Think About It: Promoting Physical Activity with a Mobile App with a Theory-based Approach

Currently, people’s highly busy lifestyles and sedentary behavior contribute negatively to multiple health factors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the different sanitary measures, such as limited mobility and the closing of gyms and sports centers, have contributed to limited physical activity. In this context, there are several apps to enhance physical activity across all mobile stores with an emphasis on mobile sensing. However, the use of a formal theory incorporated into the app development and interventions is less evident. A theory-based approach contributes to understanding the reasons and situations in which an intervention strategy can have an impact. The present work considers the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM), which addresses persuasion and attitude change. Can we develop a persuasive app that promotes physical activity based on contemporary attitudes and behavioral change theories? We developed a mobile application for Android OS. Then, 63 participants tested it, and were encouraged to think of ideas or arguments in favor of doing physical activity in a high elaboration task. A mediation analysis was done, with results showing that attitudes partially mediate the association between thought and physical activity. Participants’thoughts were seen to be positively correlated with their attitudes;and, in turn, participants’attitudes were correlated with their behavioral intention (to do physical activity). This suggests that a theory-based approach for the active production of biased beliefs is effective when designing an app that encourages positive attitudes toward physical activity. Author

Mental health service use and associated predisposing, enabling and need factors in community living adults and older adults across Canada.

OBJECTIVES: Using Andersen's model of health care seeking behavior, we examined the predisposing, enabling, and need factors associated with mental health service use (MHSU) during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic across Canada. METHODS: The sample included n = 45,542 participants in the 5 established regional cohorts of the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow's Health (CanPath) and who responded to the CanPath COVID-19 health survey (May-December 2020), with complete data on MHSU. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out to study MHSU as a function of predisposing, enabling, and need factors. Analyses were stratified by regional cohort. RESULTS: Among the need factors, individuals reporting moderate/severe symptoms of depression and anxiety and poorer self-rated mental health were more likely to report MHSU. Among the enabling factors, receipt of informational/financial/practical support was associated with increased MHSU. While income was not consistently associated with MHSU, reported decrease in income was marginally associated with reduced MHSU. Among the predisposing factors, identifying as female or other gender minority was associated with increased MHSU, as was the presence of past-year cannabis use. In contrast, older age and alcohol consumption were associated with reduced MHSU. CONCLUSION: Need factors were consistently associated with MHSU. Although income inequities in MHSU were not observed, changes such as reduced income during the pandemic may lead to barriers in accessing mental health services. Future research should focus on better identifying contextual enabling factors and policies that overcome financial barriers to MHSU.

COVID-19 Risk Level Assessment: A Case of Food Sector Employees

This study empirically determines the risk level of food sector employees for the virus COVID-19 infection, specifically those who are under the food sector in the Philippines. This paper utilizes the RIKA Risk Assessment Tool to assess health, behavioral, exposure, and social factors that may contribute to the overall risk score of individuals. The researchers used data from a sample of 55 respondents obtained from a digital survey containing the RIKA Risk Assessment Tool, which was then analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. The results of the statistical analysis used presented low to moderate risk levels of being infected with COVID-19 based on the personal assessment of their surroundings and health practices of the food sector employees. Researchers found that workers in the Philippines' food sector are exposed to a variety of risk factors: health, behavioral, exposure, and social policy. The majority have a moderate impact upon the said results;however, adhering to proper hygiene, community standards, and lockdown policies can significantly influence outcomes. © 2022 ACM.

Exploring Technology Usage of Southeast Asian Elderly Women for Better Mental Health during COVID-19 Pandemic

The elderly population worldwide got immensely affected by the increased isolation and risk for complications due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, elderly women get more affected by social isolation and distress irrespective of health factors. We aim to understand how urban elderly women in Southeast Asia-typically highly dependent on the other family members due to cultural practices-took care of their mental health with uncertainty and distress using technology during the social distance period. Through 19 semi-structured interviews with participants from six Southeast Asian countries and analyzing the data using thematic analysis, we surfaced that our participants started learning different technology with great enthusiasm and used them for their mental well-being during the pandemic period. This paper portrays how our participants enhanced interpersonal bonding, cultivated self-care and creative outlets, and facilitated positivism around their social circle using different technology platforms to mitigate their stress and uncertainty during the pandemic. Our participants' technology usage for better mental well-being during the COVID-19 period provides HCI researchers with valuable design guidelines. Here, we contribute by expanding the HCI community's understanding of technology design within the intersection of the elderly population and mental health for the Southeast Asian cultural context. © 2022 ACM.

