Psychosocial Drivers Research Articles

Psycho-social drivers influencing the adoption of asynchronous EdTech tools: a gendered perspective

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore a gendered perspective on how learners' intrinsic psychological motivators: valence, technology-innovativeness, self-development and self-efficacy as well as extrinsic social and institutional motivators, such as social norms and management commitment, collectively influence learners' behavioral intention to adopt asynchronous EdTech tools such as MOOCs.Design/methodology/approachA theoretical model was developed by integrating insights from social cognitive theory (SCT) and the technology acceptance model (TAM). Data were collected from 622 Indian college students across different academic levels who had enrolled in at least one MOOC. Data analysis was performed using covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM). The bootstrapping method using IBM AMOS 23.0 software was adopted further for moderation analysis.FindingsThe study found that while intrinsic drivers were positively associated with behavioral intention, extrinsic drivers had a limited influence. The results of the moderation analysis showed that gender significantly influenced the relationship between self-development and perceived usefulness as well as the relationship between valence and perceived usefulness. Our study’s findings represent a significant contribution to theoretical advancements, indicating a notable shift in students' learning emphasis from social interactions to self-directed approaches. These results align closely with the principles of connectivism within the heutagogy theory framework, underscoring learners' responsibility in shaping their learning journey.Practical implicationsOur study findings hold significant practical implications for future applications. Based on our study’s findings on the positive impact of self-development and self-efficacy, it is crucial to offer structured and interactive learning options for guided experiences. Integrating digital skills training into MOOC curricula can enhance engagement across diverse learner levels, given the significant predictive power of technology innovativeness. Furthermore, emphasizing the benefits of MOOC certifications, such as career advancement or academic recognition, can increase their appeal and perceived value, considering the significance of “valence” as an influential factor.Originality/valueAsynchronous EdTech tools, notably MOOCs, have emerged as potent catalysts for social change, providing unparalleled accessibility, flexibility and avenues for lifelong learning. Our study pioneers an investigation into the impact of valence and technology innovativeness on learners' perceptions, significantly influencing their willingness to adopt MOOCs positively. By exploring nuanced sociological dynamics across diverse societies, our research underscores the necessity of customizing EdTech solutions to encompass diverse gender perspectives.

Examining the psychosocial drivers of handwashing behaviour among school children

ABSTRACT Aim Handwashing with soap remains the single most cost-effective strategy for reducing the spread of infectious diseases. From our scoping search, no study was identified which examined the predictors of children’s handwashing behaviour within the context of the Health Belief Model (HBM) and Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) combined. This paper contributes to bridging this gap in literature. We sought to examine variables emanating from the HBM and TPB which could potentially predict handwashing behaviour; determine whether behavioural intention will potentially predict behaviour; and identify school children’s motivation for proper handwashing behaviour. Subject and Methods Data were collected from 717 school children recruited from four basic schools. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analysed using multi-variable linear regression models. Results Participants’ knowledge of hand hygiene failed to predict behavioural intention and handwashing behaviour. As regards participants’ perception of severity, there was an association with behavioural intention in a crude model, but this was not so in an adjusted model. Also, perception of severity was not associated with handwashing behaviour. Attitude to handwashing (β = 0.120, 95% CI [0.00, 0.24] p = 0.046), possession of handwashing skills (β = 0.037, 95% CI [0.01, 0.07] p = 0.008), and subjective norms (β = 0.263, 95% CI [0.20, 0.33] p < 0.001) were among the psychosocial variables that showed potential for predicting both behavioural intention and behaviour. The TPB’s intention-behaviour relationship was corroborated by our results. Among others, motivation for adherence to proper handwashing behaviour included the desire to make hands smell better. Conclusion Interventions targeting the handwashing behaviour of school children should consider strategies that move beyond mere knowledge improvement, but rather target attitude and skill enhancement strategies implemented in partnership with ‘significant others’ such as teachers, and adult peers.

