Factors influencing user acceptance of weight management apps among Chinese obese individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: During the COVID-19 epidemic, the number of obesities increased rapidly in China. Weight management apps have potential value in controlling obesity. Objective: Explore the mechanisms behind the adoption of weight management applications by overweight and obese individuals, including psychological factors and demographic variables. Methods: The theoretical model was extended from the technology acceptance model (TAM), and the structural equation model was used for hypothesis testing. From January 2020 to December 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional survey in six megacities in mainland China during the COVID-19 pandemic by an online questionnaire. Results: 1364 participants completed the questionnaire, and the proposed theoretical model explained 55.7% of the variance in behavioral intention. Perceived usefulness was predicted by perceived ease of use (ß = 0. 290), attitude was jointly predicted by perceived usefulness (ß = 0.118) and perceived ease of use (ß = 0.159). Behavioral intention was predicted by perceived usefulness (ß = 0. 256), perceived ease of use (ß = 0. 463), attitude (ß = 0. 293), and perceived risk (ß = -0.136). Health awareness (ß=0.016) did not significantly affect behavioral intention. Four demographic variables gender, age, education, and residence exerted significant moderating effects in theoretical model. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 epidemic, the health awareness and behavior patterns of obese people have changed significantly. Psychological factors and demographic characteristics dynamically interact to generate user behavioral intentions of weight management applications. Weight management application developers and marketers should focus on perceived usefulness, safety, ease of use, and health awareness.

Factors associated with intention to uptake pneumococcal vaccines among Chinese elderly aged 60 years and older during the early stage of COVID-19 pandemic.

Innoculation of pneumococcal vaccines among the elderly is an effective public health policy to prevent pneumococcal diseases and it is widely promoted by many developed countries. The pneumococcal vaccination rate among the elderly in China was only 3.7% in 2019, it grew rapidly during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the psychological and demographic-economic factors related to the uptake behavior of pneumococcal vaccination among the Chinese elderly by using an integrated model based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), and knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP). The theoretical model was tested via structural equation modeling (SEM) with data collected from 516 Chinese older adults aged 60 years and older. Our results suggested that knowledge, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, attitude, and trust had a significant correlation with behavioral intention; behavioral intention and trust had a positive correlation with the uptake behavior, gender, and and education level and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exerted significant moderating effects. To increase the coverage of pneumococcal vaccination among the elderly, it is necessary to provide effective health education by authoritative experts, thereby enhancing their knowledge and positive attitude towardthe vaccination.

Characterizing Wuhan residents' mask-wearing intention at early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: As an effective measure to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic, wearing mask is widely recommended in countries around the world. This study aims to identify factors that explain the behavioral intention of Wuhan City urban residents to wear masks. METHODS: A theoretical model was extended on UTAUT by incorporating the feature on residents having relevant knowledge and sufficient awareness on the pandemic. During early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, an online survey was conducted in Wuhan City and 728 valid samples were collected from 35 communities. Structural equations modeling and bootstrapping were applied. RESULTS: Sample data present acceptable reliability and validity. Performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and knowledge about COVID-19 have positive effects on behavioral intention. Facilitating condition, knowledge, and behavioral intention have significant effects on use behavior. Gender, age, education, income, and current marital status are significant moderators in the theoretical model. CONCLUSION: Having relevant knowledge on the pandemic, together with performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating condition, affects behavioral intention and usage behavior of Wuhan residents to wear masks at early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Subgroups have different psychological mechanisms based on their demographic characteristics. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Health policy makers should focus on enhancing residents' knowledge on infectious disease and their awareness of the risk mitigation, and develop personalized measures for different subgroups.