Mobile Computing in the Developing World

2022 ◽  
pp. 73-91
Author(s):  
Martin Aruldoss ◽  
Ahalya Kannan ◽  
Kamil Khan Ameer Khan ◽  
Miranda Lakshmi Travis ◽  
Prasanna Venkatesan Venkatasamy
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Location Tracking ◽  
State Council ◽  
Market Conditions ◽  
Tamil Nadu State ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Selling Process

Nagapattinam is one of the main places for the catching and export of fish in Tamil Nadu State, in the south of India. In the local markets, fisherwomen buy fish, which are then sold in the streets as well as door-to-door. These “street selling fisherwomen” face various difficulties, including means of transport, carrying heavy fish baskets, and challenges in fish selling during sickness. To overcome these problems, a project was set up with support from the Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology to develop a mobile app with native (Tamil) language to simplify the different processes involved in fish selling. Special features, like adding fish detail using images, voice-based searches on market conditions, and location tracking for the delivery of fish, are helping the fisherwomen to reduce the complexity of the selling process. This chapter provides detail on this project, examines the benefits, and discusses the difficulties encountered in the adoption of the mobile app, which is enabling fisherwomen to boost their revenues and improve their quality of life.

Improving the Perception of Patient-Centered Wellness in a Virtual Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. JDNP-D-20-00078
Author(s):  
Sybilla Myers ◽  
Christopher Kennedy
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Shared Decision Making ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
The Social

BackgroundPerceived health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is fundamental to well-being and is a meaningful way to measure physical and mental health.Local ProblemNo standard method exists for measuring perceived HRQOL during the COVID-19 pandemic in participants as they attempt to improve their self-determined wellness goals. An implementation plan that considers the social distancing limitations imposed can be used to predict an individual’s likelihood of long-term success.MethodsDuring the four, 2-week plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles, the Social Cognitive Theory model informed the implementation of the four core interventions. To guide iterative changes, the data was analyzed through Excel and run charts.InterventionsThe four core interventions were the shared decision-making tool (SDMT), health mobile app tool (HMAT), wellness tracker tool (WTT), and the team engagement plan.ResultsAmong 28 participants, perceived quality of life increased by 70%, engagement in shared decision-making increased to 82%, app use and confidence increased to 85%, and goal attainment reached 81%.ConclusionsThe SDMT, health app, and wellness tracker created a methodical plan of accountability for increasing participant wellness. The contextual barrier of the COVID-19 pandemic added a negative wellness burden which was mitigated by creating a patient-centered culture of wellness.

P–478 Quality of life assessment in women undergoing assisted reproduction. A study of FertiQol and HADS

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N Figueras-Puigderrajols ◽  
A Ballesteros ◽  
D Guerra
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Life Assessment ◽  
Fertility Treatment ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Gamete Donation

Abstract Study question The present study aims to explore infertility-related psychosocial outcomes, including fertility quality of life (QoL), as well as anxiety and depression levels, in women diagnosed with infertility. Summary answer Differences on fertility-related QoL appeared when comparing treatment types (gamete donation vs own gamete). Furthermore, statistically significant associations were found between QoL and anxious-depressive symptomatology. What is known already Those who wish to have children and do not achieve their objective just like other peers can see their goals and expectations with pessimism, generating concern and a series of negative emotions. Several psychological implications of infertility have been described, such as increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, decreased self-esteem, mood and hope, or poor relationship adjustment. The emotional impact of infertility in people’s life cycle can be so strong that reducing it only to biological aspects would lead to a dangerous situation of neglect. For this reason, QoL assessment in ART becomes an important need. Study design, size, duration FertiQol stands as the most widely used tool to assess infertility-related QoL, overcoming the limitations of other instruments that only target specific medical conditions. The present is a multi-site cross-sectional study over patients with infertility (n = 104), aiming to explore their fertility-QoL, as well as their anxiety and depression levels, which are symptoms that have been previously associated.Questionnaire administration, and sociodemographic and medical data gathering took place between January 2019 and December 2020. Participants/materials, setting, methods Participants were 104 female patients (M.age= 39.8) undergoing or expecting a fertility treatment. The FertiQol Spanish version was administered through mobile app, and its paper version distributed at medical/psychological appointments. QoL was self-reported through FertiQol, assessing the influence of infertility problems in various areas (e.g. impact on self-esteem, emotions, general health, family, partners, social relationships, work, life projects...). Additionally, HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) was provided as a measurement of anxiety and depression levels. Main results and the role of chance Regarding treatments, 50.6% of participants were currently undergoing gamete donation while 44.3% were undergoing treatments that involved using their own gametes. After comparing QoL between these treatment types, results showed that patients who underwent egg donation, compared to those who used their own eggs, reported statistically significantly lower scores of QoL in the Social Subscale (p = .03), but not in the other psychological outcomes. Also, statistically significant negative correlations were found between HADS and all core FertiQol subscales (p< .05). Results are consistent with previous studies showing similar associations between fertility QoL and anxiety and depression, as well as with increased psychological negative implications of gamete donation. The majority of participants reported non-pathological scores of anxiety and depression when considering the cut off value of 8 for HADS, thus suggesting the presence of a relatively healthy sample. The number of treatments that patients had previously taken and the years of infertility were not associated with any of the psychological variables. Limitations, reasons for caution Some limitations to consider are presence of co-morbid diagnosis, differences in medication, or patient’s cultural backgrounds.Also, conclusions should be interpreted cautiously since the design doesn’t allow causal inferences. Further investigations should consider a continuous assessment to explore changes in psychological well-being at different points of intervention, specially with gamete donation. Wider implications of the findings: The great advantage we’ve seen so far when using FertiQol is the possibility to identify more accurately the true impact on other aspects of patient’s well-being besides the emotional area.ART professionals, including psychologists and counselors,will have more information within a small amount of time about QoL when using this tool. Trial registration number 1503-BCN–019-DG

scholarly journals POLA PENDEKATAN DAKWAH BERKELANJUTAN: PERSPEKTIF MODAL SOSIAL

KOMUNITAS ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-148
Author(s):  
Abdul Najib
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Local Culture ◽  
Relational Patterns ◽  
Self Image ◽  
Set Up

Current model of dakwah has to deal with complexity of challenges. In tacking such complexity, relevant and contextual approaches are necessarily needed. One of them is social capital based approach. This approach highlights aspects of trust and honesty, norm and values, networking, solidarity, responsibility, local wisdom, local culture, harmony and quality of life. The use of this approach has already been able to answer the challenge of current Dakwah. From the perspective of social capital, the use of basic values from it contributes to the dai’s credibility building. This credibility results in sustainable activities of dakwah and therefore, creates more effective results. The effectiveness of sustainable dakwah emphasizes on efforts to set up good self-image for the da’i and improved relevant relational patterns with the mad’u.

scholarly journals A Mobile App for Thyroid Cancer Patients Aiming to Enhance Their Quality of Life: Protocol for a Quasiexperimental Interventional Pilot Study

10.2196/13409 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. e13409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evanthia Giannoula ◽  
Ioannis Iakovou ◽  
Ioannis Katsikavelas ◽  
Panagiotis Antoniou ◽  
Vasilios Raftopoulos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Good Prognosis ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Information Platform ◽  
Therapeutic Procedures ◽  
Eortc Qlq

