scholarly journals Health-Related Internet Use in Hard-to-Reach Populations: Empirical Findings From a Survey in a Remote and Mountainous Province in China (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
HongMin Li ◽  
Jin Xu ◽  
Lingui Li ◽  
Qingyue Meng
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Health Related

BACKGROUND The expanding use of the internet contributes to more effective searches for health-related information and opens up opportunities for direct Web-based communication with health care professionals. However, little is known about how users’ characteristics on the demand side influence health-related internet use, especially in remote and rural areas within developing countries. The absence of accurate estimates of users’ characteristics and their impact on adaptations of health care services in developing countries constrains focused policy-centered discussions and the design of appropriate policies. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of health-related internet use and to identify its determinants in a remote province in China. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey in June and July of 2018 in Ningxia, located in northwestern China. Rural households were selected by multistage random sampling, and households’ key members were interviewed face-to-face at the respondents’ home. Dependent variables were whether the households use Web health services or not. Independent variables were chosen based on the Andersen behavioral model. Sociodemographic characteristics were compared between households that used health-related Web services with nonusers. We applied logistic regression models to evaluate multivariate associations between respondents’ characteristics and their usage of Web-based health services and obtained odds ratios with 95% CI. RESULTS A total of 1354 respondents from rural households were interviewed, of whom 707 (52.22%) were men. The mean age of the respondents was 44.54 years (SD 10.22). Almost half of the surveyed households (640/1354, 47.27%) reported using 1 or more Web-based health care services, whereas 37.8% (502/1354) reported using the internet to obtain health-related information, 15.51% (210/1354) used the internet to communicate with professionals about health issues, and 7.24% (98/1354) had engaged in Web-based consultations in the last year. After controlling for potential confounders, households engaged in health-related internet use were found to be wealthier, have higher health demands, and have less geographic access to high-quality health care compared with other households. CONCLUSIONS The internet has become a major health information resource in rural Ningxia. Social structures, family enabling factors, health needs, and characteristics relating to health care access were significant predictors of households’ health-related internet use in rural and remote areas in China. Those who belong to older age groups, have low income, and whose education levels do not extend beyond primary school education are significantly less likely to use Web-based health care services and to benefit from Web-based health care programs. A need for continued collaborative efforts involving multiple stakeholders, including communities, Web-based and other health care providers, family members, and the government is needed.

scholarly journals Health-Related Internet Use by Children and Adolescents: Systematic Review (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eunhee Park ◽  
Misol Kwon
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Internet Use ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Health Related

BACKGROUND The internet is widely used by children and adolescents, who generally have a high level of competency with technology. Thus, the internet has become a great resource for supporting youth self-care and health-related services. However, few studies have explored adolescents’ internet use for health-related matters. OBJECTIVE The objective of this systematic literature review was to examine the phenomenon of children and adolescents’ health-related internet use and to identify gaps in the research. METHODS A total of 19 studies were selected from a search of major electronic databases: PubMed, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and PsycINFO using the following search terms: “health-related internet use,” “eHealth,” “Internet use for health-related purpose,” “Web-based resource,” “health information seeking,” and “online resource,” combined with “child,” “adolescent,” “student,” “youth,” and “teen.” The children’s and adolescents’ ages were limited to 24 years and younger. The search was conducted from September 2015 to October 2017. The studies identified to contain youth (<24 years) health-related internet use were all published in peer-reviewed journals in the past 10 years; these studies examined general internet use seeking health care services, resources, information, or using the internet for health promotion and self-care. Studies were excluded if they explored the role of the internet as a modality for surveys, recruitment, or searching for relevant literature without specifically aiming to study participants’ health-related internet use; focused solely on quality assurance for specific websites; or were designed to test a specific internet-based intervention. RESULTS Interesting patterns in adolescents’ health-related internet use, such as seeking preventative health care and specific information about medical issues, were identified. Quantitative studies reported rates of the internet use and access among youth, and the purpose and patterns of health-related internet use among youth were identified. A major objective of health-related internet use is to gain information, but there are inconsistencies in adolescents’ perceptions of health-related internet use. CONCLUSIONS This study’s findings provide important information on how youth seek information and related support systems for their health care on the internet. The conceptual and methodological limitations of the identified studies, such as the lack of a theoretical background and unrepresentative samples, are discussed, and gaps within the studies are identified for future research. This review also suggests important features for potential Web-based health interventions for children and adolescents.

scholarly journals Maternal Healthcare Utilization among Mothers Aged 15-24 Years in Indonesia: a Literature Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Mabda Novalia Istafa ◽  
Ferry Efendi ◽  
Erna Dwi Wahyuni
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Maternal Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Maternal Health Services ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Important Concern ◽  
Use Of Health Care

Introduction: The use of health care services in mothers was a very important concern in developing countries because it was very beneficial in terms of declining maternal mortality rate, but the use of maternal health services in mothers aged 15-24 years In Indonesia was still not maximized. The purpose of this review was to analyze best practices in the use of maternal health services in mothers aged 15-24 years.Method: The systematic review of this search was done by the publication range was five years ago. Article criteria were articles reviewed by Bestari Partners, government documents and research locations in developing countries. Acquired 10 references that meet predefined criteria.Results: The analysis obtained was the use of maternal health services in mothers aged 15-24 years needs to be increased by looking at the factors that influence among them were seeing from the socio-demography of mothers and husbands, household factors, access to health services and regional factors.Conclusion: These recommendations are aimed at governments, health professionals and families that efforts to increase not only can be done by a single community line, but the whole must also be able to cooperate by the role in the efforts to increase the use of Health care services.

