Improve Consumer Awareness Research Articles

Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards genetically modified foods in Zimbabwe

Controversy regarding use of genetically modified (GM) foods still persists in both developing and developed worlds. Proponents of genetically engineered foods argue this is a sustainable solution to resource-limited settings where food insecurity continues to increase. However, in this pertinent debate, there is deficiency of knowledge on the opinion of the general public from resource-limited African communities. The aim of this paper is to describe the general public’s level of knowledge and perceptions towards use of GM foods in Zimbabwe. A descriptive cross sectional survey was conducted among 301 participants attending a country-wide Traditional and Organic Foods Festival in Harare. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Poor level of knowledge on GM foods was demonstrated among most respondents (60%) and associated with level of education (p<0.05). More than a third of respondents (36%) believed that GM chicken was being sold on Zimbabwean local markets. Lack of understanding on the genetic engineering process in food production was common among respondents. Attitude towards GM foods was negative and intention to consume GM foods was low (38%). Genetic engineering on food production was viewed as driven by a few companies for profit maximization (72%) with consequences for GM foods complex and too risky for humans (70%). Consumers believed a total of 44 GM foods were available on the Zimbabwean market with chicken, maize and fruits being common foods reported as GM foods. More than half (54%) of respondents reported to have consumed GM foods in the past even though GM foods are not permitted in the country. People with increased knowledge on genetic engineering and GM foods were more receptive of GM foods in their diets. Although intention to consume GM foods was high among individuals with increased knowledge and positive perceptions towards GMOs, knowledge and understanding on GM foods among study participants was limited. Positive perceptions, increased knowledge on genetic engineering and GM foods makes people more receptive of GM foods in their diets. There is need to improve consumer awareness on genetic engineering in food production to empower consumers to make informed choices regarding GM food. Consumers in resource-limited settings are sceptical of genetic modification in food and should be consulted during policy formulations on GM foods. Mandatory labelling of GM foods could also improve confidence among consumers on the foods they consume. Keywords: Genetically-modified Foods, Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, Publicperceptions, Acceptance, Resource-limited Communities, Zimbabwe Afr. J. Food Agric. Nutr. Dev . 2019; 19(3): 14752-14768

Consumer opinions on adverse events associated with medical devices.

Post-market surveillance of medical devices relies on compulsory and voluntary reports. Although direct consumer reporting of medical device-related adverse events (AEs) is available in Australia, the proportion of consumer reports has remained low. Limited qualitative research has previously explored consumer insights on AEs associated with medical devices and in particular, AE reporting. To explore consumer opinions on AEs related to medical devices, and their knowledge of, experiences with, and views on, the reporting of medical device-related AEs. Focus groups (n = 4; total of 29 participants) were conducted in metropolitan Sydney, Australia. Focus group discussions of approximately 1.5 h in length centred on consumers' understanding of AEs, opinions on AEs and their previous experiences, views on medical device benefits and harms, and actions taken (or potential actions) in response to AEs. With participant consent, discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically analysed. Participants regarded medical device-related side effects to be unexpected AEs associated with their use. Where there was a clear need for the medical device itself, potential improvement in quality of life took precedence over potential harms. Most participants had not experienced negative issues with their medical device(s). There was poor awareness among participants of an existing direct consumer AE reporting system for medical devices. Despite this, the value of reporting was acknowledged. Severity of the AE was a key motivator for potential AE reporting. Further efforts are necessary to improve consumer awareness of available AE reporting systems to better support post-market surveillance and safe medical device use.

Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Australia (AURA) surveillance system: coordinating national data on antimicrobial use and resistance for Australia.

