Internet Use ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Internet Access ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
Trial Registration ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Orthopedic Trauma ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background eHealth presents opportunities to provide population groups with accessible health interventions, although knowledge about Internet access, peoples’ interest in using the Internet for health, and users’ characteristics are required prior to eHealth program development. Objective This study surveyed hospital patients to examine rates of Internet use, interest in using the Internet for health, and respondent characteristics related to Internet use and interest in using the Internet for health. For patients who smoke, preferences for types of smoking cessation programs for use at home and while in hospital were also examined. Methods An online cross-sectional survey was used to survey 819 orthopedic trauma patients (response rate: 72.61%, 819/1128) from two public hospitals in New South Wales, Australia. Logistic regressions were used to examine associations between variables. Results A total of 72.7% (574/790) of respondents had at least weekly Internet access and more than half (56.6%, 357/631) reported interest in using the Internet for health. Odds of at least weekly Internet usage were higher if the individual was born overseas (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.27-3.82, P=.005), had a tertiary education (OR 3.75, 95% CI 2.41-5.84, P<.001), or was a nonsmoker (OR 3.75, 95% CI 2.41-5.84, P<.001). Interest in using the Internet for health increased with high school (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.09-3.15, P=.02) or tertiary education (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.66-3.70, P<.001), and if household incomes were more than AUS $100,000 (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.25-4.97, P=.009). Older individuals were less interested in using the Internet for health (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.99, P<.001). Conclusions Online interventions may be a potential tool for health care in this hospitalized population. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12614001147673; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=366829&isReview=true (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6qg26u3En)

scholarly journals Internet Access and Usage among Stroke Survivors and their Informal Caregivers (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Imama Ali Naqvi ◽  
Tahani Casameni Montiel ◽  
Yazan Bittar ◽  
Norma Hunter ◽  
Munachi Okpala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Text Messaging ◽  
Informal Caregiver ◽  
Internet Access ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Stroke Survivors ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Stroke Event ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Web Based

BACKGROUND Web-based interventions have shown promise for chronic disease management, but have not been widely applied to stroke populations. Barriers exist that may inhibit the adoption of web-based interventions in stroke survivors and necessitate informal caregiver involvement. However, limited information is known about internet accessibility and usability in stroke survivors and their caregivers. The purpose was to investigate internet access and usage in stroke survivors and their caregivers. OBJECTIVE To investigate internet access and usage in a cohort of stroke survivors and caregivers of stroke survivors. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of 375 participants (stroke survivors, 248; caregivers, 127). Descriptive statistics were generated through cross-tabulations. Comparisons with categorical data were conducted with the chi-square test, while Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparisons involving ordinal variables. RESULTS Eighty-five percent of the participants reported internet access. Caregivers were more likely than stroke survivors to access the internet X2 (1, N = 375) = 18.5, p < .001 and use text messaging X2 (1, N = 321) = 14.74, p < .001. Stroke survivors and caregivers with internet access were younger than stroke survivors and caregivers without internet access. The highest number of participants who reported internet access were Non-Hispanic Whites. Smart phones were the most common device used to access the Internet. Email was the most common type of internet usage reported. The number of stroke survivors with internet access was higher in survivors more than12 months compared to survivors less than 3 months (p < .001) after the stroke event. The number of hours per week spent using the Internet was higher for caregivers than stroke survivors (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Future feasibility and acceptability studies should consider the role of the informal caregiver, participant age, race and ethnicity, the use of smartphone applications, email and text correspondence, and the amount of time since the stroke event in the design and implementation of web-based interventions for stroke populations.

scholarly journals Multimorbidity, eHealth and implications for equity: a cross-sectional survey of patient perspectives on eHealth

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. e023731 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dee Mangin ◽  
Jenna Parascandalo ◽  
Olga Khudoyarova ◽  
Gina Agarwal ◽  
Verdah Bismah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Primary Care Clinic ◽  
Internet Access ◽  
Research Network ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Clinic ◽  
Practice Based Research

