scholarly journals Evidence-Based Behaviour Change Intervention on Saiga Horn Medicine in Singapore: Research Brief

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hunter Doughty ◽  
Diogo Veríssimo ◽  
Janice Ser Huay Lee ◽  
L Roman Carrasco ◽  
Joss Wright ◽  
...  

Key Points: 1. A rare example of a wildlife trade initiative that covers all stages of an evidence-based behaviour change intervention. 2. Intervention development involved combining extensive consumer research with human behaviour theory and past research. 3. Intervention used a cutting-edge, powerful combination of online news coverage and targeted advertising. 4. Post-intervention, 4% of the target audience changed their behaviour (vs 1% of non-target) and the intervention message was shown as the key cause; but high-level users did not decrease significantly pre-to post-intervention.

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0248144
Author(s):  
Hunter Doughty ◽  
E. J. Milner-Gulland ◽  
Janice Ser Huay Lee ◽  
Kathryn Oliver ◽  
L. Roman Carrasco ◽  
...  

Interventions to shift the behaviour of consumers using unsustainable wildlife products are key to threatened species conservation. Whether these interventions are effective is largely unknown due to a dearth of detailed evaluations. We previously conducted a country-level online behaviour change intervention targeting consumers of the Critically Endangered saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) horn in Singapore. To evaluate intervention impact, we carried out in-person consumer surveys with >2,000 individuals pre- and post-intervention (2017 and 2019), and 93 in-person post-intervention surveys with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) shopkeepers (2019). The proportion of self-reported high-usage saiga horn consumers in the target audience (Chinese Singaporean women aged 35–59) did not change significantly from pre- to post-intervention (24.4% versus 22.6%). However, post-intervention the target audience was significantly more likely than the non-target audience to accurately recall the intervention message and to report a decrease in saiga horn usage (4% versus 1% reported a behaviour change). Within the target audience, high-usage consumers were significantly more likely than lower-usage consumers to recall the message and report a behaviour change. Across respondents who reported a decrease in saiga horn usage, they cited the intervention message as a specific reason for their behaviour change significantly more than other reasons. Additionally, across all respondents, the belief that saiga is a common species in the wild decreased significantly from pre- to post-intervention. TCM shopkeepers, however, cited factors such as price and availability as the strongest influences on saiga horn sales. In sum, the intervention did significantly influence some consumers but the reduction of high-usage consumer frequency was not significant at the population level. We explore reasons for these findings, including competing consumer influences, characteristics of the intervention, and evaluation timing. This work suggests our intervention approach has potential, and exemplifies a multi-pronged in-person evaluation of an online wildlife trade consumer intervention.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Veena A. Satyanarayana ◽  
Cath Jackson ◽  
Kamran Siddiqi ◽  
Prabha S. Chandra ◽  
Rumana Huque ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Home exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) is highly prevalent amongst pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries like India and Bangladesh. The literature on the efficacy of behaviour change interventions to reduce home exposure to SHS in pregnancy is scarce. Methods We employed a theory and evidence-based approach to develop an intervention using pregnant women as agents of change for their husband’s smoking behaviours at home. A systematic review of SHS behaviour change interventions led us to focus on developing a multicomponent intervention and informed selection of behaviour change techniques (BCTs) for review in a modified Delphi survey. The modified Delphi survey provided expert consensus on the most effective BCTs in reducing home exposure to SHS. Finally, a qualitative interview study provided context and detailed understanding of knowledge, attitudes and practices around SHS. This insight informed the content and delivery of the proposed intervention components. Results The final intervention consisted of four components: a report on saliva cotinine levels of the pregnant woman, a picture booklet containing information about SHS and its impact on health as well strategies to negotiate a smoke-free home, a letter from the future baby to their father encouraging him to provide a smoke-free home, and automated voice reminder and motivational messages delivered to husbands on their mobile phone. Intervention delivery was in a single face-to-face session with a research assistant who explained the cotinine report, discussed key strategies for ensuring a smoke-free environment at home and practised with pregnant women how they would share the booklet and letter with their husband and supportive family members. Conclusion A theory and evidence-based approach informed the development of a multicomponent behaviour change intervention, described here. The acceptability and feasibility of the intervention which was subsequently tested in a pilot RCT in India and Bangladesh will be published later.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Summers ◽  
Philip Wu

