Health systems need to reduce their environmental impact and adapt to changing circumstances, such as increasing health problems caused by the ecological crisis. Research into relationships between climate, environment, health and health care has delivered valuable insights and greatly contributed to increased awareness, knowledge and action. However, one major and serious gap exists when it comes to social justice: issues related to gender and diversity are rarely included in research questions, methodologies and analyses. This long-standing bias amplifies and reproduces unjust policies, prejudiced practices and health disparities. To deliver future-proof solutions in health care it is imperative to consider climate justice in health research. Integrating intersectionality-based research methodologies—including their correspondence with Planetary Health—generates meaningful, applicable knowledge that would otherwise remain neglected. In this paper, we present a preview of “Coloring Connections,” a coloring book that seeks to provide researchers with tools, playful concepts, creative assignments and narratives to integrate gender and intersectionality amidst the climate crisis in their health research.
Background: This study seeks to provide insights into the factors that influence hospital performance during health crises to propose strategies for improving operational efficiency in future public health emergencies. It measures efficiency in national hospitals in Japan using a stochastic distance function approach on data from before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: We collected data for financial years 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2021 (before and after the COVID-19 pandemic) related to the National Hospital Organization. The number of physicians, nurses, and others (including co-medical staff); the sum of costs; and the number of beds were used as input variables. The total numbers of inpatients and outpatients per year were used as output variables. The dataset comprised 140 national hospitals and spanned four years, resulting in 280 hospital observations pre- and post-COVID-19.Results: The average number of inpatients at each hospital during the observation period was 109,141.5 (standard deviation [SD] = 37077.7), and the average number of outpatients was 84,324.5 (SD = 75050.4). The average numbers of physicians, nurses, others, beds, and costs were 46.9 (SD = 41.5), 62.6 (SD = 38.1), 278.7 (SD = 143.9), 363.5 (SD = 124.2), and 249,409,614.3 (SD = 2366015803.0), respectively. In the pre- and post-pandemic periods, the outpatient/inpatient coefficients were significant and positive, suggesting that the progression of COVID-19 led to a decrease in hospital efficiency.Conclusions: While this study cannot definitively explain the efficiency decline, it provides important evidence indicating that the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected hospital operations and revenue in Japan.
Objective: To assess whether automated AI-based virtual triage and care referral (VTCR) improves appropriate acuity-based care by aligning patient healthcare seeking intent and potential care seeking behavior with triage output in a leading multinational healthcare plan based in the Middle East.Methods: Data were derived from an AI-based symptom checker application and analyzed the pre- and post-VTCR care intentions of eligible health plan patients (N = 4,985) to examine how VTCR influenced potential care seeking behavior across five levels of care acuity. Pre- and post-triage care intentions were compared, and changes as a result of triage, including acuity level escalation and de-escalation, were assessed for statistical significance using Z-tests.Results: Overall alignment with VTCR clinical guidance was 37.6% following virtual triage, improved from a 22.2% level of acuity alignment prior to VTCR. VTCR significantly decreased the number of patients with uncertain healthcare intention (62.9% or - 22.1 PP; p = .05), the largest group of whom decided to engage self-care after VTCR (13.9% of all patients). The largest changes in care intent occurred where patients altered their care plan to engage self-care (an increase of 128.2% or +18.8 PP; p = .05), reducing avoidable use of higher acuity services. Post-triage intent to access emergency care increased 138.8% (+ 1.9 PP; p = .05). The largest de-escalation of care acuity was observed among patients who before VTCR intended to engage a non-urgent outpatient consultation, but instead chose self-care after VTCR (9.3% of patients; p = .05).Conclusions: Virtual triage reduced potential clinically inappropriate utilization of both higher and lower acuity care services by patients, and post-VTCR care seeking was better aligned with patients’ actual clinical needs. VTCR improved early detection of and care referral for emergent conditions, and simultaneously reduced inappropriate ED and outpatient care utilization for symptoms that could be managed by patients through self-care. VTCR was able to reduce care acuity-level misalignment and potentially unnecessary and avoidable healthcare utilization.
Background: It is anticipated that closing the quality gap through provision of effective antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care for mothers and newborns in facilities will reduce morbidity and mortality. Mothers’ and health care providers’ experiences play a vital role in achieving quality care during the perinatal periods.Purpose: To assess the health care providers’ (HCPs) and clients’ experiences on quality of perinatal care at three district hospitals in Bunyoro region, Western Uganda.Methods: A convergent parallel mixed methods study design was utilized to explore experiences of 1) mothers as they sought antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care; and 2) care providers. Consecutive sampling was used to select 872 postnatal women at discharge, while purposive sampling was employed to select 54 care providers to participate in the study using structured questionnaires and interview guides. Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively, and qualitative data analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.Results: Most women rated their interactions with the HCPs as trustworthy (80.5%), respectful (74.5%), and devoted (77.4%). All women were examined during antenatal, and 94% examined during childbirth. Most received medications during antenatal (99.5%) and childbirth (82.6%). Medical histories and care were recorded for 94.4% of women using standardized tools (98.2%). However, only 26.4% felt fully supported in transitioning care, while 37.4% faced difficulties. Additionally, over half of the HCPs were dissatisfied with the available physical infrastructure (75.9%) and resources (61.1%). Three themes emerged: good care provision, receiving information about care, and provider and client satisfaction.Conclusions: Women had a positive experience contrary to that of the health care providers, which was influenced by a lack of an enabling environment. The limited environment also impacted women’s ability to transition in care. The presence of an enabling environment may enhance the quality of care provided to pregnant women.
Objective: Compare the reporting of 16 mental health symptoms (MHS) through AI-based virtual triage (VT) in three European countries/language user groups, including Ukrainians, Poles, and Italians, before and following the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.Methods: Frequencies of 16 MHS reported through VT were compared for 12 months prior to and after the onset of the 2022 Russia-Ukraine conflict (i.e., February 24, 2021 to February 23, 2022 pre-war and from February 24, 2022 through February 23, 2023 post-war, respectively). Italian patient-users served as a quasi-control group relative to Ukrainian and Polish language users, given the lower perception of national risk from Russian military aggression.Results: In 93,877 VT encounters, at least one MHS was reported. MHS reporting among Ukrainians and Poles increased 11.6% and 3.7%, respectively, after the first onset of the conflict (p<.05). Italian MHS reporting decreased 1.6%. Among Ukrainians, MHS reporting increased for 10 of 16 symptoms, the largest being suicidal thoughts/intent (158.7%), sleep disorder (45.7%), insomnia (32.9%), and irritability (20.7%) (all p<.05). Among Poles, reporting increased for 10 symptoms, including sleep disorder (52.2%), fear of dying (27.9%), insomnia (25.3%), and suicidal thoughts/intent (13.6%) (all p<.05).Conclusions: Individuals in nations more directly exposed to and potentially impacted by the war reported higher levels of MHS to AI-based automated VT. Virtual triage offers a new vehicle for enhancing detection of MHS, and for potentially accelerating referral to in-person or virtual/telemedical mental healthcare services among displaced populations needing care in conflict areas.
Background: Adolescents are vulnerable to psychological disorders due to rapid physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes. Depression affects 20% of adolescents worldwide, making it a leading cause of disability. Schools are the ideal places for preventative strategies for school-aged children.Aim: To provide a synthesis of effective school-based strategies to prevent depression in adolescents in Qatar.Methods: The integrative review framework developed by Whittemore and Knafl was utilized to guide this review. The CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Academic Search Complete databases were systematically searched for peer-reviewed primary studies published between 2016 and 2022. Ten articles were included after considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The Population Health Promotion Model guided the data analysis and presentation of results.Results: The implementation of school-based strategies at individual and family levels is effective in preventing depression in adolescents. At the individual level, the focus is on creating a supportive environment and developing personal skills (social, behavioural regulation, emotional regulation, cognitive regulation, resilience, and coping). At the family level, the focus is on creating a supportive environment and developing personal skills (parental and social).Conclusion: Prevention of depression in adolescents requires multidisciplinary school-based strategies that must focus on creating a supportive environment and developing the personal skills of students and their families. National and organizational policies should be developed in support of multidisciplinary school-based strategies to prevent depression in adolescents.
