Assessment of low-income adults' access to technology: implications for nutrition education

ObjectiveThe main objective of this study was to investigate access and use of technologies such as the Internet among Indiana's low-income population. The secondary objective was to determine whether access and use of computers significantly differed by age, race, and/or education level.MethodsData were collected from low-income adult Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education participants for a 2-year period using a cross-sectional questionnaire about access and use of technology.ResultsApproximately 50% of the total respondents (n = 1,620) indicated that they had a working computer in their home, and of those, the majority (78%) had a high-speed Internet connection. Chi-square analysis revealed that younger adults who were white and had more education were more likely to have a computer (P < .001) and Internet.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe results of this study provide evidence that using Internet-based nutrition education in a low-income population is a viable and possibly cost-effective option.     

Internet addiction among Chinese adolescents: prevalence and psychological features

BACKGROUND: To investigate the prevalence of Internet addiction among Chinese adolescents and to explore the psychological features associated with Internet addiction. METHODS: A total of 2620 high school students from four high schools in Changsha City were surveyed using Diagnostic Questionnaire for Internet Addiction (YDQ), Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (the edition for children, EPQ), Time Management Disposition Scale (TMDS) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The mean age of whole sample was 15.19 years (ranging from 12 years to 18 years). According to the modified YDQ criteria by Beard, 64 students who were diagnosed as Internet addiction (the mean age: 14.59 years) and 64 who were diagnosed as being normal in Internet usage (the mean age: 14.81 years) were included in a case-control study. RESULTS: The rate of Internet use among the surveyed adolescents was 88%, among which the incidence rate of Internet addiction was 2.4%. The Internet addiction group had significantly higher scores on the EPQ subscales of neuroticism, psychoticism, and lie than the control group (P < 0.05). The Internet addiction group scored lower than the control group on the TMDS subscales of sense of control over time, sense of value of time, and sense of time efficacy (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the Internet addiction group had also significantly higher scores on the SDQ subscales of emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity, total difficulties and lower scores on the subscale of prosocial behaviours (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that Internet addiction is not rare among Chinese adolescents. In addition, adolescents with Internet addiction possess different psychological features when compared with those who use the Internet less frequently.     

儿童青少年静态行为与主观幸福感的相关性

了解儿童青少年静态行为和主观幸福感现状及其关系,为促进儿童青少年身心健康提供参考.方法 采用方便抽样方法,选取上海市城区1 所公办小学和1 所公办初中628 名四至八年级学生,进行长时间看电视、互联网过度使用、游戏过度使用等静态行为、生活满意度量表、个人幸福指数—中小学生版、正负性情感量表儿童版等的测评.结果 学生长时间看电视、课外做作业、上网、电子游戏的比例依次为2.7%,6.0%,3.6%,5.1%.互联网过度使用率为14.3%,游戏过度使用率为8.2%.长时间上网、长时间电子游戏、互联网过度使用、游戏过度使用均与生活满意度、个人幸福指数、正性情感呈负相关,与负性情感呈正相关(P 值均<0.05).线性回归分析结果显示,网络游戏频度对主观幸福感大多指标有显著的预测效应.结论 需重视静态行为,加强网络游戏过度使用的干预,促进儿童青少年的健康.     

Exploring Communication Strategies for Promoting Hepatitis B Prevention among Young Asian American Adults

In the United States, Asian Americans account for 50–60% of hepatitis B virus infections, leading to higher rates of liver cancer in this population. While some city-wide data have reported hepatitis B infection rates among young adults as high as 10–20%, little research has examined factors that impact hepatitis B beliefs, or the most effective strategies for reaching this particular population to promote hepatitis B awareness. An online survey was conducted with young Asian American adults (n = 418), aged 18–29 years old, to better understand their health information seeking, social media usage, and hepatitis B-related behaviors and beliefs. Results indicated that doctors and health organizations were the most trusted sources of health information, while the Internet was the most common source of health information. The majority of participants (99.8%) reported using social media and indicated they engaged in health-related behaviors on social media. Several factors, including non-receipt of hepatitis B vaccine, engaging in more health-related social media activities, and a higher mean score for difficulty with health information seeking, were significantly related to higher perceived susceptibility to hepatitis B. Future research should explore the effectiveness of using social media to reach young Asian American adults to promote hepatitis B awareness.     

