Investigating usability of mobile health applications in Bangladesh

Background Lack of usability can be a major barrier for the rapid adoption of mobile services. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the usability of Mobile Health applications in Bangladesh. Method We followed a 3-stage approach in our research. First, we conducted a keyword-based application search in the popular app stores. We followed the affinity diagram approach and clustered the found applications into nine groups. Second, we randomly selected four apps from each group (36 apps in total) and conducted a heuristic evaluation. Finally, we selected the highest downloaded app from each group and conducted user studies with 30 participants. Results We found 61% usability problems are catastrophe or major in nature from heuristic inspection. The most (21%) violated heuristic is aesthetic and minimalist design. The user studies revealed low System Usability Scale (SUS) scores for those apps that had a high number of usability problems based on the heuristic evaluation. Thus, the results of heuristic evaluation and user studies complement each other. Conclusion Overall, the findings suggest that the usability of the mobile health apps in Bangladesh is not satisfactory in general and could be a potential barrier for wider adoption of mobile health services

KAJIAN FAKTOR UTAMA USER EXPERIENCE DAN USABILITY MAHASISWA DALAM MENGGUNAKAN SISTEM DESAIN FORMULIR ELEKTRONIK

Rekam medis elektronik wajib diterapkan di seluruh fasilitas pelayanan kesehatan di Indonesia sesuai dengan Permenkes no 24 tahun 2022. Dalam prosesnya, institusi pendidikan turut mengembangan sistem rekam medis elektronik dalam membekali mahasiswa sebelum terjun ke duia kerja. Sistem desain formulir elektronik dirancang untuk implementasi pembelajaran matakuliah manajemen dan desain formulir di era digital. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji faktor utama yang mempengaruhi usability dan user experience mahasiswa dalam menggunakan sistem desain formular elektronik. Data diperoleh melalui kuesioner dengan skala linkert yang diisi oleh mahasiswa D3 rekam medis dan informasi kesehatan sebagai pemakai sistem sebanyak 104 mahasiswa. Teknik analisa data dengan menggunakan analisis faktor untuk mengetahui faktor utama yang mempengaruhi usability dan user experience mahasiswa. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa dalam hal usability faktor mudah diingat merupakan faktor utama yang mempengaruhi mahasiswa dalam menggunakan sistem, sedangkan faktor kepuasan kurang berpengaruh pada usability penggunaan sistem. Dalam hal user experience faktor daya tarik merupakan faktor utama mahasiswa dalam menggunakan sistem, sedangkan faktor kebaruan kurang berpengaruh pada user experience dalam penggunaan sistem. Untuk meningkatkan usability dan user experience mahasiswa maka sistem perlu ditingkatkan dalam hal kebaruan dan kepuasan dengan melakukan perbaikan agar sistem terlihat lebih menarik dan sesuai kebutuhan pengguna

Application of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science in Detecting the Impact of Usability from Evaluation of Mobile Health Applications

Mobile health (mHealth) applications have demonstrated immense potential for facilitating preventative care and disease management through intuitive platforms. However, realizing transformational health objectives relies on creating accessible tools optimized for different users. This research analyses mHealth app usability data sourced from online repositories to reveal the impact of usability (ease of use) from evaluating mobile health applications. Thoroughly examining interfaces with a utilization of statistical tests of significance, platform, integra-tions, and various application features shows complex relationships between usability and users experience. This work shows that applying random forest models can accurately classify the ease-of-use of mHealth applications. This work sheds light on the connections between design choices and their effects, guiding intentional improvements to expand the reach of mHealth. It does so by providing insights into the subtle ways that people interact with mHealth applications. The methodologies and findings provide actionable insights for developers and practitioners passionate about advancing digital healthcare

A review on the mobile applications developed for COVID-19: An exploratory analysis

The objective of this research is to explore the existing mobile applications developed for the COVID-19 pandemic. To obtain this research objective, firstly the related applications were selected through the systematic search technique in the popular application stores. Secondly, data related to the app objectives, functionalities provided by the app, user ratings, and user reviews were extracted. Thirdly, the extracted data were analyzed through the affinity diagram, noticing-collecting-thinking, and descriptive analysis. As outcomes, the review provides a state-of-the-art view of mobile apps developed for COVID-19 by revealing nine functionalities or features. It revealed ten factors related to information systems design characteristics that can guide future app design. The review outcome highlights the need for new development and further refinement of the existing applications considering not only the revealed objectives and their associated functionalities, but also revealed design characteristics such as reliability, performance, usefulness, supportive, security, privacy, flexibility, responsiveness, ease of use, and cultural sensitivity.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures, 4 table

A Review of Human-Computer Interaction Design Approaches towards Information Systems Development

Nowadays modern information systems (emerging technologies) are increasingly becoming an integral part of our daily lives and has begun to pose a serious challenge for human-computer interaction (HCI) professionals, as emerging technologies in the area of mobile and cloud computing, and internet of things (IoT), are calling for more devotion from HCI experts in terms of systems interface design. As the number of mobile platforms users, nowadays comprises of children’s, elderly people, and people with disabilities or disorders, all demanding for an effective user interface that can meet their diverse needs, even on the move, at anytime and anywhere. This paper, review current articles (43) related to HCI interface design approaches to modern information systems design with the aim of identifying and determining the effectiveness of these methods. The study found that the current HCI design approaches were based on desktop paradigm which falls short of providing location-based services to mobile platforms users. The study also discovered that almost all the current interface design standard used by HCI experts for the design of user’s interface were not effective &amp; supportive of emerging technologies due to the flexibility nature of these technologies. Based on the review findings, the study suggested the combination of Human-centred design with agile methodologies for interface design, and call on future works to use qualitative or quantitative approach to further investigate HCI methods of interface design with much emphasis on cloud-based technologies and other organizational information systems.</em

