scholarly journals Understanding Consumers’ Convenience Orientation. An Exploratory Study of Fresh-Cut Fruit in Italy

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1027
Author(s):  
Riccardo Testa ◽  
Giorgio Schifani ◽  
Giuseppina Migliore
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Product Information ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Target Group ◽  
Western Society ◽  
Target Groups ◽  
Organic Certification ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Fresh Cut ◽  
Cluster Analysis Technique

In Western society, the fresh-cut fruit market is experiencing significant growth, especially in Italy, where, in 2019, the fresh-cut fruit sales volume increased by 35% compared with the previous year. This study aims to understand Italian consumers’ demand for fresh-cut fruits and to explore whether this trend is also affected by the prevalence of healthy lifestyles. Health orientation seems, in fact, to be a growing trend in the food sector. Research has recognized that consumers’ orientation towards products that are ready to be consumed is not only related to saving time. Sociodemographic factors and psychometric variables, including values and lifestyles, play important roles in understanding consumer demand for convenience products. For this purpose, the food-related lifestyles (FRLs) tool was used to profile consumers. The FRLs tool is a useful instrument that describes different ways in which people use food to achieve their values in life. Data were collected by using an online survey carried out with Italian consumers of fresh-cut fruits. By using a cluster analysis technique, four Italian fresh-cut fruit consumer target groups were identified. The largest target group was represented by uninvolved consumers, who are not inclined to cook or plan meals and who are very influenced by the advertising of food products in their buying decisions. An interesting target group, which may represent a challenge for food enterprises in the sector, was health-oriented consumers, who attach great importance to organic certification and to product information. This target group was also characterized by older consumers with higher net monthly household incomes than other target groups.

De eHealthMonitor: een bevraging naar het gebruik van eHealth bij zorgverleners en patiënten

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Steenberghs ◽  
A. Georges ◽  
D. Schuurman
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Target Group ◽  
Patient Records ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Target Groups

The eHealthMonitor: a survey on the use of eHealth in health care professionals and patients The idea behind eHealth is to manage patient records more efficiently and to communicate more easily with other health care providers or patients. However, the implementation of eHealth has not always gone smoothly, leading to dissatisfaction of the health care providers, who should use the applications. Therefore, it is important to monitor the use, satisfaction and attitudes of health care providers towards eHealth applications and the digitisation of health care. To this end, the eHealthMonitor was established. This article discusses the results of the first eHealthMonitor, which focused on 5 target groups of health care providers (general practitioners, specialists, pharmacists, nurses and caretakers) and patients. Each target group was invited to complete a specific online survey from October until December 2019. A total of 9.428 respondents were reached.

Knowledge, Perceptions and Practices on Modified Release Tablets among Prescribers: A Preliminary Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 01 (01) ◽  
pp. 05-14
Author(s):  
M.G.K.M. Fernando ◽  
K.I.J. Priyadarshi ◽  
L.G.T. Shanika ◽  
N.R. Samaranayake
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Product Information ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Immediate Release ◽  
State Universities ◽  
Modified Release ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Therapeutic Outcomes ◽  
Medical Faculties ◽  
Enteric Coated

Introduction: Modified release tablets (MRTs) are developed to achieve different therapeutic outcomes and are frequently prescribed. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, perceptions and practices on using MRTs among a selected cohort of prescribers. Methods: A self administered online survey was conducted using a pre-validated questionnaire, prepared in-house to assess knowledge, perceptions and practices on using MRTs, among academics with an MBBS degree in medical faculties of State universities in Sri Lanka. Results: The response rate was 15.5% among 375 prescribers. Most were females (53.4%) and were 46-55 years (29.3%). Over 50% correctly expanded abbreviations related to MRTs. Most defined enteric coated (87.9%) and targeted release (77.6%) forms accurately. However, 87.0% mixed-up definitions of sustained release with controlled release. Most believed that inability to split tablets (70.7%) and high cost (70.7%), as disadvantages of MRTs. Nearly half did not identify the risk of dose dumping (53.5%) and inflexible dosing schedule (44.8%) as disadvantages. For frequency of administering MRTs, 86.2% referred the product information leaflet (PIL) while 29.0% depended on the frequency of the corresponding immediate release tablet. Most (79.3%) prescribed MRTs to increase patient compliance while 12.1% prescribed them to reduce cost. When problems regarding MRTs were encountered, most referred PILs (81.0%) and clarified with experts (75.9%). Conclusions: Although the response rate was low, a clear gap in knowledge, perceptions and practices on using MRTs were identified among prescribers who responded. Interventions are needed to improve the knowledge, perceptions, and practices on using MRTs among prescribers.