The effect of kin, social network and neighbourhood support on individual well-being

This paper explores the effects of kin, social network and the neighbourhood on an individual's well-being. The material is drawn from a community-based qualitative study that explored the attitudes and experiences of African-Caribbean adolescents and their families in the north of England towards healthy lifestyles. A convenience sample of 10 African-Caribbean households units comprising 24 adolescents (12-18 years of age) and 18 adults (22-60 years of age) participated in the study with interviews conducted in their homes. The paper focuses on the adult participants' perception of the role of social support networks and neighbourhood effects on well-being. An in-depth interview schedule was used to explore participants' perceptions on barriers to health and healthy lifestyles; and factors facilitating and inhibiting good health and healthy lifestyles. Data were subjected to thematic analysis with the aid of a Qualitative Data Analysis software package. Emerging categories were discussed with participants by conducting post interview visits and at community events. Findings indicated that participants believed that being a member of a kin network enhanced one's well-being, with such networks described as capable of providing protective support for one's health and well-being. In addition, they preferred to live in neighbourhoods with a high concentration of people of the same ethnicity, despite the effects of neighbourhood deprivation such as poor housing and lack of services. However, participants believed that ethnic segregation leads to marginalisation and further deprivation. These findings suggest that there is a need to explore further the influence of social networks and neighbourhoods on the full spectrum of an individual's well-being. The study concludes by suggesting that in considering new paradigms for the promotion of well-being, health and social care practitioners need to incorporate ways to promote social support and consider relevant psychosocial and neighbourhood factors in designing models of community well-being.     

A Prescription for Internet Access: Appealing to Middle-Aged and Older Racial and Ethnic Minorities Through Social Network Sites to Combat Colorectal Cancer

The popularity and usage of social media networks or SNS (social networking sites) among American Internet users age 50 and over doubled between 2009 and 2010 and has steadily climbed. Part of this increased access may be the result of older adults who are living with a chronic disease and are reaching out for online support. Colorectal cancer (CRC) risk is among those concerns, particularly among middle-age and older minority populations where disparities exist. This exploratory study investigates information seeking behavior related to cancer factors (e.g. testing for colon cancer, cancer fatalism) and current social media usage among racial and ethnic minority groups (African American and Latinos) and Whites age 50 and older. The secondary data from the 2012 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) was analyzed to compare these populations. Results show that African Americans and Latinos were only slightly more likely to use social network sites to seek out cancer information compared to Whites. However, Whites were more likely to use the Internet to seek health information compared to African Americans and Latinos. In this sample, Whites were also more likely to be informed by a physician about CRC testing (p <.01). Whites were also more fatalistic about CRC (p<.001) and more likely to have self-reported receiving a positive diagnosis (p <.001). Implications of this study suggest that use of both traditional health information sources (physician) and the Internet (social media networks, Internet sites) have increased among older Americans and can serve as critical channels for cancer information and education.     

Internet use among mothers of young children in Norway—a survey of Internet habits and perceived parental competence when caring for a sick child

Aim

The Internet has become the leading source of child health information for parents. Perceived parental competence, self-efficacy, education and satisfaction with traditional health services may influence Internet use. The aim of study was to investigate the interplay between these factors.

Subject and methods

A survey that included 99 Norwegian mothers to young children was conducted to assess the relationship between Internet use concerning child health, perceived parental competence, self-efficacy and demographic factors in the context of having a sick child.

Results

Nearly all Norwegian parents have Internet access at home and use the net regularly, including when their child is sick. The Internet was the main source of information about child health in general, while most parents used the traditional health services when their child became sick. Internet usage was negatively correlated to mother’s education, but not to mother’s age, number of children or degree of satisfaction with traditional health services. A third of mothers reported that they became very anxious and nearly half reported lack of knowledge when their child was sick. Parental perceived competence and self-efficacy were not correlated with maternal age, education or number of children, and it did not influence the extent of Internet searching for child health information.

Conclusion

The Internet is the main source of child health information for Norwegian mothers of young children, and usage seems mainly independent of maternal age, education, perceived competence and self-efficacy, and the degree of satisfaction with traditional health services.     

Computer usage and its relationship with adolescent lifestyle in Hong Kong.

PURPOSE: To determine the patterns of computer usage among adolescents in Hong Kong and to examine whether computer usage is associated with less physical activity and social support among adolescents. METHODS: A total of 2110 secondary school students (52% boys and 48% girls) in Hong Kong completed a set of questionnaires to measure their computer usage and lifestyle. Mean age of the respondents was 14.16 years (SD = 1.81 years). Computer usage was taped by asking the students to indicate how much time (in minutes) they spent on the computer each day for doing homework assignments; playing computer games; "surfing" the Internet; and communicating with others. The students also provided information on their social-physical lifestyle. Student's t-tests and analysis of variance were used to examine group differences. Pearson product moment correlations were used to explore relationships between computer usage and lifestyle. RESULTS: Boys who use computers for doing homework, "surfing" the Internet, and communicating with others engage in more social-physical activities than others. Boys who use computers to play games tend to be more social-behaviorally inactive. For girls, patterns of computer usage are not related to lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS: Computer users tended to engage in social-physical activities more frequently and had higher social support than nonusers. But among computer users, the amount of time spent daily on the computer was not associated with lifestyle. Instead, patterns of computer usage are more related to lifestyle and the relationship is moderated by gender.     

