1. Home Visitation Program Staff Attitudes and Intentions Towards Using Digital Technology to Educate Families About Preventing Early Childhood Obesity: A Qualitative Study.
- Author
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Zeldman, Jamie, Varela, Elder Garcia, Gorin, Amy A., Gans, Kim M., Gurka, Matthew J., Bernier, Angelina V., and Mobley, Amy R.
- Subjects
DIGITAL technology ,ATTITUDES of medical personnel ,CHILDHOOD obesity ,HOME care services ,RESEARCH methodology ,FAMILIES ,INTERVIEWING ,VIDEOCONFERENCING ,QUALITATIVE research ,RESEARCH funding ,SOUND recordings ,INTENTION ,THEMATIC analysis ,DATA analysis software - Abstract
Introduction: Home visitation programs that reach families of young children offer a unique opportunity for large-scale early childhood obesity prevention efforts. The objective of this qualitative research was to determine stakeholder attitudes, subjective norms, perceived ease of use and usefulness, behavioral control, and behavioral intentions towards utilizing technology in a home visitation program targeting early childhood obesity prevention. Methods: Staff from the Florida Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (n = 27) were interviewed individually by a trained research assistant using a semi-structured script based on constructs from the Technology Acceptance Model and Theory of Planned Behavior. Demographic and technology use information were collected. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, with data extracted and coded by two trained researchers using a theoretical thematic analysis approach. Results: Most of the home visiting staff (78%) were white and non-Hispanic and employed for an average of 5 years with the program. Most staff (85%) indicated they were currently using videoconferencing for home visits. Themes and subthemes emerged, including positive attitudes towards technology as a flexible and time-efficient program alternative for childhood obesity prevention with recommendations to keep content short, at a low literacy level, and available in more than one language for ease of use. Participants recommended developing training tutorials to improve program implementation. Internet access and potential social disconnect were cited as concerns for using technology. Discussion: Overall, home visitation staff had positive attitudes and intentions for using technology in home visiting programs with families for early childhood obesity prevention. Significance: What is already known on this subject? Home visitation programs have adopted technology for virtual service delivery during unforeseen circumstances that prevent in-person visits, such as COVID-19 restrictions. What does this study add? This qualitative study revealed positive attitudes and intentions of staff members of home visitation programs towards the use of digital learning technology in conjunction with home visits to enhance content related to early childhood obesity prevention for families participating in home visitation programs. Key suggestions to consider in the development of future childhood obesity digital interventions include appropriateness for the audience of interest (i.e., available in different languages, suitable literacy level), ease of use (i.e., simple, user-friendly, interactive features), and practical strategies to support the implementation (i.e., staff trainings, built-in flexibility). It is important to also consider technology-specific challenges that communities may face when incorporating technology in interventions (i.e., lack of access to devices, costs associated with reliable internet and data, compatibility of devices). Findings will help inform and guide the development of future childhood obesity digital interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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