Factors associated with depression and anxiety symptoms among U.S. physicians during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 global pandemic impacted the mental health of frontline workers of all disciplines across the world. The purpose of this study was to examine the protective and risk factors associated with depression scores (PHQ-9) and anxiety scores (GAD-7) of physicians practicing within the United States during the earliest phase of the pandemic. Anonymous online survey data was collected from 1,724 U.S. physicians between April – June of 2020 for this cross-sectional observational study. Recruitment was conducted via email and social media outlets. Multiple linear regression with multiple imputation of missing data was used to explore associations between each risk factor and outcome measure (PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores). Worry related to COVID-19 was associated with greater depression and anxiety scores. COVID-related changes (i.e. decreased exercise, increased alcohol intake, and decreased sleep) were each associated with greater mean depression and anxiety scores. Greater perception of employer support was associated with lower mean depression and anxiety scores while greater increase in telehealth usage was associated with greater mean depression and anxiety scores. Identification of protective and risk factors associated with depression and anxiety remains important to consider as the global pandemic continues to evolve, and healthcare workers continue to face ongoing stressors within the occupational setting. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of International Journal of Health Promotion & Education is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Physical Ergonomics Analysis for use of Non- Contact Infrared Thermometer Gun

Living in the "new-normal"world, the non-contact infrared temperature checks is expected to remain until such time that the treatment and vaccine against COVID-19 becomes available worldwide. Changing the mindset of the people is also a huge factor to consider in order to feel comfortable again without wearing a mask or conducting such pre-cautions. This paper aims to identify the relationship of the health and environmental factors to the discomfort that the person conducting the checks experience. The case study was done using the data gathered in the interviews, surveys, Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaires (CMDQ), conducted Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) analysis. Minitab 18 was used to derived the correlation between the age, height, shifts, number of guests checked, RULA and REBA score to the discomfort experienced by the participants, using statistical analysis. This study will provide simple ideas that should help improve the staff welfare while performing the monotonous task. One of its objectives is to provide information on how to reduce the discomfort. It is also hoped that this study can serve as a reference in resolving similar tasks that promotes Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). It aims to open up ideas on reducing the risks related to other new activities that are being performed in relation to this pandemic. © 2021 ACM.

[CHANGING OF SOCIAL WELL-BEING AND HEALTH OF OLDER WOMEN DURING COVID-19: OBJECTIVE AND SUBJECTIVE FACTORS].

The social well-being and health of citizens of all countries has been greatly tested during the pandemic of COVID-19. The situation has exacerbated many social problems. Older women found themselves in a particularly difficult situation, who experienced increased psychological burden, deteriorating health conditions, and social isolation. Even the family had not always proved to be a way of improving the status of women. All this has led to the need to examine the real problems, the objective and subjective factors affecting women's social well-being and the ways in which older women are better off.

Risk factors associated with mortality of COVID-19 in 3125 counties of the United States.

BACKGROUND: The number of cumulative confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States has risen sharply since March 2020. A county health ranking and roadmaps program has been established to identify factors associated with disparity in mobility and mortality of COVID-19 in all counties in the United States. The risk factors associated with county-level mortality of COVID-19 with various levels of prevalence are not well understood. METHODS: Using the data obtained from the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps program, this study applied a negative binomial design to the county-level mortality counts of COVID-19 as of August 27, 2020 in the United States. In this design, the infected counties were categorized into three levels of infections using clustering analysis based on time-varying cumulative confirmed cases from March 1 to August 27, 2020. COVID-19 patients were not analyzed individually but were aggregated at the county-level, where the county-level deaths of COVID-19 confirmed by the local health agencies. Clustering analysis and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used in our statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 3125 infected counties were assigned into three classes corresponding to low, median, and high prevalence levels of infection. Several risk factors were significantly associated with the mortality counts of COVID-19, where higher level of air pollution (0.153, P < 0.001) increased the mortality in the low prevalence counties and elder individuals were more vulnerable in both the median (0.049, P < 0.001) and high (0.114, P < 0.001) prevalence counties. The segregation between non-Whites and Whites (low: 0.015, P < 0.001; median:0.025, P < 0.001; high: 0.019, P = 0.005) and higher Hispanic population (low and median: 0.020, P < 0.001; high: 0.014, P = 0.009) had higher likelihood of risk of the deaths in all infected counties. CONCLUSIONS: The mortality of COVID-19 depended on sex, race/ethnicity, and outdoor environment. The increasing awareness of the impact of these significant factors may help decision makers, the public health officials, and the general public better control the risk of pandemic, particularly in the reduction in the mortality of COVID-19.

Identification of county-level health factors associated with COVID-19 mortality in the United States.

Many studies have investigated causes of COVID-19 and explored safety measures for preventing COVID-19 infections. Unfortunately, these studies fell short to address disparities in health status and resources among decentralized communities in the United States. In this study, we utilized an advanced modeling technique to examine complex associations of county-level health factors with COVID-19 mortality for all 3141 counties in the United States. Our results indicated that counties with more uninsured people, more housing problems, more urbanized areas, and longer commute are more likely to have higher COVID-19 mortality. Based on the nationwide population-based data, this study also echoed prior research that used local data, and confirmed that county-level sociodemographic factors, such as more Black, Hispanic, and older subpopulations, are attributed to high risk of COVID-19 mortality. We hope that these findings will help set up priorities on high risk communities and subpopulations in future for fighting the novel virus.