Willingness of Brazilian caregivers in having their children and adolescents vaccinated against Covid-19

BackgroundThe vaccination of children and adolescents for the prevention of Covid-19 is important to:decrease in deaths and hospitalizations, prevent multisystem inflammatory syndrome, avoid long-term complications and decrease the suspension of on-site classes. Despite of these benefits, some studies have shown that some caregivers are still hesitancy.MethodsThis is a voluntary and anonymous online survey conducted from November 17 to December 14, 2021, in Brazil, through a free-of-charge platform with a link provided on social networks. A bivariate analysis was conducted with the independent variables, with vaccine hesitancy as the outcome variable, and a multivariate logistic model was used to calculated adjusted odds ratios.ResultsThe sample included 15,297 respondents. Approximately 13.3 % (2,028) of the caregivers were hesitant to vaccinate their children and adolescents against Covid-19 in at least one age group. The vaccination hesitanty rate of caregivers of children aged 0–4 years, 5–11 years and adolescents were 16 %, 13 %, 15 %, respectively. The principal factors associated with vaccine hesitancy were the following: belief that they need to wait longer, belief that children that had natural infection doesn’t need to vaccinate and belief that vaccine has long term adverse effects.Interpretation.The present study showed that the willingness of caregivers to have their children and adolescents vaccinated in Brazil is high compared to data from adult and pediatric international studies. This study provides a profile of the hesitant caregivers considering their perspectives and beliefs regarding vaccines that can help the elaboration of strategies to increase vaccine adherence.     

Childhood,families and the Internet: a qualitative approach on health assets

ObjectiveTo explore the views of the Internet in childhood, identifying both health assets and risks.MethodA qualitative study was performed using 14 focus groups, eight of which comprised boys and girls, four of which comprised parents and two of which were mixed (children and parents) in primary schools in urban and rural settings in Andalusia (Spain). Teachers in these schools were also asked to complete an online questionnaire using LimeSurvey. This study involved 114 individuals: 64 pupils (33 girls and 31 boys), 28 parents (18 mothers and 10 fathers), and 22 teachers (14 women and 8 men). Analysis of manifest content and underlying meanings was carried out. QSR NVivo 9 software was used to facilitate analysis and make it systematic.ResultsOur findings show how the differences in the way parents and children understand health and wellbeing affect the way they discuss the Internet and health. The discussion of results looks at the implications of computer literacy for public health and wellbeing, particularly with regard to health assets.ConclusionsParents and children understand the contribution of the Internet to health and wellbeing differently. Whilst parents emphasize the risks (unsafe environment, relationships and quality of information, social networks, physical problems and addiction), the children emphasize the assets offered by the Internet.     

Uso de Internet por parte de los adolescentes de Gijón (Asturias) como fuente de información sobre salud

ObjectivesTo evaluate the use of Internet as a source of health information by adolescents, its reliability and the acceptability of an email service for their questions.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingSecondary schools. Gijón (Asturias).Participants475 students (1st and 4th Secondary, and 1st High School) selected by two-stage cluster sampling.Main outcome measuresSelf-administered questionnaire of ten items.VariablesAge, sex, availability of Internet at home, daily time use, subjects consulted, source health consultation, information obtained reliability, willingness to use e-mail health consultations.ResultsA total of 468 valid questionnaires, of which 88.5% had Internet at home, 42.5% use more than one hour daily on weekdays and 74% during the weekend. The most accessed topics were physical exercise (29.5%), self-image (23.3%) and piercing, and tattoos (18.4%). Internet is the fourth resource used for health concerns (13.9%), behind family, doctor and friends. The majority, 56%, gave a very low reliability to health information obtained on Internet. A total of 70.5% would use an email address that provided answers to health questions.ConclusionsAvailability of Internet at home is above the national average. High usage but low for health information, which gives low credibility. It would be advisable to start a mail service for adolescents treated by a multidisciplinary team from Primary Care.     