Objective: Evaluate how an AI-based virtual triage (VT) and care referral technology impacted live triage and care referral in an outpatient/ambulatory care network.Methods: Analysis of a dataset of 8,088 outpatient online encounters assessed how VT influenced patient care seeking action/behavior.Results: There were modest decreases in patients seeking outpatient care, including in-person or video face-to-face encounters (-12.5%), or engaging self-care (-8.2%). Patient engagement of virtual care through e-visits and telephone calls increased moderately (19.1%). One-third (35.0%) of patients changed care seeking likely as a result of VT care referral. Another third (32.3%) reported a pre-VT care intent aligned with the VT care recommendation, and a third (32.7%) did not change care sought when their pre-VT intent was not aligned. A total of 12.0% de-escalated acuity of care seeking as recommended by VT, most frequently from outpatient care to virtual care (6.5%) or self-care (4.3%). When VT recommended care de-escalation, 53.5% de-escalated care. In 21.2% care acuity was escalated, of whom 10.6% pursued virtual care and 7.5% pursued outpatient care instead of self-care, while 3.1% whose care intent was virtual care instead pursued outpatient care. When VT recommended care escalation, 96.2% escalated care. Overall, 26.7% of patients required no further action or involvement of clinical staff.Conclusions: Virtual triage impacted patient care seeking action/behavior among almost half of patients whose pre-VT intent differed from the VT recommendation, with patients nearly twice as likely to follow recommendations to seek higher rather than lower levels of care acuity, while modestly reducing the number of face-to-face visits and increasing virtual care. Overall, a quarter of patients using VT were able to perform self-care without interacting with the healthcare team. Virtual triage has the potential to efficiently and effectively redirect patients to more appropriate levels of care.
Heart failure (HF) is a chronic medical condition becoming increasingly prevalent around the world. This condition is linked to poor quality of life (QoL) due to the impact it has on patients functional status and mental health. There have been several advancements in the care and management of patients with HF with little change to self-care interventions resulting. Two self-care interventions which are recommended throughout clinical guidelines are sodium and fluid restriction. These are widely used and encouraged through patient education. Research, however, has questioned their validity and demonstrated a lack of evidence on improved outcomes. In order to determine whether changes to current practice is warranted, an integrative review has been completed. The aim is to assess whether these self-care interventions improve outcomes for patients with HF. From this review identified themes include a lack of robust data, the potential harm of interventions, and various outcomes extending beyond HF exacerbations and readmissions. There appears to be a lack of recent data on the impact of a fluid restriction as an independent variable. However, there are noted improvements in a variety of outcomes from both interventions outside of hospital readmissions which demonstrates they are valuable. Given these findings there is not enough evidence to remove restrictions but there are recommendations which can be made to modify current practice. These recommendations include liberalizing sodium and fluid restrictions and making restrictions more specific to the severity of HF for patients going forward.
This qualitative descriptive study explores Ukrainian refugee women’s settlement experiences and how they negotiate the social and health care services to support their mental health and well-being in Canada. Utilizing an intersectional lens data from the lived experience of 16 Ukrainian refugee women was thematically analyzed. Four prominent themes emerge from the women’s narratives of their migration and settlement journey – a) confluence of oppressions; b) multifaceted and interwoven paths to cultural integration and adaptation, c) convergence of identity in professional development; and d) navigating settlement. Research findings reveal the complexities of self-reconstruction and socialization as experienced by refugee women. We are of the opinion that hosting refugee women in a new country and providing hope for a new life mean offering them meaningful choices built on forms of affordable and accessible culturally appropriate health and social services and ensuring that their settlement and integration in their new country is successful.
Background: While numerous research has been conducted on the energy efficiency advantages of green buildings, there remains a limited exploration of their effects on individuals’ health conditions and dietary intake. Green building’s structure and design aim to reduce the impact on the surrounding environments while also helping to improve the quality of health of individuals who live within them.Aim: The objective of this study was to examine the impact of green buildings on health outcomes and dietary intake.Method: Using four databases (Agricola, EBSCO, PubMed, and Web of Science), search of literature was directed with the following keywords: green buildings, green homes, built environment, housing design, health outcomes, dietary patterns, dietary intake, eating behavior, food choices, and others. We reviewed 33 articles, and 19 met our inclusion criteria.Results: The synthesis of literature revealed four overarching themes: the association between green buildings and respiratory diseases, mental health, dietary intake, and physical activity level. Our findings suggest an association between green buildings and the improvement of certain health conditions, including asthma, depression, and obesity.Conclusion: The results emphasize the necessity for additional research to investigate the sustained impact of green buildings on residents’ health and dietary habits over an extended period. The implications of the findings are significant for policymakers, urban planners, and researchers, underscoring the potential of green building initiatives in promoting healthy living environments.
