Promoting Sustainable Mobility: To What Extent Is “Health” Considered by Mobility App Studies? A Review and a Conceptual Framework

Promoting cycling and walking in cities improves individual health and wellbeing and, together with public transport, promotes societal sustainability patterns. Recently, smartphone apps informing and motivating sustainable mobility usage have increased. Current research has applied and investigated these apps; however, none have specifically considered mobility-related health components within mobility apps. The aim of this study is to examine the (potential) role of health-related information provided in mobility apps to influence mobility behavior. Following a systematic literature review of empirical studies applying mobility apps, this paper (1) investigates the studies and mobility apps regarding communicated information, strategies, and effects on mobility behavior and (2) explores how, and to what extent, health and its components are addressed. The reviewed studies focus on environmental information, especially CO2-emissions. Health is represented by physical activity or calories burned. The self-exposure to air pollution, noise, heat, traffic injuries or green spaces is rarely addressed. We propose a conceptual framework based on protection motivation theory to include health in mobility apps for sustainable mobility behavior change. Addressing people’s self-protective motivation could empower mobility app users. It might be a possible trigger for behavior change, leading towards healthy and sustainable mobility and thus, have individual and societal benefits.

Factors associated with the consumption of chlorine dioxide to prevent and treat COVID-19 in the Peruvian population: a cross-sectional study

Background Chlorine dioxide has been promoted as an alternative for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, especially in Peru, despite the lack of evidence to support its efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with chlorine dioxide consumption in the Peruvian population. Methods Analytical cross-sectional study. An adult Peruvian population was evaluated where chlorine dioxide consumption was divided into two groups according to the purpose of use: as prevention (individuals without COVID-19 history) and as treatment (individuals with COVID-19 history). The associated factors in each group were evaluated using Poisson regressions with the bootstrapping resampling method. Results Of 3610 participants included, 3213 reported no history of COVID-19, and 397 had been infected. The prevalence of chlorine dioxide consumption to prevent or treat COVID-19 was 8 and 16%, respectively. Factors either positively or negatively associated with chlorine dioxide consumption for prevention were male sex (aPR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.09–1.71), being an adult or older adult (aPR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.35–0.82), having a health sciences student within the family unit (aPR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.02–1.87), using medical information as the main source of information of COVID-19 (aPR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.40–0.80), having comorbidities for COVID-19 (aPR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.01–1.82), considering COVID-19 dangerous and deadly (aPR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.45–0.74), using medications (aPR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.25–2.06) and plants to prevent COVID-19 (aPR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.21–2.36), considering chlorine dioxide ineffective (aPR: 0.18; 95% CI: 0.18–0.24), and being uninformed of its efficacy (aPR: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.16–0.28). In addition, factors associated with chlorine dioxide consumption for treatment were considering COVID-19 dangerous and deadly (aPR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.33–0.96), considering chlorine dioxide ineffective (aPR: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.12–0.42), and being uninformed of its efficacy (aPR: 0.15; 95% CI: 0.07–0.32). Conclusions The prevalence of chlorine dioxide consumption to treat COVID-19 was higher than prevent. It is important to apply information strategies, prioritizing population groups with certain characteristics that are associated with a higher consumption pattern.

Understanding the Emotion Coping Strategies During Public Emergencies – From the Perspective of Psychological Distance

Research has investigated behavioral coping strategies for the negative emotions that public emergencies elicit. Accordingly, our current research explored how people coped with negative emotions in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, from a cognitive perspective. Building on the theory of psychological distance and self-construal, we proposed that people who experienced fear, sadness and anxiety responded with independent-self construal, focusing on information that related to themselves and the novel virus (independent information). On the other hand, people who experienced fear, sadness and anger responded with interdependent-self construal, focusing on information that pertained to “us”, the virus and nature (interdependent information). We collected data from 1,142 participants at both the initial peak of the outbreak and when its spread had subsided. Based on this longitudinal data, we examined the effectiveness of these strategies, and our findings suggested that independent information was effective in decreasing fear and anxiety, while interdependent information effectively mitigated sadness. The findings could help researchers, practitioners, governments, and organizations to implement appropriate information strategies to regulate individuals’ negative emotions during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women’s attitudes and fears regarding the COVID-19 vaccination