Adolescents and the internet

The interactive, multimedia nature of the Internet makes it a potentially invaluable resource for adolescents. These same characteristics also mean that the Internet could be a potentially hazardous medium for certain members of this age group. Although the Internet allows adolescents access to an unprecedented amount of content in an endless number of areas, it also allows them access to content that many parents and caregivers find particularly objectionable. This article addresses several primary benefits and potential hazards associated with adolescent Internet use. It describes general trends in adolescent Internet use and considers how the medium allows individuals to extend their social networks and create new ones. Several ideas for maximizing the potential benefits and minimizing any potential harms are presented.     

Adolescent Perspectives on Social Support Received in the Aftermath of Sexual Abuse: A Qualitative Study

The extent and quality of social support provided to young survivors of sexual abuse (SA) have only rarely been examined. This qualitative study aimed to investigate adolescent perspectives on social support received in the aftermath of SA. A total of 26 sexually victimized adolescents (15–18 years old) participated in a qualitative face-to-face, in-depth interview that focused on perceived social support. Qualitative content analysis was conducted as per Mayring (2008) using the qualitative data analysis program ATLAS.ti. In addition, quantitative correlational analyses were conducted to identify characteristics of SA and their associations with perceived social support. Although participants perceived parental support as the most necessary type of support, they were much more satisfied with support from peers. In particular, adolescents stated that they wished they had received more emotional support from their parents in order to better cope with the abuse. About half of participants reported having received counseling, and counseling was seen as very helpful in dealing with the consequences of SA. Only a few adolescents mentioned their school as a source of support. Intra-familial abuse, younger victim age at the time of abuse, an adult perpetrator, and severe abuse were all negatively associated with satisfaction with perceived support. Our results suggest that support for young survivors of SA needs to be improved. Prevention of SA needs particular focus on improving parental reactions to SA, facilitating access to professional support, and raising teacher awareness of the importance of their role in the provision of support for sexually victimized children.     

Perceptions of condom use among African American men who have sex with men

The objectives of this study were to describe what African American men perceive as the risks of different sexual acts when not using condoms, the social and situational barriers to using condoms, the attitudes towards condom use of other men they know, and the strategies needed to promote condom use. In semi‐structured interviews, participants were asked questions regarding their perceptions of the risks of HIV infection from various sexual activities, barriers to condom use, condom attitudes of people in their social and sexual networks, and strategies necessary to promote condom use. Analyses indicated that African American men who sex with men (MSM) most often mentioned sex without a condom as risky sexual behaviour, specifically anal sex. The most frequently perceived barrier to safer sex practice was ‘sex on the spur of the moment’. Respondents also perceived several salient attitudes towards condom use held by the African American MSM they knew. In particular, respondents were divided in their perception of social support for condom use among their friends and acquaintances. Also, they perceived that men in their social and sexual networks held less favourable attitudes towards condom use in committed relationships. Findings are discussed in relation to various interpersonal (e.g., relationship issues) and contextual (e.g., social support and social networks) factors that may influence HIV sexual risk behaviours among African American MSM.     

Momentary Assessment of Social Context and Glucose Monitoring Adherence in Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes

PurposeTo investigate the associations between momentary social context and glucose monitoring adherence in adolescents with type 1diabetes (T1D).MethodsFor 14 days, patients (14–18 years old, T1D duration >1 year) of a pediatric diabetes clinic carried handheld computers that prompted them to report their location, companionship, and attitudes toward companions at the times they usually checked their glucose, and again 30 minutes later to report whether they checked their glucose and, if not, why. Associations between social context factors and checking glucose (adherence) were analyzed using logistic generalized estimating equations and adjusted for age, sex, duration of T1D, and pump use.ResultsThirty-six participants (mean age 16.6 ± 1.5 years, mean duration of T1D 8.7 ± 4.4 years) completed 971 context and 1,210 adherence reports, resulting in 805 paired reports. Median signal response rate was 63%. The odds of checking glucose was higher when participants expressed very strong desire to blend in (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.30, 95% confidence interval 1.07–4.94, p = .03). Strong desire to impress others was associated with decreased likelihood of checking glucose (AOR = .52, 95% confidence interval .28–.97, p = .04.) Location, solitude, type of companion, and attitudes toward companions were not significantly associated with checking glucose.ConclusionsDesire to blend in may support glucose monitoring adherence and desire to impress others may impede this behavior in adolescents with T1D. Other dimensions of social context were not linked to checking glucose in this study.     