scholarly journals Self-Perceived Life Satisfaction during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sweden: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6234
Author(s):  
Christina Brogårdh ◽  
Catharina Sjödahl Hammarlund ◽  
Frida Eek ◽  
Kjerstin Stigmar ◽  
Ingrid Lindgren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sexual Life ◽  
Life Domains ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Perceived Life Satisfaction

Currently, there is limited knowledge on how the Swedish strategy with more lenient public health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced people’s life satisfaction. Here, we investigated self-reported life satisfaction during the first wave of the pandemic in Sweden, and perceived changes in life satisfaction in relation to various sociodemographic factors. A total of 1082 people (mean age 48 (SD 12.2); 82% women) responded to an online survey during autumn 2020 including the “Life Satisfaction Questionnaire-11”. A majority (69%) were satisfied with life as a whole, and with other important life domains, with the exception of contact with friends and sexual life. An equal share reported that life as a whole had either deteriorated (28%) or improved (29%). Of those that perceived a deterioration, 95% considered it to be due to the pandemic. Regarding deteriorated satisfaction with life as a whole, higher odds were found in the following groups: having no children living at home; being middle aged; having other sources of income than being employed; and having a chronic disease. The Swedish strategy might have contributed to the high proportion of satisfied people. Those who perceived a deterioration in life satisfaction may, however, need attention from Swedish Welfare Authorities.

scholarly journals Exploring the Frequency of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in a Brazilian Sample during the COVID-19 Outbreak

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4847
Author(s):  
Fabiana Silva Ribeiro ◽  
Flávia H. Santos ◽  
Luis Anunciação ◽  
Lucas Barrozo ◽  
Jesus Landeira-Fernandez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Brazilian Sample

The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency of international concern, and the main measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus causing COVID-19 were social distancing, quarantine, and self-isolation. Although these policies are effective in containing the spread of the virus, they might represent a challenge to psychological well-being, increasing levels of depressive and anxiety-related symptoms. Aims: We explored the frequency of anxiety and depression symptoms during COVID-19 restrictions and associations with sociodemographic factors in a Brazilian sample. Method: Data of a total of 936 Brazilian adults (68.2% women) aged 18 to 77 years old (M = 38.95, SD = 13.91) were collected through an online survey. Results: In general, we observed a frequency of 17.36% for severe anxiety and 66.13% for severe depression symptoms, in which younger participants (18–39 years old) and women showed higher scores in anxiety and depression scales compared to older age groups. Logistic regressions showed that women were more likely to present severe symptoms of anxiety (20.4%) compared to men (10.9%), as well as respondents in the educational sector (24.3%) compared to those in the health sector (10%). Conclusions: We highlight the importance of mental health professionals in developing strategies to help younger adults to mitigate the effects of social restriction.

scholarly journals Consumer Preferences and Willingness to Pay for Potting Mix with Biochar

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 3432
Author(s):  
McKenzie Thomas ◽  
Kimberly L. Jensen ◽  
Dayton M. Lambert ◽  
Burton C. English ◽  
Christopher D. Clark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Product Information ◽  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
Market Potential ◽  
Marginal Costs ◽  
Consumer Demographics ◽  
Market Shares ◽  
Potential Market ◽  
Dedicated Energy Crops

Biochar is a co-product of advanced biofuels production from feedstocks including food, agricultural, wood wastes, or dedicated energy crops. Markets for soil amendments using biochar are emerging, but little is known about consumer preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for these products or the depth of the products’ market potential for this product. This research provides WTP estimates for potting mix amended with 25% biochar, conditioned on consumer demographics and attitudes about product information labeling. Data were collected with an online survey of 577 Tennessee home gardeners. WTP was elicited through a referendum contingent valuation. Consumer WTP for an 8.81 L bag of 25% biochar potting mix is $8.52; a premium of $3.53 over conventional potting mix. Demographics and attitudes toward biofuels and the environment influence WTP. Biochar amounts demanded are projected for the study area’s potential market. Optimal prices, profits, and market shares are estimated across different marginal costs of producing biochar potting mix.

scholarly journals A Typological Classification for Assessing Farm Sustainability in the Italian Bovine Dairy Sector

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 7097
Author(s):  
Margherita Masi ◽  
Yari Vecchio ◽  
Gregorio Pauselli ◽  
Jorgelina Di Pasquale ◽  
Felice Adinolfi
Keyword(s):  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Structural Relationships ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
The Social ◽  
European Policies ◽  
Farm Sustainability ◽  
Social Environmental ◽  
Cluster Analysis Technique