Background Thyroid cancer (TC) is one of the fastest growing cancers all over the world. Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is the most frequent subtype of TC. When appropriate treatment is given, the prognosis for the patient is generally excellent. Despite the generally good prognosis of thyroid carcinomas, the symptoms may range from emotional to physical discomfort, depending on the thyroid hormone status, which can severely affect the patient. Moreover, the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that DTC patients have to undergo, such as thyroidectomy and radioiodine therapy, significantly affect their mental and physical well-being. Often, the physician only addresses the favorable prognosis of DTC compared with other cancer types and neglects to assess issues related to the quality of life (QoL) of the patient; this was the reason we decided to design a mobile app for DTC patients and their caregivers. Objective The aim of this study is to research the feasibility and applicability of an mHealth app tailored to DTC patients, as reflected in their QoL. The main features of the developed app offer access to useful information about thyroid cancer, diagnostic tests, and the appropriate therapy administered to DTC patients. Methods Based on the existing literature, we created an up-to-date information platform regarding TC and especially DTC. In order to develop an effective app that can be implemented in current health care, we designed a section where the patient and physician can keep a medical record in an effort to enable access to such information at any time. Finally, we designed a user-friendly notification program, including pill prescription, follow-up tests, and doctor visit reminders in order to equally facilitate the lives of the patient and physician. Results Having developed this mobile app, we aim to conduct a pilot quasiexperimental interventional trial. Our intention is to enroll at least 30 TC patients and assign them to intervention or control groups. Both groups will receive standard care for treating and monitoring TC, and the intervention group will also receive and use the DTC app. TC patients’ QoL will be assessed for both control and intervention groups in order to examine the effectiveness of the DTC app. QoL will be assessed through the QoL core questionnaire European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-THY34 in combination with the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire through quantitative statistical analysis. Conclusions The use of mHealth apps can play a significant role in patient education, disease self-management, remote monitoring of patients, and QoL improvement. However, the main limitation of the majority of existing studies has been the lack of assessing their usefulness as well as the absence of specific instruments to carry out this assessment. In light of those considerations, we developed a mobile app tailored to the needs of DTC patients. Furthermore, we evaluated its contribution to the QoL of the patients by using the EORTC QLQ-THY34 questionnaire, an accurate and safe instrument for the evaluation of the QoL in TC patients, while supporting future planned endeavors in the field. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/13409

Effectiveness of health web-based and mobile app-based interventions designed to improve informal caregiver’s well-being and quality of life: A systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 134 ◽  
pp. 104003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jael Lorca-Cabrera ◽  
Carme Grau ◽  
Rut Martí-Arques ◽  
Laia Raigal-Aran ◽  
Anna Falcó-Pegueroles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Web Based

scholarly journals Experience of Using an App in HIV Patients Older Than 60 Years: Pilot Program (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julián Olalla ◽  
Jose María García de Lomas ◽  
Efrén Márquez ◽  
Francisco Jesús González ◽  
Alfonso Del Arco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Control Group

BACKGROUND New technologies can promote knowledge of HIV infection among patients suffering from this disease. Older patients with HIV infection represent an increasingly large group that could benefit from the use of specific apps. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to observe the acceptability and use of a mobile app on HIV infection in patients at least 60 years old and offer them the possibility of anonymously establishing contact with their peers. METHODS A series of clinical and psychosocial parameters were studied in 30 HIV-infected patients of over 60 years. The patients must be at least 60 years old, with a follow-up in the outpatient clinic for at least 1 year and without pathologies that limit his or her life expectancy to less than a year. They must know how to read and write. To be part of the group assigned to the app, they had to have their own smartphone and confirm that they were connected to the internet from that device. Overall, 15 of them were randomized to use an app and 15 were in the control group. All tests were repeated after 6 months. RESULTS The median age of patients was 66.5 years. Among them, 29 patients had an undetectable viral load at baseline. The median number of comorbid diseases was 2. Overall, 11 of them lived with their partners and 19 lived alone. They spent an average of 5 hours a day sitting down, and 56% (17/30) of them referred high physical activity. They scored 4 out of 5 for general quality of life perception. Moreover, 80% (24/30) presented high adherence to their treatment, and the average number of concomitant medications was 5. In the 6-min walking test, they covered a distance of 400 meters, and 3 of them desaturated during the test. The 15 patients made frequent use of the app, with 2407 sessions and an average of 7 min and 56 seconds time of use with a total of 13,143 screen views. During the 6 months of the trial, 3 non-AIDS events took place. There were no significant modifications to body mass index, blood pressure measurements, lipid profile, or immuno-virology information data. There were no differences in the questionnaire scores for perception of quality of life, confessed physical activity, or antiretroviral treatment (ART) and non-ART treatment adherence. CONCLUSIONS Significant differences between studied parameters were not objectified in these patients, possibly because this trial has significant limitations, such as a small sample size and only a brief follow-up period. However, patients did use the app frequently, making this a possible intervention to be proposed in future subsequent studies.