Gender-based differences in fertility beliefs and knowledge among adolescents from high sexually transmitted disease–prevalence communities

PurposeLimited information is available about adolescents’ beliefs about fertility in women and its link to sexually transmitted disease (STD) and whether men and women differ in their beliefs. This information may be useful for developing messages intended to motivate youth to seek STD screening while they are asymptomatic. The purpose of this study was to examine gender-based differences in fertility beliefs and knowledge.MethodsData were derived from the Adolescent Health Study, a population-based telephone survey study in which urban household adolescents from a high STD-prevalence community were queried about their sexual experience, fertility-related knowledge, beliefs related to timing of childbearing, and risk assessment of future fertility problems. χ² and regression analyses were used to evaluate group differences.ResultsThe majority of adolescents reported that having children was somewhat or very important, but that the 15- to 19-year-old age group was not the optimal time for a woman to have a child. Regression analyses indicated that female adolescents were more likely than male adolescents to identify chlamydia and pelvic inflammatory disease as causes of fertility problems. Seventy-two percent of adolescent girls thought there was some chance they would have future fertility problems and 58% thought they had little or no control over developing fertility problems in the future.ConclusionAdditional health education is needed if we are to motivate adolescents to participate in asymptomatic STD screening programs. Involving male adolescents may be a more significant challenge given that fewer male adolescents understand the link between female fertility and common STD-related conditions. Given our findings, fertility preservation may be a valuable teaching tool and social marketing agent for STD prevention in adolescents.     

Examining Internet Access and Social Media Application Use for Online Nutrition Education in SNAP-Ed Participants in Rural Illinois

Objective

To examine Internet access and interest in receiving nutrition education via social media applications among low-income adults participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed).

Social support influences on eating awareness in children and adolescents: the mediating effect of self-regulatory strategies

The impact of the social environment on healthy eating awareness results from complex interactions among physical, economic, cultural, interpersonal and individual characteristics. This study investigated the impact of social support and social influence on healthy eating awareness, controlling for socio-economic status, gender and age. Additionally, the mediating effect of self-regulation strategies was examined. A total of 2764 children and adolescents aged 10–17 from four European countries completed self-report measures on healthy eating awareness, social influence and the use of self-regulation strategies. Healthy eating awareness and the use of self-regulation strategies were more likely to occur among younger participants. An interaction between gender and age was related to the use of some self-regulation strategies; compared to girls, boys decreased the use of self-regulation strategies more from pre-adolescence to adolescence. Peer social influence was associated with more unhealthy eating in older participants. Results suggest a need to promote self-regulatory competences among young people in order to assist them with regulating their eating behaviours, especially in the presence of peers. Both school-based interventions and family-based interventions, focusing on self-regulation cognitions and social (peer) influence, could help children and adolescents to use self-regulatory strategies which are essential to eat healthier.     

Clustering of Internet Risk Behaviors in a Middle School Student Population

BACKGROUND: Internet safety is a growing public concern especially among adults and youth who live in an "instant messaging" world of technological communication. To better understand how early adolescents are using the Internet, a study was undertaken to more clearly identify the online general use, safety knowledge, and risk behaviors of middle school students.
METHODS: This exploratory study adapted from Finkelhor et al's (2000) Youth Internet Safety Survey to identify the usage and characteristics of online youth, solicitation of youth, and searching for pornography or delinquent behaviors. The 404 students who were recruited from public and parochial schools consisted of both boys and girls with a mean age 12 years.
RESULTS: These students reported the beginnings of high-risk Internet behavior, specifically, giving out personal information, using the Internet to harass or embarrass another person, and for a small number of students, chatting with strangers and starting relationships. The students who posted their picture online were more likely to have sent their picture to someone, made rude comments to others, played online jokes, harassed or embarrassed someone, and sought out pornographic sites.
CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that middle school students who are early adolescents are beginning risky behaviors on the Internet. Risk-taking behavior is not unique to adolescents, but the consequences can be detrimental to their development. Educators, clinicians, health care providers, and other professionals need to be informed of Internet behaviors in order to assess for children at risk, to make referrals, intervene, and to educate parents.     

Children’s Eating Habits,Physical Activity,Sleep, and Media Usage before and during COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused huge changes in people’s lifestyle, health, and social relationships. This situation has had an impact on children and adolescents, affecting their health, intellectual, physical, and emotional development. The survey aimed to compare eating behaviors, level of physical activity (PA), hours of sleep, and screen time among Polish children and adolescents aged 6–15 years before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We obtained self-reported data from 1016 participants at two measurement points before and during the COVID-19 lockdown in Poland to examine the influence of the lockdown and the distance learning on PA, dietary habits, sleep, and media usage of children and adolescents aged 6–15 years. The study identified dietary differences and changes in daily activity patterns (reduced sleep duration with higher sleep quality and reduced physical activity). Additionally, the increase in general media usage was observed during the pandemic alongside a reduction in smartphone usage. Together, the findings indicate increased sleep, physical activity, and reduced media usage and screen time among Polish children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic.