scholarly journals Willingness to Vaccinate Against COVID-19: The Role of Health Locus of Control and Conspiracy Theories

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vojtech Pisl ◽  
Jan Volavka ◽  
Edita Chvojkova ◽  
Katerina Cechova ◽  
Gabriela Kavalirova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Health Locus Of Control ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Ehealth Literacy

Understanding the predictors of the willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19 may aid in the resolution of current and future pandemics. We investigate how the readiness to believe conspiracy theories and the three dimensions of health locus of control (HLOC) affect the attitude toward vaccination. A cross-sectional study was conducted based on the data from an online survey of a sample of Czech university students (n = 866) collected in January 2021, using the multivariate linear regression models and moderation analysis. The results found that 60% of Czech students wanted to get vaccinated against COVID-19. In addition, 40% of the variance of willingness to get vaccinated was explained by the belief in the COVID-19-related conspiracy theories and the powerful others dimension of HLOC. One-sixth of the variance of the willingness to get vaccinated was explained by HLOC, cognitive reflection, and digital health literacy [eHealth Literacy Scale (EHEALS)]. HLOC and conspiracy mentality (CM) and its predictors are valid predictors of a hesitancy to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The campaigns promoting vaccination should target the groups specifically vulnerable to the conspiracy theories and lacking HLOC related to powerful others.

scholarly journals Dissociation, Cognitive Reflection and Health Literacy Have a Modest Effect on Belief in Conspiracy Theories about COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5065
Author(s):  
Vojtech Pisl ◽  
Jan Volavka ◽  
Edita Chvojkova ◽  
Katerina Cechova ◽  
Gabriela Kavalirova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Cognitive Reflection ◽  
Variance Explained ◽  
Modest Effect

Understanding the predictors of belief in COVID-related conspiracy theories and willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19 may aid the resolution of current and future pandemics. We investigate how psychological and cognitive characteristics influence general conspiracy mentality and COVID-related conspiracy theories. A cross-sectional study was conducted based on data from an online survey of a sample of Czech university students (n = 866) collected in January 2021, using multivariate linear regression and mediation analysis. Sixteen percent of respondents believed that COVID-19 is a hoax, and 17% believed that COVID-19 was intentionally created by humans. Seven percent of the variance of the hoax theory and 10% of the variance of the creation theory was explained by (in descending order of relevance) low cognitive reflection, low digital health literacy, high experience with dissociation and, to some extent, high bullshit receptivity. Belief in COVID-related conspiracy theories depended less on psychological and cognitive variables compared to conspiracy mentality (16% of the variance explained). The effect of digital health literacy on belief in COVID-related theories was moderated by cognitive reflection. Belief in conspiracy theories related to COVID-19 was influenced by experience with dissociation, cognitive reflection, digital health literacy and bullshit receptivity.

scholarly journals Burnout Determinants among Nurses Working in Palliative Care during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3358
Author(s):  
José Vítor Gonçalves ◽  
Luísa Castro ◽  
Guilhermina Rêgo ◽  
Rui Nunes
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Perceived Health Status ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
National Network ◽  
Work Related ◽  
High Level

Nurses working in palliative care are at risk of burnout. The Copenhagen Burnout Inventory was used to determine burnout levels of nurses working in the Portuguese national network of palliative care. We evaluated the contribution of personal, work, and COVID-19 variables in three burnout subclasses: personal, work, and patient-related. A cross-sectional, exploratory, and quantitative design was employed and participants were sampled using convenience and snowball technique. An online survey was conducted and 153 nurses participated in our study. Socio-demographic characterization was conducted, levels of burnout and determinants were explored through multiple linear regression models for its three dimensions. High levels of personal, working, and patient burnout were present in 71 (46%), 68 (44%), and 33 nurses (22%), respectively. Most of them agreed that COVID-19 had an impact on their activities. Significant personal and work related burnout factors found were specialization in palliative care, self-perceived health status, unit type, weekly hours of work, and allocation to COVID-19 units. Gender was found to be a significant factor in patient-related burnout. There is a high level of burnout among nurses working in the Portuguese national network of palliative care. Measures for identification and mitigation of burnout are necessary to protect health care professionals.

scholarly journals The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Self-Reported Management of Chronic Conditions

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 237437352110076
Author(s):  
Hyllore Imeri ◽  
Erin Holmes ◽  
Shane Desselle ◽  
Meagen Rosenthal ◽  
Marie Barnard
Keyword(s):  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Health Locus Of Control ◽  
Patient Activation ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
The Impact

Chronic conditions (CCs) management during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of the pandemic on patient activation (PA) and health locus of control (HLOC) remain unknown. This cross-sectional online survey study examined the role of COVID-19 pandemic-related worry or fear in PA and HLOC among patients with CCs. Individuals with CCs (n = 300) were recruited through MTurk Amazon. The questionnaire included sociodemographic questions, the Patient Activation Measure, and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control–Form B. Out of the 300 participants, 9.7% were diagnosed with COVID-19, and 7.3% were hospitalized. Patients with cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, drug abuse/substance abuse, and stroke reported significant difficulties in managing their CCs due to worry or fear because of COVID-19. More than half of the sample (45.7%) reported COVID-19-related worry or fear about managing their CCs, and these patients had lower PA and lower external HLOC compared to patients not affected by COVID-19-related worry or fear. Health professionals should provide more support for patients facing difficulties in managing their CCs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Pharmacists’ Perspectives on the Use of My Health Record

Pharmacy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 190
Author(s):  
Sam Kosari ◽  
Kwang Choon Yee ◽  
Stephanie Mulhall ◽  
Jackson Thomas ◽  
Shane L. Jackson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Professional Relationships ◽  
Health Record ◽  
Security Measures ◽  
Record System ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Potential Benefits

(1) Background: My Health Record (MHR) is a relatively new nationwide Australian digital health record system accessible by patients and a range of healthcare professionals. Pharmacists will be key contributors and users of the MHR system, yet little is known about the perceived barriers and benefits of use. (2) Objective: To explore pharmacists’ perspectives related to potential benefits and barriers associated with use of MHR. (3) Methods: An online survey was developed and face-validated. The survey was advertised to Australian pharmacists on pharmacy professional bodies’ websites. This was a cross-sectional study using an anonymous questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the distribution of the data. Chi-square, Kendall’s tau coefficient (tau-c) and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to examine the relationships where appropriate. (4) Results: A total of 63 pharmacists completed the survey. The majority of respondents worked in a metropolitan area (74%), and the most common workplace setting was community pharmacy (65%). Perceived benefits identified by responders include that the use of MHR would help with continuity of care (90%), and that it would improve the safety (71%) and quality (75%) of care they provided. Importantly, more than half of pharmacists surveyed agreed that MHR could reduce medication errors during dispensing (57%) and could improve professional relationships with patients (57%) and general practitioners (59%). Potential barriers identified by pharmacists included patients’ concerns about privacy (81%), pharmacists’ own concern about privacy (46%), lack of training, access to and confidence in using the system. Sixty six percent of respondents had concerns about the accuracy of information contained within MHR, particularly among hospital and general practice pharmacists (p = 0.016) and almost half (44%) had concerns about the security of information in the system, mainly pharmacists working at general practice and providing medication review services (p = 0.007). Overall satisfaction with MHR varied, with 48% satisfied, 33% neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, and 19% dissatisfied, with a higher satisfaction rate among younger pharmacists (p = 0.032). (5) Conclusions: Pharmacists considered that the MHR offered key potential benefits, notably improving the safety and quality of care provided. To optimize the use of MHR, there is a need to improve privacy and data security measures, and to ensure adequate provision of user support and education surrounding the ability to integrate use of MHR with existing workflows and software.

scholarly journals Health Locus of Control: A Determinant of Oral Health among Tobacco users in Rural India

2021 ◽  
pp. 151-159
Author(s):  
Sweta Singh ◽  
Shashidhar Acharya ◽  
Meghashyam Bhat ◽  
S. Bhat ◽  
P. Kalyan Chakravarthy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Health Locus Of Control ◽  
Coping Styles ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Oral Health Status ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Indian State ◽  
Health Related

Purpose: The concept of health locus of control is important because of its relation with health attitudes, behavior and coping styles. This study was done to compare the locus of control orientation and oral health status of tobacco users with that of non-tobacco users. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted on rural population in southern Indian state. All the participants were interviewed to gather data on their socio-demographic correlates, oral health related behavior and health locus of control with the help of a pre-tested questionnaire. Clinical examination was done using WHO oral health assessment form (1997).Main outcome measures were Locus of Control, Oral Health (dental caries status and periodontal status). Results: Tobacco users were found to score lower on the dimension of Internality and higher on the Chance dimension compared to non-tobacco users. The prevalence and severity of periodontal disease was significantly higher in tobacco users than non-tobacco users irrespective of age and socioeconomic strata. Conclusion: It was also concluded that non-tobacco users had internal orientation to health locus of control thereby being important behavioral factor controlling health in this group.Findings also demonstrated significant association between tobacco usage and adverse periodontal health.