Background: A wide range of evidence has shown that there is a crisis in the mental health of healthcare workers (HCWs) due to the nature of their work. Resilience has been recognized as an essential component in supporting mental health. No synthesized literature concretely defines the concept of resilience or outlines the factors that affect the resilience of HCWs in the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC).Aim: To explore the definition of resilience and to provide a synthesis of the factors that affect the resilience of HCWs in the GCC.Method: Whittemore and Knafl’s framework guided this integrative review. Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINHAL), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System (MEDLINE), and Excerpta Medica Database (Embase) were searched systematically for peer-reviewed primary studies published between 2011 and 2022. Considering inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of nine articles were included. The Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to assess the quality of the studies. The socio-ecological model was used for data extraction, analysis, and presentation of findings.Results: The definition of resilience varies across the included studies. The factors that affect the resilience of HCWs fall within three main themes: intrapersonal factors (individual characteristics and internal influences), interpersonal factors (teamwork and camaraderie), and organizational factors (work setting, availability of resources, shift length, and leadership style).Conclusions: The resilience of HCWs can be affected by multiple factors. As a result, the interventions targeting the improvement of resilience should be multi-dimensional. Organizational policies should be developed in a way that supports a culture that fosters the resilience of HCWs in the GCC.
Background: Falling is a big threat to community-dwelling older adults’ independence. The chance of falling increases as people become older, which increases morbidity and mortality. The outcomes related to falls impact families, communities, and healthcare systems. As a result, the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) seeks to decrease the number of falls for community-dwelling older adults in Qatar.Aims: To explore the risk factors for falls in community-dwelling older adults. To inform the education of PHCC nurses so that they might begin to look at prevention strategies.Method: Cronin et al.’s framework guided this integrative literature review. CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, Embase, and PubMed databases were utilized to search for relevant articles. The search process returned 20 articles that met the inclusion requirements.Results: Various intrinsic and extrinsic factors lead to falls in community-dwelling older adults. The intrinsic factors include socio-demographic factors, physical health factors, physiological factors, sensory factors, psychological factors, and social factors. Environmental factors were the sole extrinsic factor.Conclusion: The findings of this literature review can be used to inform the creation of an educational program to improve home care nurses’ understanding of and attitudes toward the causes of falls in community-dwelling older adults. Through this program, nurses may begin to predict factors that lead to falls and, therefore, find strategies that help to reduce them.
Middle Eastern immigrant women (MEIW) living in Canada have significantly increased. However, this group of women is under-represented in health research, and there is a gap in knowledge about their experiences when they access healthcare services for cancer care in Canada. This qualitative approach was conducted to uncover the meaning of the lived experiences of MEIW with healthcare services in Canada during their cancer survivorship (CS). Data were collected through unstructured interviews and one written description from three MEIW. Data were analyzed using a descriptive phenomenological approach developed by Giorgi. Four themes emerged to represent the essence (or meaning) of the participants’ lived experiences. Their healthcare was accompanied with delays and unmet needs. Yet, they found it helpful when they were provided with knowledge and information. The ability to communicate in English was equal to empowerment for each of them, while they faced cultural stigmatization of mental health issues. Thus, healthcare professionals need to identify immigrant women’s unmet support needs and psychosocial responses during their cancer survivorship. Language-specific and culturally competent cancer-care intervention programs must be developed within the Canadian healthcare system.
Introduction: Hazaras have experienced prolonged and repetitive marginalisation, stigmatisation, persecution and conflict as a minority ethnic group in Afghanistan for their linguistic, religious and ideological differences. As a marginalised group they are a product of generally poor socioeconomic and health status with resultant ill effects. Hazaras make up the largest group of refugees who have resettled in Victoria, particularly Shepparton. Part of the reason for this is that the region supports the largest food-based manufacturing industries in the country and so there are good work opportunities for those that do not have recognisable skills with limited English.Aim: To explore the health care issues and challenges of Hazara located in Shepparton, Australia.Results: The literature review identified that the Hazara community have multiple physical and psychological health needs most likely a result of the trauma and torture when in Afghanistan, plus from the often, dangerous journey to Australia and then from what is usually prolonged periods in immigration detention centres. On top of this are the challenges that occur with their resettlement including language and cultural differences and low health literacy as well as lack of understanding of health services in Australia. All creating barriers to access.Discussion: The recommendation is to outline the rationale and process for the development of Health Hub (HHH) for the Hazara community within Community Health @ GV Health, the major community health centre in Shepparton, Victoria. Through fostering strong relationships between the Hazaras and their primary care team in consultation with the Hazara community will, therefore, ensure the outcomes are tailored to their individual needs and help improve their health outcome.