ObjectiveThere is increasing awareness of the burden of medical care experienced by those with multimorbidity. There is also increasing interest and activity in engaging patients with chronic disease in technology-based health-related activities (‘eHealth’) in family practice. Little is known about patients’ access to, and interest in eHealth, in particular those with a higher burden of care associated with multimorbidity. We examined access and attitudes towards eHealth among patients attending family medicine clinics with a focus on older adults and those with polypharmacy as a marker for multimorbidity.DesignCross-sectional survey of consecutive adult patients attending consultations with family physicians in the McMaster University Sentinel and Information Collaboration practice-based research network. We used univariate and multivariate analyses for quantitative data, and thematic analysis for free text responses.SettingPrimary care clinics.Participants693 patients participated (response rate 70%). Inclusion criteria: Attending primary care clinic. Exclusions: Too ill to complete survey, cannot speak English.ResultsThe majority of participants reported access to the internet at home, although this decreased with age. Participants 70 years and older were less comfortable using the internet compared with participants under 70. Univariate analyses showed age, multimorbidity, home internet access, comfort using the internet, privacy concerns and self-rated health all predicted significantly less interest in eHealth. In the multivariate analysis, home internet access and multimorbidity were significant predictors of disinterest in eHealth. Privacy and loss of relational connection were themes in the qualitative analysis.ConclusionThere is a significant negative association between multimorbidity and interest in eHealth. This is independent of age, computer use and comfort with using the internet. These findings have important implications, particularly the potential to further increase health inequity.

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.

A cross-sectional survey among physicians on Internet use for epilepsy-related information (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Brigo ◽  
Simona Lattanzi ◽  
Giorgia Giussani ◽  
Laura Tassi ◽  
Nicola Pietrafusa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Internet Use ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Therapeutic Decisions ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Web

BACKGROUND The Internet has become one of the most important sources of health information, accessed daily by an ever-growing number of both patients and physicians, seeking medical advice and clinical guidance. A deeper insight into the current use of the Web as source of information on epilepsy would help in clarifying the individual attitude towards this medium by Internet users. OBJECTIVE We investigated views towards the Internet in a sample of Italian healthcare specialists involved in epilepsy field, to explore factors which explained the influence of information found on the internet. METHODS This study was a self-administered survey conducted in a group of members of the Italian Chapter of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) in January 2018. RESULTS 184 questionnaires were analyzed. 97.8% of responders reported to seek online information on epilepsy. The Internet was most frequently searched to obtain new information (69.9%) or to confirm a diagnostic or therapeutic decision (37.3%). The influence of consulting the Internet on clinical practice was associated with registration to social network(s) (OR: 2.94; 95%CI: 1.28-6.76; p=0.011), higher frequency of Internet use (OR: 3.66; 95%CI: 1.56-9.21; p=0.006) and higher confidence in reliability of online information (OR: 2.61; 95%CI: 1.09-6.26; p=0.031). No association was found with age, sex, years in epilepsy practice or easiness to find online information. CONCLUSIONS Internet is frequently used among healthcare professionals involved in the epilepsy to obtain information about this disease. The attitude of being influenced by the Internet for diagnostic and/or therapeutic decisions in epilepsy is independent on age and years of experience in epilepsy, and probably reflects an individual approach towards the Web.

scholarly journals Survey of young people in one region of the UK on accessing COVID-19 information (SOCIAL)

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. e000942
Author(s):  
Oliver G P Lawton ◽  
Sarah A Lawton ◽  
Lisa Dikomitis ◽  
Joanne Protheroe ◽  
Joanne Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Young People ◽  
Significant Role ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Education Gaps ◽  
The Uk

COVID-19 has significantly impacted young people’s lives yet little is known about the COVID-19 related sources of information they access. We performed a cross-sectional survey of pupils (11–16 years) in North Staffordshire, UK. 408 (23%) pupils responded to an online survey emailed to them by their school. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data. Social media, accessed by 68%, played a significant role in the provision of information, despite it not being considered trustworthy. 89% felt that COVID-19 had negatively affected their education. Gaps in the provision of information on COVID-19 have been identified.

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