scholarly journals Loneliness, mental health and COVID-19 in the Spanish population

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-62
Author(s):  
Berta Ausín ◽  
Clara González-Sanguino ◽  
Miguel Ángel Castellanos ◽  
Jesús Saiz ◽  
Carolina Ugidos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Spanish Population ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Related Data

The study aim was to assess the effects of the health emergency and the stay-at-home restrictions on loneliness variables in the Spanish population during the initial stage of COVID-19. A cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey of 3480 people. From March 14, 2020, screening tests were used to evaluate sociodemographic and COVID-19-related data on loneliness, social support, the presence of mental health symptoms, discrimination, and spiritual well-being. Descriptive analyses were conducted and linear regression models were constructed. A negative association was found between loneliness and being older, being partnered, having children, being a university graduate, being retired or still working, having stronger religious beliefs, believing that information provided about the pandemic was adequate, having social support, and having self-compassion. Actions that promote social support and further studies on loneliness in groups of older people are needed to prevent the pandemic having a stronger impact on mental health and well-being.

scholarly journals Electronic Health Literacy in Swiss-German Parents: Cross-Sectional Study of eHealth Literacy Scale Unidimensionality (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sibylle Juvalta ◽  
Matthew J Kerry ◽  
Rebecca Jaks ◽  
Isabel Baumann ◽  
Julia Dratva
Keyword(s):  
Health Literacy ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Factor Structure ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
General Factor ◽  
Factor Analyses ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Ehealth Literacy ◽  
Swiss German

BACKGROUND Parents often use digital media to search for information related to their children’s health. As the quantity and quality of digital sources meant specifically for parents expand, parents’ digital health literacy is increasingly important to process the information they retrieve. One of the earliest developed and widely used instruments to assess digital health literacy is the self-reported eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS). However, the eHEALS has not been psychometrically validated in a sample of parents. Given the inconsistency of the eHEALS underlying factor structure across previous reports, it is particularly important for validation to occur. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the factor structure of the German eHEALS measure in a sample of parents by adopting classic and modern psychometric approaches. In particular, this study sought to identify the eHEALS validity as a unidimensional index as well as the viability for potential subscales. METHODS A cross-sectional design was used across two purposive sampling frames: online and paper administrations. Responses were collected between January 2018 and May 2018 from 703 Swiss-German parents. In addition to determining the sampling characteristics, we conducted exploratory factor analysis of the eHEALS by considering its ordinal structure using polychoric correlations. This analysis was performed separately for online–based and paper–based responses to examine the general factor strength of the eHEALS as a unidimensional index. Furthermore, item response theory (IRT) analyses were conducted by fitting eHEALS to a bifactor model to further inspect its unidimensionality and subscale viability. RESULTS Parents in both samples were predominantly mothers (622/703, 88.5%), highly educated (538/703, 76.9%), of Swiss nationality (489/703, 71.8%), and living with a partner (692/703, 98.4%). Factor analyses of the eHEALS indicated the presence of a strong general factor across both paper and online samples, and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test indicated that the eHEALS total sum score was not significantly different between the paper and online samples (<i>P</i>=.12). Finally, the IRT analyses indicated negligible multidimensionality, insufficient subscale reliability after accounting for the eHEALS general factor, and a reduced subset of items that could serve as a unidimensional index of the eHEALS across the paper and online samples. CONCLUSIONS The German eHEALS evidenced good psychometric properties in a parent-specific study sample. Factor analyses indicated a strong general factor across purposively distinct sample frames (online and paper). IRT analyses validated the eHEALS as a unidimensional index while failing to find support for subscale usage.

scholarly journals Digital health literacy and online information queries in Portuguese university students

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Rosário ◽  
C Augusto ◽  
MJ Silva ◽  
S Martins ◽  
A Duarte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
University Students ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Logistic Regression Models

Abstract Background Worldwide there is an overwhelming amount of information about COVID-19 circulating online, also named infodemic. Misinformation (the unintentional) and disinformation (the intentional) spreading of false information have proven to be very dangerous to public health. Hence, more than ever, people need skills for searching, evaluating and integrating information related to health in daily life, i.e., health literacy. Until now, little is known about the digital health literacy of university students and their information-seeking behaviour. Hence, this study aimed to analyse the associations between university students' digital health literacy and online information queries during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic (and infodemic) in Portugal. Methods A cross-sectional study of 3.084 Portuguese university students (75.7% females), with an average age of 24.2 (SD = 7.5), was conducted using an online survey. We used sociodemographic data (sex, age, subjective social status) and the digital health literacy questionnaire adapted to the specific COVID-19 context. Online information queries included the topics related to SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 searched by students. Logistic regression models were performed. Results Online information queries (e.g., individual measures to protect against infection, current spread of the virus, current situation assessments and recommendations) were associated with an increased odds of achieving sufficient digital health literacy. Conclusions Online information queries related to epidemiological and public health topics are significantly associated with digital health literacy in times of COVID-19. Further studies are needed, including programs that improve digital health literacy among university students and increase the availability of high-quality content information.

