Introduction: This study evaluates the usability, accessibility, and ergonomic design of six widely used Iranian mobile banking applications for older adults (aged 60 and above) to enhance digital inclusion and promote healthy aging through improved financial access. Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed-methods approach was utilized, integrating quantitative usability testing with the System Usability Scale (SUS) and qualitative heuristic evaluation using the Smartphone's Usability Heuristics (SMASH) framework. Five HumanComputer Interaction (HCI) experts evaluated the applications in a controlled lab setting, while 1,200 older adults from diverse backgrounds participated in usability testing and semi-structured interviews. Statistical analysis involved ANOVA with post hoc Least Significant Difference (LSD) tests to compare SUS scores across applications and age groups, complemented by thematic analysis of qualitative data. Results: Heuristic evaluation identified 135 usability issues, with error prevention (mean severity: 2.27) and visibility of system status (mean severity: 2.22) being the most critical. SUS scores varied significantly (F(5, 1194) = 42.36, P < 0.001), ranging from 27.50 (SD = 7.18) for Bank E to 59.02 (SD = 7.94) for Bank A. Younger older adults (60-63 years) reported higher SUS scores (M = 54.2) than those aged 72-75 (M = 45.3, P < 0.001). Qualitative findings highlighted cultural mismatches and cognitive overload as key barriers. Conclusion: Poor usability in mobile banking apps widens the digital divide for older adults, hindering financial independence. Tailored designs with simplified interfaces, cultural relevance, and enhanced error prevention can improve digital health literacy, support equitable access and promote mental and social well-being among aging populations.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed substantial psychological pressure on healthcare workers (HCWs), largely due to fear of infection. Understanding the factors associated with this fear is essential for designing effective health promotion interventions. This study aimed to identify determinants of fear of COVID-19 infection among HCWs in Qom Province, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 among 385 healthcare workers, including physicians, dentists, nurses, and health specialists. Data were collected using the standard S19-HCPS questionnaire. Fear of COVID-19 infection was considered the primary outcome measure. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, and multiple linear regression analysis was applied to identify significant predictors. Results: Approximately 50% of participants were male. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that protective behaviors (β=−0.087, P=0.015), attitude toward COVID-19 (β=−0.118, P<0.001), perceived health policies (β=−0.773, P<0.001), and desire to provide patient care (β=−0.114, P<0.001) were significant predictors of fear of COVID-19 infection. These variables collectively explained 66.1% of the variance in fear scores. Conclusion: Fear of COVID-19 infection remains a significant concern among healthcare workers and may adversely affect their well-being and professional performance. Strengthening supportive health policies, promoting protective behaviors, and addressing attitudinal factors should be prioritized to reduce infection-related fear and enhance mental well-being among HCWs during ongoing and future public health emergencies.
Introduction: Theories of the policy process provide structured ways to understand, navigate and influence political landscapes using evidence-based approaches. While influencing policy is a core function of the health promotion discipline, little is known about how practitioners engage with these theories. This study aims to address this gap by examining health promotion practitioners’ awareness, understanding, and application of theories of the policy process in practice, and factors influencing health promotion practitioners’ engagement in policy processes. Methods: A thematic qualitative study was used to explore perspectives and experiences of health promotion practitioners practicing in Queensland, Australia using online, semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed with NVivo software using a reflexive thematic analysis to identify key themes. Results: Four key themes were generated; 1) health promotion practitioners understand policy process complexity but have limited awareness of theories of the policy process, 2) health promotion practitioners implicitly apply constructs of theories of the policy process in their practice, 3) organisational context shapes the extent to which health promotion practitioners’ are positioned to engage in policy processes, and 4) industry-level factors influence health promotion practitioners’ engagement in policy processes. Conclusion: Opportunities exist for health promotion practitioners to more explicitly draw from theories of the policy process to inform their practice in influencing healthy public policy for population health and equity outcomes. Stronger inclusion of theories of the policy process within tertiary education and professional development, including formalising industry accreditation, may support strengthening and maintaining practitioner skills to meet industry core competencies.
Introduction: Falls are a significant cause of injury and reduced quality of life among older adults in Thailand, particularly in rural areas with limited access to preventive care. While several fall prevention programs exist, few are tailored to the caregiver's role in supporting older adults at home, particularly caregivers in rural settings. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a mobile application for fall prevention among older adults in rural Thailand using a research and development (R&D) approach. Methods: The five-step R&D process (April 2022-December 2023) included a needs assessment, followed by co-design workshops with caregivers, prototype development and small-group testing, pilot testing for usability and satisfaction, and implementation and evaluation. Through this structured, caregiver-centered process, the application KANLOM was developed. A onegroup pretest-posttest study was conducted with thirty caregivers. Outcomes (knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors) were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests. Results: After using the KANLOM application, caregivers demonstrated statistically significant improvements in knowledge (mean difference = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.12-2.00, P= 0.028), attitudes (mean difference = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.07-0.23, P < 0.001), and fall prevention behaviors (mean difference = 0.16, 95% CI: 0.08-0.24, P < 0.001). Overall satisfaction with the development and use of the application was high (mean = 2.80 out of 3.00), especially in content usefulness, visual appeal, and practical applicability. Conclusion: The KANLOM mobile application improved caregivers' ability to assess and prevent fall risks. Its participatory, offline design supports use in low-resource settings, empowers caregivers to take an active role in fall prevention, promotes community participation and health equity, and provides important implications for future research and policy.
Introduction: The study and conceptualization of self-care have a longstanding history. However, a clear conceptualization of self-care remains contested due to the plurality of perspectives and diversity of definitions, particularly when considering the general population regardless of pathology. Our literature review aimed to better understand how to conceptualize self-care for the general population, drawing on existing scientific literature on self-care theory and conceptualization. Methods: We followed The Cochrane Collaboration’s and PRISMA-P Group’s methodological guidelines for the conceptualization, analysis, and reporting of literature reviews. Results: Our results reaffirmed the varied and evolving interpretations of self-care and provided insights into conceptualizing and promoting self-care among the general population. The analysis, based on three main criteria (definitions, antecedents, and consequences), highlighted a continuous renewal of the self-care concept across various disciplines and demographic groups. For the general population, self-care is fundamentally intentional and purpose-driven, encompassing a wide spectrum of purposes from health management to enhancing overall well-being. This multifaceted concept integrates actions, abilities, and socio-cognitive processes and emphasizes the importance of understanding the multiple antecedents of self-care to develop effective policies and interventions that enhance well-being and quality of life across diverse groups. Conclusion: From our perspective, the conceptualization of self-care for the general population benefits from a systemic, ecological view. Moreover, promoting self-care outcomes, such as autonomy, independence, and self-efficacy, can yield benefits, including improved health and well-being for the general population. We advocate for a multi-tiered approach to self-care promotion, implemented through schools, workplaces, and broader community contexts, to maximize benefits across society.