Abstract P373: Psychosocial Risk and Resilience Profile in Rural Alabama: A Preliminary Analysis of Risk Underlying Rural Areas Longitudinal (RURAL) Study

Background: Given the disproportionate burden of cardiovascular disease risk and outcomes, there is an urgent need to understand the psychosocial drivers of these inequities. We characterized the psychosocial risk and resilience profiles of a cohort of rural-dwelling adults in the southeast U.S. Methods: This preliminary analysis includes 765 participants with complete covariate data (mean age 47.9 (SD=10.9), 70.7% self-reporting as women, 77.9% Black individuals, 41.4% with annual household income below $15,000; 43.7% possessing a high school diploma/GED or lower) residing in two rural counties in Alabama, part of the larger RURAL study. We evaluated participants across six crucial psychosocial domains: financial strain (continuous), financial adjustments (categorized as 0, 1-3, 4+), housing stability (tertiles), childhood adversity (including general, physical, and emotional trauma experienced before 18 years, categorized into tertiles), depression (measured using CES-D 16; yes/no), and resilience (measured using CD-RISC, categorized into tertiles). We examined the distribution of study outcomes and conducted race and sex-based comparisons. Results: Resilience was high overall and did not vary significantly by race or sex. Significant racial disparities were observed, with Black participants experiencing higher financial strain (mean: 2.84 Black vs. 2.34 White), housing instability (30.1% Black vs. 11.9% White), and elevated depressive symptoms (35.2% Black vs. 25.3% White). Conversely, White participants reported greater general trauma and depression (highest tertile: 17.8% Black, 23.8 % White for general trauma; 64.3% Black vs. 73.8% White for depression). Sex-based differences were statistically insignificant across most psychosocial factors, except for financial adjustments (highest tertile: 27.7% men vs. 36.0% women) and physical trauma (38.0% men vs. 22.0% women). When considering the intersection of race and sex, Black men had the highest prevalence of housing instability (highest tertile: 35.2% Black men, 27.8% Black women, 6.8% White men, 15.8% White women), and elevated depressive symptoms (35.8% Black men, 35% Black women, 15.3 % White men, 31.6% White women). White men had the highest prevalence of physical trauma (highest tertile: 35.8% Black men, 21.3% Black women, 44.1% White men, 25.3% White women), and White women had the highest prevalence of financial adjustments (highest tertile: 30.3% Black men, 33.9% Black women, 20.3% White men, 46.3% White women). Conclusion: Our preliminary analysis of the RURAL study underscores substantial psychosocial adversity in these Southern rural communities. Future investigations should explore the relationship between these psychosocial factors and CVD risk to help identify potential intervention targets to improve cardiovascular health in rural communities.

Impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency on healthcare professional delivery of opportunistic behaviour change interventions: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundThe public health policy “Making Every Contact Count” (MECC) compels healthcare professionals to deliver health behaviour change interventions during routine consultations. As healthcare systems continue their recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency, supporting people to modify health behaviours is more important now than when the policy was introduced. The present study aims to: (a) examine changes in healthcare professionals’ awareness of, and engagement with the policy over a five-year period, (b) examine the psychosocial drivers associated with delivering behaviour change interventions, and (c) identify targets to increase healthcare professionals’ delivery of interventions.MethodsComparison of data from two independent representative surveys of NHS healthcare professionals working in the UK. In both surveys (July-September 2017; N = 1387, and February-March 2022; N = 1008), participants were asked to report: (1) awareness of the MECC policy, (2) the prevalence of MECC-related practice (perceived patient benefit, how often interventions were delivered, and time spent delivering interventions), and (3) perceptions of capabilities, opportunities and motivations to deliver behaviour change interventions. T- tests (independent-samples), MANOVA, multiple linear regression, and chi-square analyses were used to generate comparisons between the surveys.ResultsAwareness of the policy increased from 2017 (31.4%) to 2022 (52.0%). However, in 2022 compared with 2017, healthcare professionals reported (a) fewer patients would benefit from behaviour change interventions (49.1% versus 55.9%), (b) they delivered behaviour change interventions to a lower proportion of patients (38.0% versus 50.0%), and (c) they spent a lower proportion of the consultation time delivering interventions (26.5% versus 35.3%). Further, in 2022, compared with 2017, healthcare professionals reported fewer physical opportunities, fewer social opportunities, and fewer psychological capabilities to deliver behaviour change interventions. In the 2022 survey, perceptions of patient benefit and delivery of interventions was associated with greater perceptions of opportunities and motivations.ConclusionsHealth behaviour change interventions remain an important part of routine healthcare in the continued recovery from COVID-19 public health emergency, however reported engagement with MECC-related practices appears to have reduced over time. Future research should consider how healthcare professionals identify patients who might benefit from opportunistic behaviour change interventions, and to increase capabilities, opportunities, and motivations to deliver interventions during routine consultations.