Understanding the determinants of mHealth apps adoption in Bangladesh: A SEM-Neural network approach

Due to the low adoption rate of mHealth apps, the apps designers need to understand the factors behind adoption. But understanding the determinants of mHealth apps adoption remains unclear. Comparatively less attention has been given to the factors affecting the adoption of mHealth apps among the young generation. This study aims to examine the factors influencing behavioral intention and actual usage behavior of mHealth apps among technology prone young generation. The research model has extracted variables from the widely accepted Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) alongside privacy, lifestyles, self-efficacy and trust. Required data were collected from mHealth apps users in Bangladesh. Firstly, this study confirmed that performance expectancy, social influence, hedonic motivation and privacy exerted a positive influence on behavioral intention whereas facilitating conditions, self-efficacy, trust and lifestyle had an influence on both behavioral intention and actual usage behavior. Secondly, the Neural Network Model was employed to rank relatively significant predictors obtained from structural equation modeling (SEM). This study contributes to the growing literature on the use of mHealth apps in trying to elevate the quality of patients' lives. The new methodology and findings from this study will significantly contribute to the extant literature of technology adoption and mHealth apps adoption intention especially. Therefore, for practitioners concerned with fostering mHealth apps adoption, the findings stress the importance of adopting an integrated approach centered on key findings of this study

Development and feasibility trial of a text messaging mHealth intervention to improve blood pressure control among patients with hypertension in Nepal

The burden of hypertension is increasing worldwide, with higher rates in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), like Nepal. Despite the availability of effective interventions, uncontrolled blood pressure remains a major challenge contributing to significant morbidity and mortality. Nonadherence to treatment and improper understanding of reasons for poor adherence are attributed to this phenomenon. It is widely understood that LMICs are impacted by financial pressures and a health workforce shortage to tackle these problems. Mobile phone uptake is high in LMICs and provides an opportunity to deliver tailored messages to improve medication adherence and contribute to blood pressure control. We aimed to develop and evaluate the feasibility of a text messaging mHealth intervention to improve blood pressure control among patients with hypertension in Nepal. We performed our research in two phases. In Phase I, a formative qualitative study (using a theoretical approach) was conducted to understand the barriers and facilitators for blood pressure control among patients with hypertension This study provided detailed insight into individual barriers to blood pressure control, such as low literacy of hypertension, non-adherence to treatment, and system-level barriers such as poor communication between providers and patients. In addition, we explored stigma and non-disclosure issues and social-cultural barriers attached to behaviour modification in this setting. The second part of this formative study reported the high potential of mHealth intervention in the study setting. Informed by the qualitative study, we co-designed a text messaging intervention (TEXT4BP) as part of Phase II. The feasibility of the TEXT4BP intervention was tested using a pilot randomised control trial study design. The TEXT4BP intervention was effective (p<0.001) in reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure, improving blood pressure control and medication adherence among the intervention group when compared to the control group receiving usual care. In addition, the TEXT4BP intervention was found to be feasible and acceptable in the study setting. Our research has generated novel evidence on the co-design process of a mHealth intervention and demonstrated the effectiveness and acceptability of the intervention for hypertension management. The findings will inform further large-scale mHealth research and contribute to clinical practice with evidence-based adherence guidelines in Nepal

MENTAL HEALTH IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN BANGLADESH: AN EXAMINATION OF CURRENT PRACTICES, SERVICE USE, AND AN EXPLORATION OF THE ACCEPTABILITY OF MHEALTH FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND MINDFULNESS

The prevalence of mental health problems, such as depression and suicide, is high in Bangladesh. The incidence of mental health problems in Bangladesh is highest in young adulthood and often occurs in university students. Mobile health apps are effective in Bangladesh for chronic health problems, though there is no current literature on the use of mHealth for mental health promotion in Bangladesh, nor in the university student population in Bangladesh. The study utilizes a multi-method design informed by Self-Determination Theory and the Technology Acceptance Model to explore motivational factors for mental health practices, such as coping techniques, and use of professional services, such as therapy. The quantitative component includes regression analysis of an online survey delivered to students currently enrolled in universities in Bangladesh to determine current attitudes and practices of mental health services (n=350) and the possibility of using mHealth for mental health (n=311). The qualitative component involves thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with randomly selected students (n=12) who complete the quantitative portion of the study, regarding their opinion of mHealth for mental health app content. Results show that subjective perception of needing mental health support was the strongest predictor of clinical service utilization. Additionally, the perception of viewing mental health positively was associated with actual use of clinical services, but the association became insignificant after adjusting for the perceived need. One's social influences predicted perceived need for mental health support; and knowledge about mental health predicted positive views of clinical mental health care. Intent to use general mHealth is driven by social influence, ease of use, and perceived utility. According to this study, mobile health services are acceptable to this population and can be helpful for students with barriers to accessing traditional mental health services. The qualitative interviews revealed that students felt that guided mindfulness exercises relieved stress, and the potential of having easy access to such exercises on an app on their phone overcame barriers they had previously encountered. These findings suggest that an app with mindfulness exercises may be worth developing and testing in Bangladesh in order to promote student mental health