Feasibility of NepaDengue mobile application for dengue prevention and control: user and stakeholder perspectives in Nepal
Background Dengue has emerged as a significant public health issue in Nepal since 2006, necessitating innovative approaches to disseminating timely information and promoting preventive behaviour. Our study focuses on developing and pretesting a mobile health app called NepaDengue, assessing its acce...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMJ Publishing Group
2024-04-01
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| Series: | BMJ Public Health |
| Online Access: | https://bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000599.full |
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| author | Eggi Arguni Anita Mahotra Yuvraj Pokhrel Tulsi Ram Thapa Riris Ahmad Andono |
| author_facet | Eggi Arguni Anita Mahotra Yuvraj Pokhrel Tulsi Ram Thapa Riris Ahmad Andono |
| author_sort | Eggi Arguni |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Dengue has emerged as a significant public health issue in Nepal since 2006, necessitating innovative approaches to disseminating timely information and promoting preventive behaviour. Our study focuses on developing and pretesting a mobile health app called NepaDengue, assessing its acceptance and factors influencing its implementation.Methods A concurrent triangulation mixed-method design was used, and an intervention was conducted among 228 university students using the mobile application. Acceptability was assessed using the technology acceptance model (TAM) based on user experiences over 1 week. Focus group discussions among students and female community health volunteers and key informant interviews among key dengue stakeholders were conducted to explore facilitators and barriers. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and a thematic analysis was conducted.Results The high acceptability mean rating scores reported based on the TAM construct indicate that the application is perceived as useful and easy to use and exhibits good functioning and gestural design. The use of the NepaDengue application for dengue prevention and control activities has been perceived as acceptable by users and stakeholders. However, specific barriers were identified, including concerns about sustained usability, illiteracy and limited access to the internet and smartphones. We suggested promoting the application, fostering government ownership and encouraging collaboration to enhance its reach and effective implementation.Conclusions The NepaDengue application has been perceived as a promising tool for dengue prevention and control in Nepal. Further piloting and implementation of the app in the community setting is recommended. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-97c368a2b42e4400997a5f7e54a89d22 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2753-4294 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-04-01 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
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| series | BMJ Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-97c368a2b42e4400997a5f7e54a89d222025-01-28T19:55:09ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Public Health2753-42942024-04-012110.1136/bmjph-2023-000599Feasibility of NepaDengue mobile application for dengue prevention and control: user and stakeholder perspectives in NepalEggi Arguni0Anita Mahotra1Yuvraj Pokhrel2Tulsi Ram Thapa3Riris Ahmad Andono4Centre for Tropical Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakart, Indonesia1 Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia2 Vector Borne Disease Control Division (VBDRTC), Government of Nepal, Ministry of Health and Population, Kathmandu, Nepal3 Planning and Monitoring Division, Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), Government of Nepal Ministry of Health and Population, Kathmandu, Nepal5 Centre for Tropical Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta, IndonesiaBackground Dengue has emerged as a significant public health issue in Nepal since 2006, necessitating innovative approaches to disseminating timely information and promoting preventive behaviour. Our study focuses on developing and pretesting a mobile health app called NepaDengue, assessing its acceptance and factors influencing its implementation.Methods A concurrent triangulation mixed-method design was used, and an intervention was conducted among 228 university students using the mobile application. Acceptability was assessed using the technology acceptance model (TAM) based on user experiences over 1 week. Focus group discussions among students and female community health volunteers and key informant interviews among key dengue stakeholders were conducted to explore facilitators and barriers. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and a thematic analysis was conducted.Results The high acceptability mean rating scores reported based on the TAM construct indicate that the application is perceived as useful and easy to use and exhibits good functioning and gestural design. The use of the NepaDengue application for dengue prevention and control activities has been perceived as acceptable by users and stakeholders. However, specific barriers were identified, including concerns about sustained usability, illiteracy and limited access to the internet and smartphones. We suggested promoting the application, fostering government ownership and encouraging collaboration to enhance its reach and effective implementation.Conclusions The NepaDengue application has been perceived as a promising tool for dengue prevention and control in Nepal. Further piloting and implementation of the app in the community setting is recommended.https://bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000599.full |
| spellingShingle | Eggi Arguni Anita Mahotra Yuvraj Pokhrel Tulsi Ram Thapa Riris Ahmad Andono Feasibility of NepaDengue mobile application for dengue prevention and control: user and stakeholder perspectives in Nepal BMJ Public Health |
| title | Feasibility of NepaDengue mobile application for dengue prevention and control: user and stakeholder perspectives in Nepal |
| title_full | Feasibility of NepaDengue mobile application for dengue prevention and control: user and stakeholder perspectives in Nepal |
| title_fullStr | Feasibility of NepaDengue mobile application for dengue prevention and control: user and stakeholder perspectives in Nepal |
| title_full_unstemmed | Feasibility of NepaDengue mobile application for dengue prevention and control: user and stakeholder perspectives in Nepal |
| title_short | Feasibility of NepaDengue mobile application for dengue prevention and control: user and stakeholder perspectives in Nepal |
| title_sort | feasibility of nepadengue mobile application for dengue prevention and control user and stakeholder perspectives in nepal |
| url | https://bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000599.full |
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