Climate action on the mind: a longitudinal study of Americans’ psychosocial drivers of high-impact climate behaviors

Abstract Widespread adoption of high-impact climate-positive behaviors can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To motivate these behaviors, social scientists and policymakers need to understand people’s psychological and social (psychosocial) factors to create an environment that encourages widespread adoption. Past longitudinal survey research has focused on tracking changes in broad climate change beliefs and attitudes, risk perceptions, and climate policy support. While behavioral and psychological research has identified key beliefs and attitudes as enabling conditions, this work tends to study a single snapshot in time, often in a narrow population, not allowing for the identification of trends. In the present paper, we launch the annual Climate Action on the Mind (CAM) longitudinal survey, which aims to track key psychosocial factors shown to be important enablers of climate behaviors. Our work focuses on behaviors relevant to households in the United States, such as installing solar panels and driving an electric vehicle. The paper introduces the first two waves of the CAM survey from December 2021 (n = 2031) and June 2023 (n = 1528), quota-matched to represent the US adult population on key demographics. Our research offers novel insights into how the enabling psychological conditions for high-impact climate-positive behaviors are shifting in the United States, helping to inform the development of future communication strategies, interventions, and climate policy.

Psychosocial drivers influencing local food purchasing: beyond availability, the importance of trust in farmers.

Although consumers bought more local food during the changing context of pandemic COVID -19, this positive modification may not become a stable habit afterward. To understand this change in drivers of consumers' intention to buy local food, we investigated the role of perceptions of various intrinsic and extrinsic attributes of local food, its perceived quality, price and availability, and consumers' trust in local food producers. We also investigated the role of sociodemographic variables as well as the moderating role of consumers' stage of change (i.e., absence, reduction, maintenance, and increase) in the purchase of local food. Structural equation modeling results on a representative sample of Italian consumers (N = 511) showed that local food availability is the main driver of purchase intention (β = 0.20; p = 0.001), especially among consumers who have changed their habits toward buying local food (reduction stage = β = 0.24; increase stage = 0.30; p = 0.001). In addition, trust in local food producers was found to be a key antecedent to consumers' perceptions of local food as environmentally friendly (β = 0.57; p = 0.001), healthy (β = 0.55; p = 0.001), authentic (β = 0.58; p = 0.001), tasty (β = 0.52; p = 0.001), socially sustainable (β = 0.59; p = 0.001), and as a product with a good appearance (β = 0.55; p = 0.001). Overall, these results improve our understanding of which food attributes should be emphasized in communication to promote the purchase of local food.

A psychological examination of attachment insecurity, loneliness, and fear of missing out as drivers of retail patronage among emerging adults

AbstractRecent consumer literature has shown that attachment insecurity (i.e., anxious, avoidant) enhances individual's motivations for retail shopping. We extend that literature using attachment theory to explain how attachment insecurity, loneliness (i.e., social, emotional), and fear of missing out (FoMO) affect retail patronage. We posit that these three negatively valenced psychosocial conditions generally incline emerging adult consumers toward retail patronage to resolve their relational deficits. Based on results from partial least squares‐structural equation modeling (n = 509), we find support for most of our hypotheses. The study presents previously unavailable knowledge about antecedents of FoMO and multiple negative psychosocial drivers of retail patronage. We provide a foundation for future scholarship to examine more broadly how attachment, loneliness, and FoMO impact consumer behavior. Managerial and theoretical implications are also provided.