Purpose The COVID-19 vaccination is probably the most important source to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. However, recommendations and possibilities for vaccination for pregnant and breastfeeding women are inconsistent and dynamically changing. Methods An anonymous, online, cross-sectional survey was conducted among pregnant and breastfeeding women in Germany between 30th March and 19th April 2021 addressing COVID-19 vaccination attitudes including the underlying reasons for their decision. Additionally, anxiety regarding a SARS-CoV-2 infection and a symptomatic course of the infection were evaluated. Results In total, 2339 women (n = 1043 pregnant and n = 1296 breastfeeding) completed the survey. During pregnancy the majority (57.4%) are not in favour of receiving the vaccine, 28.8% are unsure and only 13.8% would get vaccinated at the time of the survey. In contrast, 47.2% would be in favour to receive the vaccine, if more scientific evidence on the safety of the vaccination during pregnancy would be available. Breastfeeding women show higher vaccination willingness (39.5% are in favour, 28.1% are unsure and 32.5% not in favour). The willingness to be vaccinated is significantly related to the women’s anxiety levels of getting infected and to develop disease symptoms. Main reasons for vaccination hesitancy are the women’s perception of limited vaccination-specific information, limited scientific evidence on vaccination safety and the fear to harm the fetus or infant. Conclusions The results provide important implications for obstetrical care during the pandemic as well as for official recommendations und information strategies regarding the COVID-19 vaccination.

Agent-Based Modeling and Simulation of Tourism Market Recovery Strategy after COVID-19 in Yunnan, China

The tourism industry hit severely by COVID-19 faces the challenge of developing effective market recovery strategies. Nonetheless, the existing literature is still limited regarding the dynamic evolution process and management practice. Hence, this study chose several famous spots in the Yunnan Province of China as the focus for a case study and utilized an agent-based simulation method for the decision-making process of tourists’ destination selection and the dynamic recovery process of the destinations under different price and information strategies. The study found that the recovery effects of information strategies are positive, negative, or have no effect in different destinations. In contrast, price strategies can significantly stimulate an increase in the market share of destinations. When price strategy and information strategy are applied simultaneously, the interaction effects are inconsistent in different destinations. The findings contribute to the prediction of the recovery effect of strategies, can reduce trial and error costs, and can improve the scientific understanding of tourism market recovery.

Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination in the Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Study in Southern Italy

In Italy, at the end of 2020, a voluntary immunization plan against COVID-19 was introduced, involving elderly among the first target categories. The aim of this study was to assess, through an online questionnaire, the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination in a sample of older adults from southern Italy. Of a total of 1041 respondents (41.7% males, mean age 76.6 ± 6.5), 965 (92.7%) were vaccinated or willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19, although less than half of the sample was favorable to vaccinations and agreed with mandatory immunization. Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination was found to be positively related with higher educational level (OR = 1.875, CI95% = 1.113–3.161; p = 0.018) and having social/mass media as a main source of information (OR = 2.415 CI95% = 1.358–4.296, p = 0.003). On the contrary, an inverse relationship was found between acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination and having fulfilled the questionnaire after the introduction of green pass (OR = 0.218, CI95% = 0.129–0.369; p < 0.001). Therefore, although this evidence needs to be further confirmed, it is possible to agree with previous studies reporting that compulsory measures, such as green pass implementation, must be accompanied by effective education and information strategies of the target population.