BACKGROUND COVID-19 is taking its toll on people's mental health, particularly as people are advised to adhere to social distancing, self-isolation measures and government imposed national lockdowns. Digital health technologies have an important role to play in keeping people connected and supporting mental health and wellbeing. Particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic as even before this unprecedented time, mental health and social services were already stretched. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to evaluate the 12-week outcomes of the digitally delivered Gro Health platform, a digital behaviour change intervention for self-management of mental wellbeing, sleep, activity, and nutrition. METHODS The study used a quasi-experimental research design consisting of an open-label, single-arm, pre-post intervention engagement using a convenience sample. From adults who had joined the intervention and had a complete baseline dataset (GAD-7 Anxiety Test Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale, PHQ-9 Patient Health Questionnaire), we followed all users for 12 weeks (N=273), including 33 (12.1%) who reported a positive COVID-19 diagnosis during the study period. Users engagement with the Gro Health platform was tracked by active minutes. RESULTS Of the 347 study participants, 273 (78.67%) completed both baseline and follow up surveys. Change in scores for anxiety, perceived stress and depression was predicted by app engagement with the strongest effect being seen in change perceived stress scores F(1,271)=251.397, p<0.001, with an R2 of .479. CONCLUSIONS A digital behaviour change platform that provides remote mental wellbeing support can be effective in managing depression, anxiety, and perceived stress during times of crisis such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. CLINICALTRIAL Approved by Royal Holloway, University of London Ethics Board.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. Kinnear ◽  
E. Wainwright ◽  
J. E. Bourne ◽  
F. E. Lithander ◽  
J. Hamilton-Shield ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a genetic condition characterised by elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Following dietary and physical activity guidelines could help minimise this risk but adherence is low. Interventions to target these behaviours are therefore required. A comprehensive understanding of the target behaviours and behaviour change theory should drive the process of intervention development to increase intervention effectiveness and scalability. This paper describes the application of a theoretical framework to the findings of a qualitative evidence synthesis (QES) to inform the content and delivery of an intervention to improve adherence to dietary and physical activity guidelines in individuals with FH. Methods The Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) was used to guide intervention development. Factors influencing dietary and physical activity behaviours were identified from an earlier QES and mapped onto factors within the BCW. A comprehensive behavioural diagnosis of these factors was conducted through application of the theoretical domains framework (TDF). Using these data, the most appropriate intervention functions and behaviour change techniques (BCTs) for inclusion in the intervention were identified. Decision making was guided by evaluation criteria recommended by BCW guidance and feedback from individuals with FH. Results Factors influencing dietary and physical activity behaviours mapped onto twelve of the fourteen TDF domains, with seven intervention functions deemed suitable to target the domains’ theoretical constructs. Twenty-six BCTs were identified as being appropriate for delivery within these functions and were included in the intervention. For instance, within the enablement intervention function, the BCT problem solving was incorporated by inclusion of a ‘barriers and solutions’ section. Guided by evaluation criteria and feedback from individuals with FH, the intervention will be delivered as an hour-long family-based appointment, followed up with four telephone calls. Conclusions The novel application of the BCW and TDF to the results of a QES has enabled the development of a theory and evidence informed behaviour change intervention. This systematic approach facilitates evaluation of the intervention as part of an ongoing feasibility trial. The transparent approach taken can be used to guide intervention development by researchers in other fields.


2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 607-616
Author(s):  
Claire Stewart ◽  
Emma Power ◽  
Annie McCluskey ◽  
Suzanne Kuys ◽  
Meryl Lovarini