Objective The aim of the present study was to describe the process of establishment and coordination of the national Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Australia (AURA) surveillance system. Methods Existing surveillance programs conducted by health organisations at state or multi-jurisdictional levels were reviewed, and gaps and opportunities identified for the development of a national system. In view of the time frame available as part of the Australian Government Department of Health funding agreement, the strategy used by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care was to commence work with existing surveillance programs, expanding and enhancing them and developing new systems where gaps were identified. Using the specifications of the AURA national system, the data from each of these elements were then analysed and reported. The system provides coverage for the acute and community sectors for antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance. Results The AURA surveillance system integrates eight streams of surveillance activities, including passive and targeted surveillance of antimicrobial use and resistance from hospitals (public and private) and the community (general practitioners and aged care homes). A gap was identified in timely surveillance of critical antimicrobial resistances (CARs), which resulted in the development of the national CARAlert system. The first comprehensive analyses of data across the surveillance programs was published in June 2016, providing baseline data for future reports to build on. Conclusion The AURA surveillance system has established the framework and foundation systems for an integrated and comprehensive picture of both antimicrobial use and resistance in Australia over time. National coordination and support will improve data collection, standardisation and analysis, and will facilitate collaboration across the states and territories, the Australian Government and the private sector. AURA publications will inform policy development and clinical decision making and improve consumer awareness of antimicrobial use and resistance. The system will continue to develop as a comprehensive system, with additional data over time, and appropriate clinical and epidemiological review. What is known about this topic? Surveillance of antimicrobial use and resistance is critical to inform effective policy development and public health responses to the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance. Until now, surveillance of antimicrobial use and resistance in Australia has been fragmented, with state and territory and professional group differences in data collection, analysis and reporting. What does this paper add? This paper profiles the development of the AURA surveillance system, the first nationally coordinated surveillance system for antimicrobial use and resistance, and its use of a partnership approach with contributing programs in order to promote participation and to obtain data to inform strategies to prevent and contain antimicrobial resistance. This paper highlights the establishment phase, noting that the system continues to be improved with growing participation from all sectors. What are the implications for practitioners? National surveillance data from the AURA surveillance system provides evidence for action to guide improvements in infection control, antimicrobial prescribing and the prevention and control of antimicrobial resistance across all healthcare sectors. It will also enable trends to be identified and reported on, and have the capability of determining the effect of interventions to improve and rationalise antimicrobial prescribing.

PERAN KEPERCAYAAN MEMEDIASI PERSEPSI NILAI DENGAN NIAT MENGGUNAKAN E-MONEY DI KOTA DENPASAR

This research aims to investigate the effect of perceived value to the intention of using e-money, mediated by trust. The population in this study is that people who already know about e-money but have not used it. This research was did in Denpasar with 100 respondents as the sample. The data analysis technique used consisted of Path Analysis and Sobel test. Results from the study showed that the perceived value and trust had a positive and significant impact on consumer intentions to use e-money in Denpasar. The variable of trust also proved to be significantly able to mediate the relationship between perceived value to the intention of using. Suggestions for the publisher is expected to pay attention to image quality and security features of e-money to build the consumer perveived value is getting better and increasing consumer trust. Moreover important to continuously disseminate lesh cash society so that can improve consumer awareness and will be able to encourage consumer intention to use e-money.

The feasibility of multisectoral policy options aimed at reducing trans fats and encouraging its replacement with healthier oils in India.

The World Health Organization recommends replacement of trans fat with polyunsaturated fat to reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Although several high-income countries have been successful in reducing trans fat in the food supply, low- and middle-income countries such as India may face additional contextual challenges such as the large informal sector, lack of consumer awareness, less enforcement capacity and low availability and affordability of healthier unsaturated fats. The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of multisectoral policy options aimed at supporting trans fat reduction and its replacement with polyunsaturated fats in India. Multisectoral policy options examined in this study were identified using food supply chain analysis. Semi-structured interviews (n = 17) were conducted with key informants from agriculture, trade, finance, retail, industry, food standards, non-governmental organizations and the health professions to gain their views on the feasibility and acceptability of the policy options. Purposive sampling was used to identify key informants. Data were coded and organized based on key themes. There was support for policies aimed at improving the quality of seeds, supporting farmer co-operatives and developing affordable farming equipment suited to smallholders to improve the production of healthier oils. Increasing the role of the private sector to improve links among producers, processors and retailers may help to streamline the fats supply chain in India. Blending healthier oils with oils high in saturated fat, which are currently readily available, could help to improve the quality of fat in the short term. Improving consumer awareness through mass media campaigns and improved labelling may help increase consumer demand for healthier products. Reorienting agricultural policies to support production of healthier oils will help increase their uptake by industry. Policy coherence across sectors will be critical to reduce trans fat intakes and could be improved by increasing engagement among researchers, the private sector and government.