Pemberdayaan Literasi Digital di Desa Waringin Kurung, Cimanggu Pandeglang

Digital literacy is used to find, analyze, create, and transmit information and communication technology information. Based on the experience of several countries, the use of information technology has become one of the drivers of economic development, especially in rural areas and can encourage regional development. The use of ICT is considered effective in reducing community migration from rural to urban areas and improving the quality of government services through e-governance. Waringin Kurung Village is one of the isolated villages with a neighborhood located in the southern part of Banten Province, directly adjacent to the Ujung Kulon National Park area. This community service aims to improve the ability of village officials in utilizing digital literacy for the efficiency of the village service system, encouraging the dissemination of village information and village information. The method of implementing digital literacy development consists of three stages: a practice test by socializing the use of electronic mail (email), and understanding test through pretest and post-test on the use of Microsoft word applications, and case studies and problem-solving about information strategies. We conclude that higher education communities should involve more in developing digital literacy in rural villages. It will help rural communities use technology for their village administration and enhance public information management through the website and other digital channels. Abstrak Literasi Digital digunakan untuk menemukan, menganalisis, membuat, dan mengirimkan informasi menggunakan teknologi informasi dan komunikasi, Berdasarkan pengalaman beberapa negara, pemanfaatan teknologi informasi telah menjadi salah satu penggerak pembangunan ekonomi khususnya di daerah pedesaan dan mampu mempercepat pembangunan daerah. pemanfaatan TIK dianggap efektif dalam mengurangi migrasi masyarakat dari desa ke kota dan meningkatkan kualitas pelayanan pemerintahan melalui e-governance. Desa Waringin Kurung merupakan salah satu desa terisolir dengan wilayah mayoritas dataran tinggi yang terletak dibagian selatan Provinsi Banten berdekatan langsung dengan wilayah Taman Nasional Ujung Kulon. Tujuan dalam pengabdian masyarakat ini adalah untuk meningkatkan kemampuan perangkat desa dalam memanfaatkan literasi digital guna efisiensi sistem pelayanan Desa, mempercepat penyampaian informasi desa, keterbukaan informasi Desa. Metode pelaksanaan kegiatan pengembangan literasi digital terdiri dari tiga tahapan diantaranya, tahap pertama adalah uji praktek dengan sosialisasi penggunaan surat elektronik (email), tahap kedua adalah uji pemahaman melalui pretest dan post test tentang penggunaan aplikasi Microsoft word, tahap ketiga adalah studi kasus dan pemecahan masalah tentang strategi mempercepat keterbukaan informasi. Hasil dan Simpulan kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat sangat penting dilakukan oleh perguruan tinggi guna membantu masyarakat desa dalam penggunaan teknologi informasi, terutama membantu desa dalam proses administrasi desa melalui pemanfaatan email dan microsoft word, kemudian menyampaikan informasi publik desa kepada masyarakat melalui website desa perihal profil desa, keterbukaan APBD desa, struktur perangkat desa, prosedur pengurusan dokumen, ketersediaan dokumen secara online hingga keterbukaan laporan kinerja Desa. Kata Kunci: pemberdayaan desa; literasi teknologi informasi; literasi digital; perangkat desa; waringinkurung

” I always ask all the necessary questions anyway“: Swedish police interviewers’ experiences when questioning uncooperative suspects

Purpose. Research-based interviewing techniques for detecting deceit typically rely upon suspects being, at least partially, responsive and engaged in the conversation. To date, the scientific literature is more limited regarding situations where the suspect remains silent or speaks very little. The present study aimed to examine Swedish police officers’ self-reported strategies when interviewing uncooperative suspects. Methods. A total of 289 police officers responded to a national survey that included questions about handling silence. The participants worked with a wide range of criminal cases, including financial crimes, fraud, violent offences, domestic abuse, volume crime, and traffic violations. We used content analysis to examine their written responses to the open-ended question: “What, if any, strategies do you use when interviewing suspects who speak very little or not at all?”. Results. Four main categories were identified relating to (1) question strategies (e.g., asking the questions anyway, using silence), (2) information strategies (e.g., emphasizing the benefits of cooperating, informing about their legal right to silence), (3) supportive strategies (e.g., being friendly, asking about reasons for silence), and (4) procedural strategies (e.g., changing interviewers, conducting multiple interviews). Practitioners working with violent crimes reported meeting uncooperative suspects more frequently compared to practitioners working with other criminal offences. Conclusions. The results provide an initial exploration into the various strategies used by police interviewers when questioning uncooperative suspects. Gaining a better understanding about the underlying reasons behind silence in different criminal contexts may facilitate the development of effective strategies for overcoming resistance.

Decrease in late presentation for HIV care in Kinshasa, DRC, 2006–2020

Introduction Late presentation for HIV care is a well-described issue for the success of ART outcomes and the cause of higher morbidity, mortality and further transmission. Monitoring the level of late presentation and understanding the factors associated with it would help to tailor screening and information strategies for better efficiency. We performed a retrospective cohort study in Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC. The studied population included HIV-positive adults newly enrolled in HIV care between January 2006 and June 2020 at 25 HIV urban care facilities. Patient information collected at presentation for HIV care included age, sex, WHO clinical stage and screening context. We used 2 definitions of late presentation: the WHO definition of advanced HIV disease (WHO stage 3/4 or CD4 cell count < 200 cells/mm3) and a more inclusive definition (WHO stage 3/4 or CD4 cell count < 350 cells/mm3). Results A total of 10,137 HIV-infected individuals were included in the analysis. The median age was 40 years; 68% were female. A total of 45.9% or 47.5% of the patients were late presenters, depending on the definition used. The percentage of patients with late presentation (defined as WHO stage 3/4 or CD4 cell count < 350 cells/mm3) decreased during recent years, from 70.7% in 2013 to 46.5% in 2017 and 23.4% in 2020. Age was associated with a significantly higher risk of LP (p < 0.0001). We did not observe any impact of sex. Conclusions The frequency of late presentation for care is decreasing in Kinshasa, DRC. Efforts have to be continued. In particular, the issue of late diagnosis in older individuals should be addressed.