Psycho-Social Drivers of COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among University Students

Background: Students play a significant role in delivering effective messages for better uptake of health promoting behaviour. Understanding factors that are associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake among students will help develop promising strategies in vaccine promotion of the pandemic. The present investigation was undertaken to look into psycho-social drivers of COVID-19 uptake among Indian students. Method: 587 students, aged 18-35 years participated in an online survey. Standardized measures targeting socio-demographic details, health anxiety, preventive health behaviour and constructs of health belief model were used for the present study. Results: The results showed that overall vaccine uptake among students was quite high with nearly 74% of the students reported being vaccinated against COVID-19. Factors like COVID-19 contact, level of education, belief in safety and efficacy of vaccine, social distancing, age, health worry and preoccupation were emerged as the significant drivers of COVID-19 vaccination behaviour increase the probability of vaccine uptake among students. Moreover, factors like Interference with life, Reassurance Seeking, irrational belief about preventive health measures and perceived barriers about vaccination had significant negative link with vaccination decreasing the likelihood of vaccine uptake. Conclusion: Psychological and socio-demographic factors play vital role in the success of public health strategies of COVID-19 vaccine promotion in managing the pandemic.

Drivers of Resistance in Uganda and Malawi (DRUM): a protocol for the evaluation of One-Health drivers of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) resistance in Low-Middle Income Countries (LMICs).

In sub-Saharan Africa (sSA), there is high morbidity and mortality from severe bacterial infection and this is compounded by antimicrobial resistance, in particular, resistance to 3rd-generation cephalosporins. This resistance is typically mediated by extended-spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs). To interrupt ESBL transmission it will be important to investigate how human behaviour, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices, environmental contamination, and antibiotic usage in both urban and rural settings interact to contribute to transmission of ESBL E. coli and ESBL K. pneumoniae between humans, animals, and the environment. Here we present the protocol for the Drivers of Resistance in Uganda and Malawi (DRUM) Consortium, in which we will collect demographic, geospatial, clinical, animal husbandry and WASH data from a total of 400 households in Uganda and Malawi. Longitudinal human, animal and environmental sampling at each household will be used to isolate ESBL E. coli and ESBL K. pneumoniae. This will be complimented by a Risks, Attitudes, Norms, Abilities and Self-Regulation (RANAS) survey and structured observations to understand the contextual and psychosocial drivers of regional WASH practices. Bacterial isolates and plate sweeps will be further characterised using a mixture of short-,long-read and metagenomic whole-genome sequencing. These datasets will be integrated into agent-based models to describe the transmission of EBSL resistance in Uganda and Malawi and allow us to inform the design of interventions for interrupting transmission of ESBL-bacteria.

Psychosocial Drivers of Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Tobacco and Cannabis Use Among Youth and Adults in the United States

Psychosocial Drivers of Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Tobacco and Cannabis Use Among Youth and Adults in the United States

Pathways to conservation persistence: Psychosocial drivers of durable grasslands following the Conservation Reserve Program

Pathways to conservation persistence: Psychosocial drivers of durable grasslands following the Conservation Reserve Program

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND RISK OF DIABETES MELLITUS IN KSA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background:The emotional toll that diabetes has taken on people and the healthcare system globally in recent years is staggering. Therefore, the goals of this research were to (1) quantify the incidence of diabetic distress among Saudi individuals and (2) identify the psychosocial drivers of this distress (T2DM). Methods:A descriptive, correlational cross-sectional design was employed for this study. Since this study aims to assess relationship between psychological distress and incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus among general population at a single point of measurement, this is the most appropriate design. This enables the researcher to measure the effect and the outcome at a single point of time. This study design gives reliable results with short time and less effort. The study was conducted at (place). Participants were selected during the period from September to November 2022. Study instruments consists of three domains. First is sociodemographic characteristics of participants. Second is psychological distress assessment. Third is determination of the presence of type 2 diabetes. Results:Study included 774 participants from different ages and both genders. Among study participants, there were 443 males (57.2%) and 331 female participants (42.8%). The median age among study participants was 48 years. Among study participants, there were 72 participants had an existing type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (9.3%) in addition to 226 participants had a relative with T2DM diagnosis (29.2%). There were 22% of participants demonstrated having psychological distress (n= 170). The median random blood sugar among study participants was 177 mg/dl indicating high random blood sugar and high risk of getting type 2 DM. As the psychological distress was prevalent among 22% among study participants, there were a strong association between type 2 DM and psychological distress (r= 0.87, P&lt;0.001). Female participants had higher percentage of psychological distress than male participants (P= 0.035). In addition, participants who had existing type 2 DM had more psychological distress than others (P= 0.004). Conclusion:Study results showed prevalence of T2DM consisting with current literature. There was strong association between T2DM and psychological distress especially among female participants.

The characteristics and costs of severe theophylline toxicity in a tertiary critical care unit in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

Severe theophylline toxicityrequiring haemodialysisaccounts for approximately one-third of drug toxicity cases admittedto theLivingstone Tertiary Hospital (LTH) intensive care unit (ICU) in Gqeberha, South Africa, imposing a significant resource burden. To investigate the characteristics and burden of severe theophylline toxicity in an Eastern Cape Province tertiaryhospital adult ICU. A retrospective review of all severe theophylline toxicity admissions to the ICU from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2018 was conducted. Demographic and clinical data were captured and analysed. The National Department of Health 2019 fees schedule was used to calculate costs based on duration of ICU stay and number of haemodialysis sessions received. Of the 57 patients included in the study, 84% were cases of deliberate self-harm. The majority were aged <40 years (77%) and female (79%). The mean (standard deviation (SD)) initial serum theophylline level was 612 (269) µmol/L. Complications included convulsions (n=12; 21%), arrhythmias (n=9; 16%), need for mechanical ventilation (n=7; 12%) and death (n=4; 7%). The main risk factors for these complications were age ≥30 years, an inappropriately normal or elevated initial serum potassium level, an elevated serum creatinine kinase level and an elevated initial serum theophylline level. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis assessing the initial serum theophylline level as a discriminator for life-threatening complications produced an area under the curve of 0.71 for serum theophylline >400 µmol/L (sensitivity 88%, specificity 12%). All the 4 patients who died had an initial serum theophylline level >1 000 µmol/L. The mean (SD) cost per admission amounted to ZAR16 897 (10 718), with a mean of one 4-hour dialysis session per admission. Severe theophylline toxicity, usually in the context of deliberate self-harm, is a preventable yet life-threatening toxicity encountered at LTH. Demographic risk factors include young females from certain areas in and around Gqeberha. Risk factors for complications include olderage, paradoxically normal or elevatedserumpotassiumlevels, elevatedserumcreatinine kinaselevelsandan initial serum theophylline level >400 µmol/L.Patients with these clinical features should be closely monitored and treated timeously at an appropriate level of care.The need for ICU admission and dialysis, both limited resources, makes the treatment of severe theophylline toxicity costly. Further studies of the underlying psychosocial drivers, local prescribing practicesand preventive interventionsrelated to severe theophylline toxicityare required.

Development and design of the first structured clinic-based program in lower resource settings to transition emerging adults with type 1 diabetes from pediatric to adult care.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is increasing in young people worldwide and more children in resource limited settings are living into adulthood. There is a need for rigorous testing and reporting of evidence-based and stakeholder-informed strategies that transition individuals with T1D from pediatric to adult care. We present the development of and design of the first structured transition program in Delhi, India, to inform similar efforts in India and resource limited settings. The intervention development team included clinicians and researchers with expertise in T1D and the implementation context. To select intervention outcomes, establish intervention targets, and design session modules, we drew upon formative research conducted at prospective intervention implementation sites, consensus guidelines, and previous care transition and behavior change research conducted in developed settings. We used the Template for Intervention Description and Replication and GUIDance for the rEporting of intervention Development checklists to report the intervention and development process. The 15-month program ("PATHWAY") includes five quarterly ~30 minute sessions delivered predominantly by diabetes educators at pediatric and adult clinics, which coincide with routine care visits. Primary program components include educational and behavioral sessions that address psychosocial drivers of clinic attendance and self-management, diabetes educators as transition coordinators and counselors, and a one-year "overlap period" of alternating visits between pediatric and adult providers. We followed a systematic and transparent process to develop PATHWAY, which facilitated rich description of intervention context, guiding principles, targets, and components. Dependence on previously published program examples to design PATHWAY may have introduced challenges for program feasibility and effectiveness, underscoring the importance of input gathering from prospective intervention actors at multiple points in the development process. This detailed report in combination with future evaluations of PATHWAY support efforts to increase rigorous development and testing of strategies to improve outcomes among emerging adults with T1D.

P004 Strategies and Unmet Needs to Reduce Household Food Waste Reported by Self-identified Food Conservers

<h3>Background</h3> In the United States, about 30% of edible food produced is wasted, and 20% is wasted at the consumer level. Yet, an estimated 35% of Americans "put a lot of effort" into wasted food reduction, suggesting an opportunity to learn from these food conservers through positive deviance inquiry. <h3>Objective</h3> The purpose of the study was to identify food conservation practices, psychosocial drivers, and unmet waste mitigation needs of self-identified food conservers. <h3>Study Design, Setting, Participants</h3> Adult, self-identified food conservers were recruited online and screened for criteria of age and food procurement/preparation responsibility. Eligible participants completed a 90-minute virtual focus group and survey consisting of previously validated questions assessing household food waste amounts, behaviors and attitudes. <h3>Measurable Outcome/Analysis</h3> Verbatim focus group transcripts were dual coded and thematically analyzed using a hybrid inductive-deductive approach. <h3>Results</h3> A total of n = 27 participants completed the questionnaire and one of six focus groups consisting of 3-6 participants each. The majority of the participants were White (48%) or Asian (41%), female (67%), had a college degree (74%), had on average 2.6 members in their residence, and made above the US median household income (56%). Reported strategies to reduce food waste included meal planning, creating and adhering to shopping lists, food inventory management, anti-depth organization of food storage spaces to promote maximum visibility, meal prepping, cooking meals in the home and repurposing leftovers. Participants reported intentions to avoid waste, confidence in their ability to reduce waste, and personal and subjective norms that encourage mitigation efforts. Participants reported needing assistance determining optimal produce storage methods and desired opportunities to learn from other food conservers. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Self-identified food conservers reported a variety of household food waste mitigation strategies, which could be leveraged to positively influence other households. While these findings suggest relatively high food literacy among self-identified food conservers, addressing their unmet needs may improve waste mitigation. <h3>Funding</h3> USDA; UIUC Division of Nutritional Sciences Vision 20/20

Can psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy play a role in enhancing motivation to change in addiction treatment settings?

Abstract Despite growing availability of several evidence-based approaches in the treatment of substance use disorders, existing pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions continue to have significant limitations, such as low treatment retention rates and high rates of relapse. There is a need to develop new strategies and models to address these limitations and target underlying psychosocial drivers of addiction, such as motivation to change – a crucial factor in achieving positive addiction treatment outcomes. Re-emerging clinical evidence and literature signal the promise of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies as being novel, adjunctive treatments for a range of mental health and substance use disorders, encouraging further research. However, there remains a lack of formally validated metrics to evaluate recovery capital and motivation, limiting interpretation of the growing psychedelic literature. This commentary describes the current state of this line of investigation and potential impact of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy on enhancing motivation to change in addiction treatment, and the need for validated metrics to evaluate recovery motivation and capital to assess the potential for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies to elicit positive, lasting changes in substance use behaviors among those seeking treatment.

Drivers of Resistance in Uganda and Malawi (DRUM): a protocol for the evaluation of One-Health drivers of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) resistance in Low-Middle Income Countries (LMICs)

In sub-Saharan Africa (sSA), there is high morbidity and mortality from severe bacterial infection and this is compounded by antimicrobial resistance, in particular, resistance to 3rd-generation cephalosporins. This resistance is typically mediated by extended-spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs). To interrupt ESBL transmission it will be important to investigate how human behaviour, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices, environmental contamination, and antibiotic usage in both urban and rural settings interact to contribute to transmission of ESBL E. coli and ESBL K. pneumoniae between humans, animals, and the environment. Here we present the protocol for the Drivers of Resistance in Uganda and Malawi (DRUM) Consortium, in which we will collect demographic, geospatial, clinical, animal husbandry and WASH data from a total of 400 households in Uganda and Malawi. Longitudinal human, animal and environmental sampling at each household will be used to isolate ESBL E. coli and ESBL K. pneumoniae. This will be complimented by a Risks, Attitudes, Norms, Abilities and Self-Regulation (RANAS) survey and structured observations to understand the contextual and psychosocial drivers of regional WASH practices. Bacterial isolates and plate sweeps will be further characterised using a mixture of short-,long-read and metagenomic whole-genome sequencing. These datasets will be integrated into agent-based models to describe the transmission of EBSL resistance in Uganda and Malawi and allow us to inform the design of interventions for interrupting transmission of ESBL-bacteria.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Reasoned-action Theories (TRA, TPB, IBM) for Explaining Low E-commerce Adoption in a Developing Country: A Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) approach AI trends in digital humanities research

