Barriers to Electric Vehicle Adoption in Thailand

Electric vehicles (EVs) are considered to be a solution for sustainable transportation. EVs can reduce fossil fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and the negative impacts of climate change and global warming, as well as help improve air quality. However, EV adoption in Thailand is quite low. Against this backdrop, this study investigates barriers and motivators for EV adoption and their public perception in Thailand. A total of 454 responses were collected through an online questionnaire. The results indicate that the top three concerns of respondents about EVs are public infrastructure and vehicle performance in terms of charge range and battery life. Respondents with more than five years of driving experience in the age range of 26–35 years old could be key targets for early EV adoption.

Barriers and Motivators to Physical Activity Prior to Starting a Community-Based Walking Program

Despite the clear benefits of an active lifestyle, most American adults fail to meet physical activity (PA) guidelines. Because of its safety and ease, walking is a promising population-level strategy to increase PA. There is a need to further understand why adults do and do not participate in walking. This study provides a broader understanding of barriers and motivators of walking prior to starting a walking program. Four years of baseline data from a community-based walking program were analyzed (n = 1491). Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, barriers, reinforcements, and current PA. Chi-square tests were used to assess differences in the barrier and reinforcement responses between participant’s PA level and age categories. Open-ended responses were analyzed using thematic analysis. On average, participants were white (96%), middle-aged (52 ± 13 years old) females (92%). Poor weather and time were frequently reported barriers to walking. Open-ended responses (n = 141) identified additional barriers of lack of motivation (n = 37), joint issues (n = 29), fatigue (n = 24), safety or lack of environmental supports (n = 17), family or work demands (n = 15), and lacking a walking partner (n = 9). Good weather, health, and weight loss were frequently reported motivators. Additional motivators (n = 282) identified included stress relief and mental health (n = 82), social time (n = 70), dog care (n = 41), other health benefits (n = 38), connect with nature (n = 19), enjoyment (14), occupation (n = 11), and environmental and community supports (n = 6). Findings highlight the importance of understanding participant barriers and motivators for PA before starting a program. Future research should examine how reported barriers and motivators are related to program completion and adherence. Tailoring community-based programs to address specific barriers and motivators may enable more participants to effectively change and maintain PA.

Barriers and Motivators to Opioid Treatment Among Suburban Women Who Are Pregnant and Mothers in Caregiver Roles

Women of childbearing age who misuse opioids are a particularly vulnerable population, and their barriers to treatment are unique because of their caregiver roles. Research on treatment for opioid use generally draws from urban and rural areas. This study fills a gap in research that focuses on barriers and motivators to opioid treatment in suburban areas. The aim of this study was to give voice to suburban pregnant women and mothers caring for children while using opioids. Ethnographic methods were used for recruitment, and 58 in-depth interviews were analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach. Barriers to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) included stigma, staff attitudes, and perceptions the women had about MAT treatment. Barriers associated with all types of treatment included structural factors and access difficulties. Relationships with partners, friends, family, and providers could be barriers as well as motivators, depending on the social context of the women’s situation. Our findings suggest increasing treatment-seeking motivators for mothers and pregnant women by identifying lack of resources, more empathetic consideration of social environments, and implementing structural changes to overcome barriers. Findings provide a contemporary understanding of how suburban landscapes affect mothers’ treatment-seeking for opioid dependence and suggest the need for more focus on emotional and structural resources rather than strict surveillance of women with opioid dependence who are pregnant or caring for children.

A Survey Of Perceived Barriers And Motivators Towards Exercise Among People With Parkinson’s Disease In Malaysia

INTRODUCTION: Considerable amount of evidence supports that exercise plays a vital role in maintaining and slowing Parkinson's disease (PD) progression. However, some people with PD have remained sedentary for undefined reasons. Therefore, the perceived barriers and motivators towards exercise among people with PD among Malaysian were investigated. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-developed and validated questionnaire distributed to forty-seven people with PD in a non[1]governmental organisation to determine exercise barriers and motivators. RESULTS: The exercise motivators in the study were having an exercise instructor (83.0%), exercise makes them feel healthier and more energetic (83.0%), and constant encouragement from family and friends (80.9%). The exercise barriers reported in this study were fatigue (40.4%) fear of falling (34%), bad weather (38.2%), and lack of transportation (31.9%). CONCLUSION: The study concluded that people with PD exercised because it makes them feel healthier and more energetic. Besides that, having an exercise instructor and being encouraged by family and friends reported being exercise motivators among the people in this study. The exercise barriers reported in this study were fatigue, bad weather, fear of falling, and lack of transportation. These findings should be taken into consideration when developing strategies and health interventions to improve exercise participation for people with PD.

Barriers and motivators of contraceptive use among young people in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review of qualitative studies

Background In sub-Saharan Africa, about 80% of young women either use a traditional method or do not use any form of contraception at all. The objectives of this review were to ascertain the barriers and motivators of contraceptive use among young people in Sub–Saharan Africa. Materials and methods We conducted electronic literature searches in PubMed, EMBASE, Ebsco/PsycINFO and Scopus. We identified a total of 4,457 publications and initially screened 2626 based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). A total of 13 qualitative studies were retained for the final analysis based on the Joanna Briggs criteria for assessing qualitative studies. The systematic review is registered on PROSPERO with identifier CRD42018081877. Results Supportive social networks, respect for privacy and confidentiality, ready availability, affordability and accessibility of contraceptives, as well as the desire to prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections were the motivators of contraceptive use among young people in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite these motivators, myriad of personal, societal, and health systems-based barriers including myths and misconceptions, known side effects of contraceptives, prohibitive social norms, and negative attitude of health professionals were the major barriers to contraceptive use among young people. Conclusion Sub-Saharan African countries with widespread barriers to contraceptive use among young people may not be able to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 3.8 target of achieving health for all by the year 2030. Interventions intended to improve contraceptive use need to be intersectoral and multi-layered, and designed to carefully integrate the personal, cultural, organizational and political dimensions of contraception.