Italy is among the most important countries in Europe for milk production. The new European policies encourage a transition towards sustainability and are leading European dairy farms to follow new trajectories to increase their economic efficiency, reduce their environmental impact, and ensure social sustainability. Few studies have attempted to classify dairy farms by analyzing the relationships between the structural profiles of farms and the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of sustainability. This work intends to pursue this aim through an exploratory analysis in the Italian production context. The cluster analysis technique made it possible to identify three types of dairy farms, which were characterized on the basis of indicators that represented the three dimensions of sustainability (environmental, social, and economic sustainability) and the emerging structural relationships based on the structural characteristics of the dairy farms. The classification made it possible to describe the state of the art of the Italian dairy sector in terms of sustainability and to understand how different types of farms can respond to the new European trajectories.

Coping strategies among medical professionals during COVID-19 outbreak

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (01) ◽  
pp. 28-33
Author(s):  
Vaishali Shanmugam
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Coping Styles ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Medical Professionals ◽  
Stressful Situation ◽  
Sociodemographic Variables ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Brief Cope

BACKGROUND: COVID -19 pandemic is a very stressful situation for doctors, who face the risk of infection in daily life. Coping is the process by which a person deals with stressful situations or demands. Identifying the coping strategies of our medical professionals will help us to understand their coping styles and to deliver effective interventions to enhance their mental well-being. METHODS: An online survey form with socio-demographic profile and BRIEF COPE tool for assessing different coping strategies was sent to interns, residents, and teaching faculty. The coping strategies were divided into emotion-based, problem-based, and dysfunctional coping, and spearman's correlation was done to determine any correlation between sociodemographic variables and the coping strategies. RESULTS: A total of 84 valid and complete responses were included in the study. There is a variable distribution of mean scores for problem-focused, emotion-focused, and dysfunctional strategies. Age and marital status had a positive correlation with problem-focused and emotion-focused strategies meaning that older adults and married people used these strategies predominantly. Higher designation used problem-focused coping predominantly. Dysfunctional coping strategies had no correlation with any of the sociodemographic variables. CONCLUSION: Sociodemographic factors affecting the coping mechanisms in medical professionals differ from those of the general population seen in previous studies. Within the group of medical professionals, those with higher age, higher designation and married had predominantly adaptive strategies. Interventions targetting maladaptive components of emotion-focused strategies and dysfunctional strategies should be aimed at a younger age group, unmarried people, interns, and residents among the medical professionals to better cope with this COVID scenario.

Can Student Populations in Developing Countries Be Reached by Online Surveys? The Case of the National Service Scheme Survey (N3S) in Ghana

Field Methods ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 154-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnim Langer ◽  
Bart Meuleman ◽  
Abdul-Gafar Tobi Oshodi ◽  
Maarten Schroyens
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
University Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Target Group ◽  
National Service ◽  
Online Surveys ◽  
Online Strategies

This article tackles the question whether it is a viable strategy to conduct online surveys among university students in developing countries. By documenting the methodology of the National Service Scheme Survey conducted in Ghana, we set out to answer three questions: (1) How can a sample of university students be obtained? (2) How can students be motivated to cooperate in online surveys? (3) What kind of devices do students use for completing an online survey? Our results indicate that online strategies can be very useful to reach this particular target group, if the necessary precautions are taken.

scholarly journals Hitchhiking: Associations With Big Five and Emotional Competences

2020 ◽  
pp. 003329412095355
Author(s):  
Sylvain Laborde ◽  
Sebastian Gerlach ◽  
Robert Vaughan
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Longitudinal Studies ◽  
Big Five ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Personality Characteristics ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
Big Five Inventory ◽  
Study Participants

After a decrease in its practice, the interest in hitchhiking is currently renewed. However, so far, very little is known about the personality characteristics of hitchhikers. Consequently, the aim of this study was to investigate the associations between hitchhiking and personality traits, with the Big Five and emotional competences. Five hundred and seventy-eight travellers (452 hitchhikers, Mage = 28.4 years old; and 126 non-hitchhikers, Mage = 27.7 years old) took part in the study. Participants completed an online survey including hitchhiking behaviour, the Big Five Inventory, and the Profile for Emotional Competences. After controlling for sociodemographic factors, hitchhiking was found to be positively associated with openness, and negatively associated with neuroticism. No associations were found with emotional competences. These findings improve our understanding of the personality characteristics associated with hitchhiking, however longitudinal studies are required to understand how hitchhiking is related to personality.

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