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate a staff behaviour change intervention to increase the use of ward-based practice books and active practice by stroke inpatients. Design: This is a pre–post observational study. Setting: This study was conducted in a inpatient rehabilitation unit in Australia. Subjects: Stroke inpatients participated in the study. Intervention: A staff behaviour change intervention was designed to support staff to implement practice books. The intervention included staff training on motivation and coaching, and weekly audit and feedback for six months. The environment was restructured to bring staff together weekly at the bedside to review audit data and share skills. Main measures: Medical record audit and behavioural mapping were used to compare the number of stroke participants with/using a practice book pre- and post-intervention. Pre- and post-intervention, the percentage of observations where a stroke participant was actively practising, repetitions of practice recorded and type of supervision were compared. Results: A total of 24 participants were observed ( n = 12 pre, n = 12 post). Post-intervention, the number of participants with practice books increased from one to six (OR = 11, 95% CI = (0.9, 550.7)), but this change was not statistically significant ( P = 0.069). Five participants recorded repetitions in their practice books post-intervention, three were observed using practice books. There was no change in median repetitions recorded ( rpbs = 0.00, 95% CI = (−0.4, 0.4), P = 1.000) or observed active practice ( rpbs = –0.02, 95% CI = (−0.4, 0.4), P = 0.933). Active practice was often fully supervised by a therapist. Conclusion: A staff behaviour change intervention has the potential to increase the number of stroke survivors receiving ward-based practice books but did not increase active practice.


BJGP Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. bjgpopen18X101595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marian Andrei Stanciu ◽  
Rebecca-Jane Law ◽  
Sadia Nafees ◽  
Maggie Hendry ◽  
Seow Tien Yeo ◽  
...  

BackgroundGPs can play an important role in achieving earlier cancer diagnosis to improve patient outcomes, for example through prompt use of the urgent suspected cancer referral pathway. Barriers to early diagnosis include individual practitioner variation in knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, professional expectations, and norms.AimThis programme of work (Wales Interventions and Cancer Knowledge about Early Diagnosis [WICKED]) will develop a behaviour change intervention to expedite diagnosis through primary care and contribute to improved cancer outcomes.Design & settingNon-experimental mixed-method study with GPs and primary care practice teams from Wales.MethodFour work packages will inform the development of the behaviour change intervention. Work package 1 will identify relevant evidence-based interventions (systematic review of reviews) and will determine why interventions do or do not work, for whom, and in what circumstances (realist review). Work package 2 will assess cancer knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour of GPs, as well as primary care teams’ perspectives on cancer referral and investigation (GP survey, discrete choice experiment [DCE], interviews, and focus groups). Work package 3 will synthesise findings from earlier work packages using the behaviour change wheel as an overarching theoretical framework to guide intervention development. Work package 4 will test the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention, and determine methods for measuring costs and effects of subsequent behaviour change in a randomised feasibility trial.ResultsThe findings will inform the design of a future effectiveness trial, with concurrent economic evaluation, aimed at earlier diagnosis.ConclusionThis comprehensive, evidence-based programme will develop a complex GP behaviour change intervention to expedite the diagnosis of symptomatic cancer, and may be applicable to countries with similar healthcare systems.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Summers ◽  
Philip Wu ◽  
Alisdair J G Taylor

BACKGROUND COVID-19 is taking its toll on people's mental health, particularly as people are advised to adhere to social distancing, self-isolation measures and government imposed national lockdowns. Digital health technologies have an important role to play in keeping people connected and supporting mental health and wellbeing. Particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic as even before this unprecedented time, mental health and social services were already stretched. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to evaluate the 12-week outcomes of the digitally delivered Gro Health platform, a digital behaviour change intervention for self-management of mental wellbeing, sleep, activity, and nutrition. METHODS The study used a quasi-experimental research design consisting of an open-label, single-arm, pre-post intervention engagement using a convenience sample. From adults who had joined the intervention and had a complete baseline dataset (GAD-7 Anxiety Test Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale, PHQ-9 Patient Health Questionnaire), we followed all users for 12 weeks (N=273), including 33 (12.1%) who reported a positive COVID-19 diagnosis during the study period. Users engagement with the Gro Health platform was tracked by active minutes. RESULTS Of the 347 study participants, 273 (78.67%) completed both baseline and follow up surveys. Change in scores for anxiety, perceived stress and depression was predicted by app engagement with the strongest effect being seen in change perceived stress scores F(1,271)=251.397, p<0.001, with an R2 of .479. CONCLUSIONS A digital behaviour change platform that provides remote mental wellbeing support can be effective in managing depression, anxiety, and perceived stress during times of crisis such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.


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