Background: Advocacy for children is an essential part of pediatric medical practice. The rights of children receiving medical care should be protected while accommodating each individual’s attributes. The current study aimed to identify the policies and practices on medical care and children’s rights based on a survey conducted at 907 hospitals and clinics in 2016 by the Kanto Bar Association.Methods: The survey results were analyzed with the approval of the Kanto Bar Association. This research focused on the rights of children receiving medical care to make their own decisions and psychosocial factors involved in medical practice.Results: Explanation was actively provided to children receiving medical care. Moreover, support was found to be important in providing children with easy-to-understand explanations, assuring that consent was obtained from children, and assessing psychosocial factors affecting decision-making. Improving the physical and human environment can promote and enable the voluntary participation of children. That is, information about the right to voluntary participation among children should be disseminated, medical staffs must be educated, medical fees should be evaluated, and professionals must be trained.Conclusions: This study recommends to protect the personal integrity and dignity of children receiving medical care by respecting them as individuals and ensuring their right to express opinion and self-determination.
Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a global health issue. Literature has shown that primary care nurse-led cardiovascular disease clinics improve cardiac patient outcomes. These clinics improve the level of services provided, increase patient satisfaction, and decrease the mortality rate.Aim: This literature review aims to identify the roles and responsibilities of nurses working in CVD nurse-led clinics and to identify the outcomes of these nurse-led clinics.Method: Whittemore and Knafl’s framework guided this integrative review. Seventeen studies published between 2017 and 2022 were included in the review. The Mixed-Method Appraisal Tool was used to assess the quality of the studies.Results: Three themes emerge in this literature review: roles and responsibilities of nurse-led CVD clinics, the impact of nurse-led CVD clinics, and the qualifications of nurses working in these clinics.Conclusions: This integrative review identifies a framework for the roles and responsibilities of nurse-led CVD clinics and highlights the positive patient outcomes. This framework will help CVD nurse-led clinics to meet the needs of patients and achieve a high level of patient satisfaction.
Background: Several factors might impact the development of auditory, speech, and communication skills as well as academic performance in children with cochlear implants. These factors are important for these children’s transition to mainstream education. A lack of understanding among school staff about cochlear implant technology and these children’s special needs affects their school performance. Therefore, educational services need to include specialized sessions for nurses and teachers to meet the educational and special needs of these children.Aim: To explore the factors influencing the rehabilitation and education of children who have cochlear implants and highlight empirical evidence that will guide the development of educational sessions for school nurses and teachers who encounter these students.Methods: Whittemore and Knafl’s framework for integrative review guided this work. An electronic search was conducted using the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, MEDLINE, and Academic Search Complete databases. Data was extracted and organized into the individual, interpersonal and organizational, and policy and environmental levels of the Socio-Ecological Model.Results: The individual-level factors are age at implantation, abnormal inner ear morphology, presence of additional disabilities, and hours of daily device use. The interpersonal and organizational factors include lower socioeconomic status, support within the family, and lack of experts at mainstream schools. The policy and environmental level factors are a failure in implementing hearing screening programs, lack of community awareness, and lack of clear education policies within the schools.Conclusions: Children face challenges at schools due to a lack of experts who are familiar with the needs of children with cochlear implants. To realize the children’s needs and provide proper educational support by school staff, teaching and training sessions need to be.