Awareness, views, perceptions, and beliefs of Pharmacy Interns regarding digital health: a cross-sectional study from Saudi Arabia (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
SAUD Alsahali
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Training ◽  
Very High ◽  
Health Applications

BACKGROUND : Digital health technologies and applications are rapidly advancing and have gained attention in recent years. It is expected to have more roles and functions to transform the healthcare system in this era of digital consumers and services. However, limited research is available regarding delivering digital health education and training in pharmacy education and the pharmacy students’ perspectives on digital health. OBJECTIVE To assess pharmacy interns’ awareness of digital health applications in Saudi Arabia and their views regarding the coverage of digital health in the education of pharmacists. We will also assess the interns’ perceptions and beliefs about the concepts, benefits, and implementation of digital health in the practice settings METHODS A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted among pharmacy interns at Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. An invitation with the link to the online survey was sent to all interns registered at the College during the period of January to March 2021 RESULTS A total of 68 out of 77 interns registered in the internship year participated in the study, giving a response rate of 88.31%. The mean total score for pharmacy interns’ awareness of digital health applications in Saudi Arabia was 5.66 ± 1.74 (the maximum attainable score = 7). The awareness with different applications ranged from 97% for the Tawakkalna app to 64.7% for the Ministry of Health 937 call center. The mean total score for attitude and beliefs toward concepts and benefits of telehealth and telemedicine applications was 58.25 ± 10.44 (Maximum attainable score = 75). In this regard, 83.8% of the interns believed that telehealth could enhance the quality of care, 72% believed that it could enable pharmacists to accomplish tasks more quickly, and 70.6% believed that it could help effectively provide patient counseling, and 69.1% believed it could improve patients’ adherence to therapy. In this study, 40.6% believed that the current coverage of telehealth and telemedicine in the curriculum was average, while only 17.6% believed it was high/very high coverage. Moreover, only 38.2% attended additional educational activities related to digital health. Consequently, the majority (63.2%) were of the opinion that there is a high/very high need to educate and train pharmacists in the field of digital health CONCLUSIONS Overall, the interns showed good awareness of the common digital health applications in Saudi Arabia. In addition, majority of the interns had positive perceptions and beliefs towards the concepts, benefits, and implementation of digital health. However, the findings showed there is still further scope for improvement in some areas. Moreover, most interns indicated that there is a need for more education and training in the field of digital health and pharmacy informatics. Consequently, early exposure to content related to digital health and pharmacy informatics is an important step to help in the wide use and application of these technologies in the graduates’ future careers and practice CLINICALTRIAL Ethical approval was obtained from Health Research Ethics Committee at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia (reference number 20-06-12).

Flourishing or Languishing? The Relationship Between Mental Health, Health Locus of Control and Generalised Self-Efficacy

2021 ◽  
pp. 003329412110404
Author(s):  
Amber Giblett ◽  
Gene Hodgins
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Locus Of Control ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Health Locus Of Control ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sampling ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Health Promotion Interventions ◽  
The Relationship

Mental health is a core component of overall wellbeing and can contribute to positive functioning and purpose in life. Mental health is purportedly related to the constructs of generalised self-efficacy (GSE) and health locus of control (LOC). Most research, however, has explored GSE and LOC and their relationship with psychopathology, or defined mental health as a lack of psychopathology indicators. This contradicts the two continua model of mental health, as it does not incorporate positive mental functioning. The current study sought to re-examine the relationship between health LOC, GSE, and mental health, whilst controlling for potential confounding factors. It was anticipated that health LOC and GSE would predict mental health. A sample of 224 adults completed an online survey comprised of validated psychometric tools scales. Regression analyses were conducted to determine whether health LOC and GSE predicted mental health, after controlling for self-esteem, social support, and coping. Results indicated that GSE was a significant unique positive predictor of mental health. Health locus of control was not a significant predictor of mental health. Limitations were present, including a cross-sectional research design and use of convenience sampling. This study builds upon existing research in providing a better understanding of contributors to mental health, which may assist in the development of evidence-based mental health promotion interventions.

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