This paper explains the process of e-commerce adoption through reasoned action theories (theory of reasoned action (TRA), theory of planned behavior (TPB), and integrated behavioral model (IBM)) in a developing country. Owing to a lack of precedent in the study settings, the study first validated empirical scales for measuring psychosocial drivers of behavior using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Subsequently, the study validated the aforementioned models using structural equation modeling, and also integrated sociodemographic characteristics as precursor variables in the model with the greatest predictive power. Results depicted that while TRA and TPB explain behavior well, it is IBM that is the most effective in explaining online consumer behavior, and underlined the importance of using volitional, sociodemographic, and individual-level factors (knowledge of e-commerce and environmental constraints to use e-commerce) to explain online consumer behavior. The study has numerous implications for e-commerce vendors operating in developing countries as the validated scales and models can be used to assess individual perceptions regarding e-commerce and to design effective communication strategies, respectively.

COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Hesitancy (VBH) of Healthcare Workers in Czechia: National Cross-Sectional Study.

The emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and waning vaccine-elicited immunity are two public health challenges that occurred simultaneously and synergistically during the summer of 2021 and led to a surging demand for COVID-19 vaccine booster dose (BD) rollout. This study aimed to evaluate the COVID-19 vaccine booster hesitancy (VBH) among Czech healthcare workers to explore the potential determinants of VBH. A national cross-sectional survey-based study was carried out between 3 and 11 November 2021, using an online self-administered questionnaire (SAQ) that explored the participants’ demographic characteristics, COVID-19 infection and vaccine anamneses, willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine BD, and the psychosocial drivers of VBH. A total of 3454 HCW properly responded to the online SAQ, of which 80.9% were females, 30.3% were medical professionals, and 50.5% were ≤47 years old. Most of the participants were already inoculated against SARS-CoV-2 (95.2%), and BTN162b2 was the most commonly administered vaccine (90.7%). As the study sample was planned to represent the target population, it revealed a high level of BD acceptance (71.3%) among Czech HCW, while 12.2% were still hesitant and 16.6% were against the currently available BD. These results are consistent with other recent results from central Europe. Medical professional, male, and older participants were more likely to accept BD rather than allied health professional, female, and younger participants. The BDs’ perceived effectiveness against severe illness, symptomatic infection, and community transmission was a significant and strong predictor for BD acceptance, while the effectiveness against the circulating variants was not that important for our target population. The BDs’ perceived safety and ethical dilemmas of vaccine justice should be addressed sufficiently while communicating with HCW and other population groups. The altruistic reasons for BD acceptance, i.e., family protection, patient protection, and community health protection, underpin the recommendation of postponing the COVID-19 vaccine mandating in favour of stressing these altruistic concerns amid public health messaging.

Trauma, loss and other psychosocial drivers of excessive alcohol consumption in Karamoja, Uganda

This article investigates the trends, drivers and effects of alcohol consumption in Karamoja, a primarily pastoralist area of Uganda. Although locally brewed alcohol from sorghum and millet has an important and long-standing place in Karamojong tradition, the emerging trend of excessive consumption of hard liquor is a cause for concern among government and health officials, development practitioners and, especially, community members themselves. This article explores the varied reasons for this rise in hard liquor consumption, particularly in Karamoja’s post-disarmament period. The article is based on data collected in mid-2018, as well as information gleaned from the authors’ engagement in the region over the past decade. The peace and security ushered in by the disarmament exercises of the 2000s has, on the one hand, opened up the once isolated region politically and economically. Conversely, it has accelerated external interest in Karamoja’s economic wealth, leading to further disenfranchisement of its people due to dispossession of land. Emerging from the trauma of the disarmament exercise, the drastic loss of livestock and livelihoods and the continuing negligence of pastoralism by the state, Karamoja’s rural as well as peri-urban communities are undergoing a remarkable loss not only of their economic systems, but also of their socio-cultural identity. Acknowledging the specific trauma and loss experienced by individuals and communities provides a lens through which to better understand the excessive alcohol consumption. These psychosocial factors, along with the economic and political aspects, must be considered in efforts to address this continuing crisis in the region.