A Pilot-study of the use of Nutrition-related Apps and Software in Africa during the COVID-19 Pandemic
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the associated lockdown measures have risen the malnutrition problem in the world, especially in Africa. The use of nutrition apps/software at individual level therefore appears as suitable solution given the context. This study aimed at assessing the actual usage l...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Ital Publication
2021-04-01
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| Series: | SciMedicine Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://www.scimedjournal.org/index.php/SMJ/article/view/296 |
| _version_ | 1818434859872288768 |
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| author | Alex Tchuenchieu Hema Kesa Gifty Koufie Eridiong O. Onyenweaku |
| author_facet | Alex Tchuenchieu Hema Kesa Gifty Koufie Eridiong O. Onyenweaku |
| author_sort | Alex Tchuenchieu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the associated lockdown measures have risen the malnutrition problem in the world, especially in Africa. The use of nutrition apps/software at individual level therefore appears as suitable solution given the context. This study aimed at assessing the actual usage level of nutrition apps/software and the determining factors. A cross-sectional study consisting of an online-survey conducted from April to May 2020 with as target Africans aged of 18 and above was carried out. A total of 460 respondents from different African countries was registered. Globally they appeared to have started using computer and smartphones since at least 5 years and this mostly at a daily frequency together with internet. A total of 52.2 % of the respondents recognized not to apply or not to know if they apply the principles of a balanced diet in their day-to-day life, but just 18% reported to be using a nutrition apps/software; COVID-19 pandemic having pushed 7% to refer more to these tools and 0.7% to start using one. South Africa nationals, people living in a household of 3-5 people and those having a monthly income above 500 USD tended to use them more. Almost half of the users report that these tools do not take into consideration foods available in their context. On the other hand, almost half of the non-users (41.5% of respondents) said they would prefer to be advised by a dietician. However up to 50.9% clearly stated they are interested in learning more about these tools, which is of quite of big interest in preventing Non-communicable diseases resurgence in relation to COVID-19 pandemic.
Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-03-SI-3
Full Text: PDF |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T16:43:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c881688de026441888b3144142c502a0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2704-9833 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T16:43:41Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | Ital Publication |
| record_format | Article |
| series | SciMedicine Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-c881688de026441888b3144142c502a02022-12-21T22:54:16ZengItal PublicationSciMedicine Journal2704-98332021-04-0130162310.28991/SciMedJ-2021-03-SI-380A Pilot-study of the use of Nutrition-related Apps and Software in Africa during the COVID-19 PandemicAlex Tchuenchieu0Hema Kesa1Gifty Koufie2Eridiong O. Onyenweaku31) Food Evolution Research Laboratory, School of Tourism and Hospitality, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. 2) Centre for Food and Nutrition Research, Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, Yaoundé,Food Evolution Research Laboratory, School of Tourism and Hospitality, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg,Food Evolution Research Laboratory, School of Tourism and Hospitality, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg,Food Evolution Research Laboratory, School of Tourism and Hospitality, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg,The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the associated lockdown measures have risen the malnutrition problem in the world, especially in Africa. The use of nutrition apps/software at individual level therefore appears as suitable solution given the context. This study aimed at assessing the actual usage level of nutrition apps/software and the determining factors. A cross-sectional study consisting of an online-survey conducted from April to May 2020 with as target Africans aged of 18 and above was carried out. A total of 460 respondents from different African countries was registered. Globally they appeared to have started using computer and smartphones since at least 5 years and this mostly at a daily frequency together with internet. A total of 52.2 % of the respondents recognized not to apply or not to know if they apply the principles of a balanced diet in their day-to-day life, but just 18% reported to be using a nutrition apps/software; COVID-19 pandemic having pushed 7% to refer more to these tools and 0.7% to start using one. South Africa nationals, people living in a household of 3-5 people and those having a monthly income above 500 USD tended to use them more. Almost half of the users report that these tools do not take into consideration foods available in their context. On the other hand, almost half of the non-users (41.5% of respondents) said they would prefer to be advised by a dietician. However up to 50.9% clearly stated they are interested in learning more about these tools, which is of quite of big interest in preventing Non-communicable diseases resurgence in relation to COVID-19 pandemic. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2021-03-SI-3 Full Text: PDFhttps://www.scimedjournal.org/index.php/SMJ/article/view/296africacovid-19eating habitsnon-communicable diseasesnutri-apps. |
| spellingShingle | Alex Tchuenchieu Hema Kesa Gifty Koufie Eridiong O. Onyenweaku A Pilot-study of the use of Nutrition-related Apps and Software in Africa during the COVID-19 Pandemic SciMedicine Journal africa covid-19 eating habits non-communicable diseases nutri-apps. |
| title | A Pilot-study of the use of Nutrition-related Apps and Software in Africa during the COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_full | A Pilot-study of the use of Nutrition-related Apps and Software in Africa during the COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_fullStr | A Pilot-study of the use of Nutrition-related Apps and Software in Africa during the COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Pilot-study of the use of Nutrition-related Apps and Software in Africa during the COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_short | A Pilot-study of the use of Nutrition-related Apps and Software in Africa during the COVID-19 Pandemic |
| title_sort | pilot study of the use of nutrition related apps and software in africa during the covid 19 pandemic |
| topic | africa covid-19 eating habits non-communicable diseases nutri-apps. |
| url | https://www.scimedjournal.org/index.php/SMJ/article/view/296 |
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