Background: Pharmaceutical care services in Saudi Arabia recently transferred from Ministry of Health (MOH) primary healthcare centers (PHCs) to community pharmacies (Wasfaty service). However, there is a lack of research on the need and impact of this transition. This study explored the Saudi community’s perception toward the transition of pharmaceutical care service from MOH PHCs to the Wasfaty service. Community needs and expectations from the Wasfaty service were assessed, and its experience, concerns, and limitations were evaluated. Methods: Qualitative, in-depth, semistructured interviews of Saudi community members who visited community pharmacies with electronic prescriptions from MOH primary healthcare clinics were conducted. The data obtained from 18 participants were thematically organized and analyzed using NVivo software. Results: Seven themes related to the new Wasfaty service were identified and divided into three categories: perception toward the transition in pharmaceutical care, experience of the Wasfaty service, and concerns about and limitations of the Wasfaty service. The Saudi community was generally satisfied with the new Wasfaty service and highlighted its benefits: easier access, time flexibility, and less crowded community pharmacies. In addition, the Wasfaty service provided them with better communication with pharmacists, better education about their medications, better availability of medications, better control over medication dispensing, and easier refills compared to primary healthcare pharmacies. However, the community complained about the lack of privacy in community pharmacies, the number and location of community pharmacies having the Wasfaty service, a few technical issues, a lack of female pharmacists, few Saudi pharmacists, a lack of labels on medications, and limited or no instructions about medication storage. Conclusion: The Saudi community needs the transition from MOH PHCs to the Wasfaty service in pharmaceutical care. The community also has concerns about this transition and the limitations of the Wasfaty service.
Background: Mobile health (mHealth) interventions are being tested to improve contraceptive uptake in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, few attempts have systematically reviewed the mHealth programs to enhance family planning (FP) services among women in SSA. At the same time, more than half of low-income countries’ population have a cell phone. This review identifies and highlights facilitators and barriers to implementing cell phone interventions designed to target women FP services.Methods: Databases including PubMed, CINAHL, Epistemonikos, Embase, and Global Health were systematically searched for studies from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2020, to identify various mHealth interventions used to improve the use of FP services among women in SSA. Two authors independently selected eligible publications based on inclusion/exclusion criteria, assessed study quality and extracted data using a pre-defined data extraction sheet. In addition, a content analysis was conducted using a validated extraction grid with a pre-established categorization of barriers and facilitators.Results: The search strategy led to 8,188 potentially relevant papers, of which 16 met the inclusion criteria. Most included studies evaluated the impact of mHealth interventions on FP services, access (n = 9), and use of FP outcomes (n = 6). At the same time, only one article was interested in implementing a mHealth intervention. The most-reported cell phone use was for women reproductive health education, contraceptive knowledge and use. Barriers and facilitators of the use of mhealth were categorized into three main outcomes: behavioral outcomes, data collection and reporting, and health outcomes. mHealth interventions addressed barriers to provider prejudice, stigmatization, discrimination, lack of privacy, and confidentiality. The studies also identified barriers to uptake of mHealth interventions for FP services, including decreased technological literacy and lower linguistic competency.Conclusions: The review provides detailed information about implementing mobile phones at different healthcare system levels to improve FP service outcomes. Barriers to uptake mHealth interventions must be adequately addressed to increase the potential use of mobile phones to improve access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) awareness and FP services.
Objective: The objective of this study is to analyse the researchers’ studies on the effectiveness of mobile Apps to encourage people to undertake physical activity (PA), to determine what strategy makes utilising the mobile Apps an effective experience in increasing PA in healthy people, and to identify the gaps in their research studies.Study design: The researcher utilised a scoping review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Scoping Review extension protocol.Methods: This scoping review was conducted to identify under what conditions the mobile Apps could lead to the increased PA of the participants through analysing the research studies on mobile App features and participants’ characteristics. Studies included those with high internal validity (randomised controlled trials) that dealt mainly with PA. The articles were selected according to specific criteria including 1) quantitative studies in English language, 2) participants from 18-70 years of age, 3) healthy participants who were recruited from community/primary healthcare centres and at high risk of cardiovascular diseases, and 4) the studies’ outcomes on the apps’ effectiveness and efficiency in increasing PA. The articles were critiqued using the Specialist Unit for Review Evidence.Results: Eight articles were finally selected and analysed. Four intervention strategies were identified from the studies – social aspect (3/8 studies), texting (3/8 studies), health sessions (3/8 studies), and feedback (5/8 studies). Results showed that some of the motivational strategies had a significant influence in improving PA.Conclusions: The long-term effect was not tested on all studies. Therefore, long-term studies need to be conducted to test the consistency of the PA. Additionally, subgroup analysis should be performed to gauge the influence of individual characteristics on increasing PA.