Improving consumer recognition and awareness of food additives through consumer education in South Korea

Consumer awareness of food additives was investigated, and the educational effects of improving consumer awareness of food additives were analyzed. A total of 2,782 out of the 4,090 consumers approached participated in the study. Consumer awareness of food additives was assessed through a questionnaire before educational intervention. The same questionnaire was used post-educational intervention to investigate how this education had influenced consumer understanding of food additives. Before intervention, many consumers lacked accurate knowledge of food additives and, accordingly, felt apprehensive them. However, awareness of food additive safety was improved from 33.1% before education to 78.6% after education. Survey results indicated that awareness of food additives was influenced by consumer experience, education, and knowledge. With proper education, consumers can obtain a positive awareness of food additives, and various types of consumer education programs should be provided.

Living a managed community lifestyle: managed community lifestyle from Queensland

PurposeThe paper aims to improve consumer awareness of the complexities of community living. It does this by clarifying how living in a managed community is different from a “traditional” neighbourhood; and identifying matters that can become disputes.Design/methodology/approachThe paper builds on research by other authors into strata scheme disputes by examining recent Queensland cases.FindingsMany disputes appear to result from a lack of understanding of the complexities of community living. Matters that should be able to be easily resolved are therefore escalated to formal disputes.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper considers law and cases from Queensland. The types of matters considered, however, are relevant for any managed community and therefore the research is relevant for all jurisdictions. The research will be of particular interest to jurisdictions looking to boost living density by increasing the development of managed communities.Practical implicationsThe research will assist in consumer transactions by providing guidance as to the matters to be considering prior to moving into a managed community. More informed decision making by prospective residents will lead to a decreased likelihood of disputes arising.Originality/valueThe paper is an up‐to‐date consideration of the issues arising from community living. It highlights the benefits arising from increased consumer awareness of the complexities of community living and the potential for consumer education to reduce the number of disputes.

The biology of hair diversity

Hair diversity, its style, colour, shape and growth pattern is one of our most defining characteristics. The natural versus temporary style is influenced by what happens to our hair during our lifetime, such as genetic hair loss, sudden hair shedding, greying and pathological hair loss in the various forms of alopecia because of genetics, illness or medication. Despite the size and global value of the hair care market, our knowledge of what controls the innate and within-lifetime characteristics of hair diversity remains poorly understood. In the last decade, drivers of knowledge have moved into the arena of genetics where hair traits are obvious and measurable and genetic polymorphisms are being found that raise valuable questions about the biology of hair growth. The recent discovery that the gene for trichohyalin contributes to hair shape comes as no surprise to the hair biologists who have believed for 100years that hair shape is linked to the structure and function of the inner root sheath. Further conundrums awaiting elucidation include the polymorphisms in the androgen receptor (AR) described in male pattern alopecia whose location on the X chromosome places this genetic contributor into the female line. The genetics of female hair loss is less clear with polymorphisms in the AR not associated with female pattern hair loss. Lifestyle choices are also implicated in hair diversity. Greying, which also has a strong genetic component, is often suggested to have a lifestyle (stress) influence and hair follicle melanocytes show declining antioxidant protection with age and lowered resistance to stress. It is likely that hair research will undergo a renaissance on the back of the rising information from genetic studies as well as the latest contributions from the field of epigenetics.

