Blood donor app usage behaviour and perceptions: Considerations for a blood donation app

Background: South Africa often experiences critically low blood stock levels, making it vulnerable to blood shortages for everyday use and during times of crisis. There are over 3.5 billion smartphone users worldwide and, during 2019, app downloads were estimated at 204 billion. Considering that at least 51% of South Africans own a smartphone that can access the Internet and apps, it is clear that blood donation organisations in South Africa could benefit from engaging with the public through a mobile app. Objectives: This article aimed to determine whether South African blood donors' app usage behaviour and perceptions were conducive to introduce a blood donation app, and what these behaviours and perceptions could reveal, to support South African Blood Donation Organisations in their recruitment and engagement endeavours. Method: The research problem discussed in this article sought to highlight the app usage behaviour of blood donors, and their perceptions about a proposed blood donation app. Forming part of a larger sequential mixed-methods study, the data presented in this article were gathered through a quantitative online questionnaire involving 2154 South Africans respondents. Results: The findings revealed that the majority of respondents owned a smart device and that they used apps falling within the 'Communication' category. Of the respondents, 41% believed that a blood donation app will encourage younger South Africans to donate blood more regularly, whilst 25% of respondents were of the opinion that an app will motivate all South Africans to donate blood more often. Conclusion: The value of this research lies in the insight gained into the behaviour and perceptions of South African blood donors, which can inform the conceptualisation and design of a blood donation app, thereby improving its efficacy and subsequently supporting the strategy of employing such a technology to increase blood donation.

Mobile phone usage among nigerians: risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries and preventive strategies

Aims: The increase in the usage of hand-held devices (HHDs) and smartphones (SPs), especially in Nigeria has resulted in an upsurge of musculoskeletal complaints. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries due to mobile phone usage among Nigerians and the preventive strategies. Materials and Methods: This study involved 630 male and female participants above 18 years old who were purposively recruited across designated study centres in public places. The instrument used was a questionnaire specifically designed to suit the Nigerian culture and environment and developed from previously validated questionnaires. Data were exported to Statistical Computing Programming R version 4.0.5 for analysis and Chi-square was used to compare the characteristics of those who experienced injury using SPs/HHDS and those who did not. Independent variables with a 95% confidence level and P < 0.05 in the multivariate model were considered statistically significant. Results: The most common daily use of SPs/HHDS by the participants was phone calls (98.4%) followed closely by social networking (96.0%) while the occupation and educational level of the participants had statistically significant (P < 0.05) impact on musculoskeletal injuries. The type of mobile device and the time spent using these devices were also significant (P < 0.05) risk factors for injuries. Some self­treatment strategies adopted by the participants were all significantly (P < 0.05) associated with reduction of musculoskeletal discomfort. Conclusion: The occupation, educational level, the types of mobile devices and time spent using the devices were risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries

Using WhatsApp smartphone application to monitor INR in patients on Warfarin: first experience with 21 patients

Anticoagulation with warfarin is under-prescribed in eligible patients. The quality of anticoagulation as measured by Time in Therapeutic Range (TTR) is below the 60-70% standard in clinical practice (outside anticoagulation clinics) with lower rates in SubSaharan Africa when compared with Western Europe, Canada and the United States. WhatsApp is a free smartphone application that is increasingly used for telemedicine applications. In this retrospective study, we reviewed the use of WhatsApp for physician-patient communication of INR results and Warfarin dose adjustments. From March 5th, 2018 to May 15th, 2019, all patients (n=938) attending a private Cardiology clinic were offered WhatsApp as a means of direct communication with the Cardiologist on an as needed basis. 21 (2.2%) used it for INR reporting and Warfarin dose adjustment. The median age was 62 years, with a male to female ration of 10:11. The median TTR was 37% by Linear Interpolation, and 42.9% by percentage of therapeutic INRs. The median follow-up duration was 82 days. 23% of patients managed to achieve TTR of more than 72%. Most patients (61.9%) continued on warfarin during the study period, 9.5% switched to a Directly Acting Oral Anticoagulant, 9.5% stopped Warfarin due to bleeding while on therapeutic INR, 14.2% switched to another provider for INR monitoring, 9.5% were lost to follow-up. Smartphone technology may provide a solution for reduced Warfarin prescription for eligible patients, with some patients (23% in this study) achieving TTRs of more than 72%. However, overall TTR rates remained low in this study