Needs assessment for gender sensitive reproductive health services for adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Rahmanian ◽  
Soheila Nazarpour ◽  
Masoumeh Simbar ◽  
Ali Ramezankhani ◽  
Farid Zayeri
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Reproductive Health Services ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Reproductive Health Care ◽  
Care Services

AbstractBackgroundA dimension of reproductive health services that should be gender sensitive is reproductive health services for adolescents.ObjectiveThis study aims to assess needs for gender sensitive reproductive health care services for adolescents.MethodsThis was a descriptive cross-sectional study on 341 of health care providers for adolescents in health centers and hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Iran in 2016. The subjects of the study were recruited using a convenience sampling method. The tools for data collection were: (1) a demographic information questionnaire and; (2) a valid and reliable questionnaire to Assess the Needs of Gender-Sensitive Adolescents Reproductive Health Care Services (ANQ-GSARHS) including three sections; process, structure and policy making for the services. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21.ResultsThree hundred and forty-one health providers with an average working experience of 8.77 ± 5.39 [mean ± standard deviation (SD)] years participated in the study. The results demonstrated the highest scores for educational needs (92.96% ± 11.49%), supportive policies (92.71% ± 11.70%) and then care needs (92.37% ± 14.34%) of the services.ConclusionsProviding gender sensitive reproductive health care services for adolescents needs to be reformed as regards processes, structure and policies of the services. However, the gender appropriate educational and care needs as well as supportive policies are the priorities for reform of the services.

Variation in Utilization of Health Care Services for Rural VA Enrollees With Mental Health-Related Diagnoses

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 244-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher E. Johnson ◽  
Ruth L. Bush ◽  
Jeffrey Harman ◽  
Jane Bolin ◽  
Gina Evans Hudnall ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Health Related

The validity of mobile applications to facilitate patient care provided to cancer patients: opportunities and limitations

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haneen Amawi ◽  
Sayer Alazzam ◽  
Tasnim Alzanati ◽  
Neveen Altamimi ◽  
Alaa Hammad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Free Access ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Detailed Assessment

Background: The use of health-related applications (apps) on smartphones has become widespread. This is especially of value during the ongoing SAR-COV-2 pandemic, where the accessibility for health care services has been greatly limited. Patients with free access to apps can obtain information to improve their understanding and management of health issues. Currently, there are cancer-related apps available on iPhones and androids. However, there are no guidelines to control these apps and ensure their quality. Furthermore, these apps may significantly modify the patients’ perception and knowledge toward drug-related health services. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the convenience, quality, safety and efficacy of apps for cancer patient care. Methods: The study was conducted by searching all apps related to cancer care on both Google Play Store and Apple iTunes Store. A detailed assessment was then performed using the mobile application rating scale (MARS) and risk assessment tools. Results: The results indicated that on a scale from 1-5, 47% of the apps were rated ≥ 4. The MARS assessment of the apps indicated an overall quality rating of 3.38 ± 0.9 (mean ± SD). The visual appeal of the app was found to have a significant effect on app functionality and user engagement. The potential benefits of these apps come with challenges and limitations. Patents related to smartphone applications targeting patients were also discussed. Conclusion: We recommend a greater emphasis toward producing evidence-based apps. These apps should be rigorously tested, evaluated and updated by experts, particularly clinical pharmacists. Also, these may alter patient attitudes toward services provided by physicians and pharmacists. Finally, these apps should not replace in-person interactive health services.

scholarly journals Satisfaction of clients with disabilities with services offered at primary health care centres in Ndola, Zambia

2012 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Mlenzana ◽  
R. Mwansa
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Health

To establish satisfaction level of persons with disabilitiesregarding health services at primary health care centres in Ndola, Zambia.Key stakeholders views on satisfaction of services is an important componentof service rendering thus obtaining information is important in assistingwith the evaluation of health care service delivery. This will assist in improvingeffectiveness and availability of health care services to persons with physicaldisabilities.All persons with disabilities attending both rehabilitation centres andprimary health care centres in Ndola, Zambia, were targeted for this study. Willing participants were convenientlyselected to take part in the study.A cross sectional, descriptive study design using quantitative methods of data collection was used. The GeneralPractice Assessment Questionnaire was adjusted, piloted for Ndola population and used in this study to establishsatisfaction of participants. The study was ethically cleared at the University of the Western Cape and Zambia.Information and consent forms were signed by participants.Quantitative data was analysed descriptively and was reported in percentages.In the current study there were 191 participants of whom 56% were male and 44% were female with age rangefrom 18-65 years. Fifty-two percent of the participants presented with learning disabilities and 38% of persons withphysical disabilities. Majority of clients (54%) were dissatisfied with availability of services and health care servicesat the health care centres. Areas that clients were dissatisfied with were accessibility, consultation with health professionals,waiting times and opening hours of the health care centres.Clients with disabilities who accessed health care services from selected health centres in Ndola were dissatisfiedwith aspects of health services. Accessibility, consultation with health professionals, waiting times and opening hoursof the health care centres were the origin of client dissatisfaction. Other clients were satisfied with thoroughness ofhealth care providers regarding symptoms, feelings, reception and treatment received at the primary health care centre.Understanding the views of the clients is essential in improving health delivery services and could impact on thecompliance of people attending primary health care services.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document