Evaluation of Scenarios for Reducing Human Salmonellosis Through Household Consumption of Fresh Minced Pork Meat

Nontyphoidal salmonellosis is the second most frequently reported zoonotic disease in the European Union (EU) and is considered to be a major threat to human health worldwide. The most reported Salmonella serovar in the EU is S. Enteritidis, mainly associated with egg contamination, followed by S. Typhimurium, with the latter being the most predominant serovar isolated from pork. These findings suggest that reducing the Salmonella contamination in the pork production might be a good strategy to prevent and control human salmonellosis in the EU. Recently, a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) has been developed to assess the risks for human salmonellosis due to home consumption of fresh minced pork meat in Belgium. The newly developed risk model is called the METZOON model. In the current study, the METZOON model was used to evaluate the effectiveness of different hypothetical Salmonella mitigation strategies implemented at different stages of the minced pork production and consumption chain by means of a scenario analysis. To efficiently evaluate the mitigation strategies, model results were obtained by running simulations using the randomized complete block design. The effectiveness of a mitigation strategy is expressed using point and interval estimates of the effect size for dependent observations, expressed as the standardized difference in population means. The results indicate that the most effective strategies are taken during the slaughter processes of polishing, evisceration, and chilling, and during postprocessing, whereas interventions in the primary production and at the beginning of the slaughter process seem to have only a limited effect. Improving consumer awareness is found to be effective as well.

Identity theft and privacy &amp;ndash; consumer awareness in Ireland

The increased use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has meant that there is a vast increase in the collection and dissemination of private and confidential information on the web. Many of these systems have been designed and implemented with little regard for security and privacy issues and as a result, cyber crimes such as identity theft have been growing rapidly. Identity theft is one of the primary ways that fraudsters can take advantage of these systems. This paper focuses on consumer awareness of the protective measures they can take to prevent identity theft. The study uses an exploratory approach of measuring the self-reported behaviour of undergraduate students from different disciplines and age cohorts. The results are compared with a similar study of undergraduate students carried out in 2001 by George R.M Milne. In some instances, the US cohort indicated a more extensive awareness of the issues than the Irish cohort and in other instances the Irish cohort scored higher. What is clear, however, is that there are good practice preventative measures (behaviour) that consumers are not following. Further consumer education is needed. Based on these findings, suggestions are made for improving consumer awareness and future research is recommended.

Consumer Awareness and the Use of Payment Media: Evidence from Young Finnish Consumers

In the market for payment media, some consumers use only one medium when paying for their point-of-sale transactions, while others use many. This pattern reflects the diffusion of new payment media, because a payment method innovation is typically first used simultaneously with the established methods. We study the use of multiple payment media by employing data on young Finnish consumers. We find that the use of multiple payment media is directly related to consumer awareness and that not controlling for the endogeneity of awareness can bias its effect downwards. These results suggest that increasing consumer awareness may have been underlying the rise of debit card use around the world. It could also speed up the adoption of new means of payment, such as electronic money and mobile payments. To the extent that antitrust concerns in the market for payment media stem from the lack of information, improving consumer awareness could be a remedy.

Increasing Consumer Awareness of the Need for Organ Donation

Organ transplantation can save lives. Significant advances and successes in transplant technology have resulted in an increase in the survival of organ transplant recipients. However, the needed demand for the supply of organs for transplantation continues to exceed the available supply. This article addresses some of the challenges of organ procurement and offers possible strategies to improve consumer awareness of the need for organ donation.

Predatory Lending and Housing Disinvestment

This paper develops a model of predatory lending within the context of refinance mortgages. The primary objective is to determine analytically the extent to which predatory lenders may decrease home equity in the refinance mortgage market. The model characterizes an individual borrower's decision to refinance or not refinance, and with whom to refinance. There exist two types of refinance applicants - prime and subprime, and three types of lenders - prime, good (i.e. non-predatory) subprime, and predatory subprime. Applicants cannot distinguish with certainty a legitimate lender from a predatory lender; they infer a lender's type via a signal. Predatory lenders are distinguished from legitimate lenders by higher lending costs and their attempts to misrepresent themselves as good subprime lenders. The model is able to address questions concerning the most desirable structure of policies designed to lower the prevalence of predatory lenders and to improve consumer awareness of predatory practices. In particular, it shows that both types of policies can experience diminishing returns, and that effective policies to combat predatory lending will be most effective when they aim to achieve both goals. In addition, policy simulations are conducted that estimate the expected change in borrower equity effected by changes in policy parameters representing the level of intensity in predatory lending and the degree of successful predatory lender deception. Using reasonable parameter values, the simulation estimates a potential annual loss in homeowner equity resulting from predatory lending of more than $9 billion.