scholarly journals INTEGRATED NOISE CONTROL SOLUTIONS FOR DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING A COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT IN MEDIUM AND SMALL TOWNS IN SIBERIA

2020 ◽  
pp. 4-4
Author(s):  
Taisya S. Bolshanina ◽  
Olga G. Litvinova
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Noise Control ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Small Towns ◽  
Industrial Facilities ◽  
Modern Methods ◽  
Set Up

The study is devoted to improving the quality of life in Siberian medium and small settlements through a range of noise control solutions. Field studies carried out in 2019 and 2020 revealed a problem of noise pollution in these settlements caused by highways cutting through their planning structure and industrial facilities set up in the immediate vicinity of residential buildings. Modern methods of protecting residential buildings against noise were considered and the noise control experiences of historical settlements were reviewed. The consideration of available engineering solutions along with cultural heritage restoration and reconstruction technologies suggested a range of actions to protect residential buildings located in the immediate vicinity of highways against noise.

scholarly journals Health-related quality of life among COVID-19 individuals: A cross-sectional study in Tamil Nadu, India

2022 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 100943
Author(s):  
Suganya Barani ◽  
Tarun Bhatnagar ◽  
Meenakumari Natarajan ◽  
Kumari Gayathri ◽  
Harshal Bhimrao Sonekar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

scholarly journals Changes in Quality of Life and Loneliness Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults Participating in Therapist-Guided Digital Mental Health Intervention

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine E. Gould ◽  
Chalise Carlson ◽  
Ana Jessica Alfaro ◽  
Christina F. Chick ◽  
Martha L. Bruce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Mental Health Interventions

Background: This study aimed to examine the effects of a 12-week multicomponent mobile app-delivered intervention, the Meru Health Program (MHP), on mental health quality of life (QoL) and loneliness among the middle-aged and older adults with depression symptoms.Methods: The eligible participants (M age = 57.06, SD = 11.26 years) were enrolled in the MHP, a therapist-supported mobile intervention. Using a non-randomized pre-post design, change in mental health QoL [WHO QoL Brief (WHOQOL-BREF) psychological health] and loneliness (UCLA Loneliness Scale) from baseline to post-treatment were examined. Time of enrollment [pre- vs. post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)] was included as a between-subjects factor in the repeated measures analyses.Results: Forty-two participants enrolled prior to the COVID-19 pandemic; eight enrolled after the pandemic began. Among the pre-COVID-19 enrollees, increase in mental health QoL, F(1, 38) = 12.61, p = 0.001, η2 = 0.25 and decreases in loneliness emerged, F(1, 38) = 5.42, p = 0.025, η2 = 0.13. The changes in mental health QoL, but not loneliness, held for the combined sample, such as post-COVID-19 enrollees, F(1, 44) = 6.02, p = 0.018, η2 = 0.12. The regression analyses showed that increases in mindfulness were associated with the increased mental health QoL and decreased loneliness.Conclusion: Therapist-supported digital mental health interventions, such as the MHP, have the potential to improve mental health QoL and decrease loneliness among the middle-aged and older adults. The findings for loneliness may not hold during the periods of mandated isolation. Instead, therapists supporting digital interventions may need to tailor their approach to target loneliness.

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