Diana Zagulova

Bio: Diana Zagulova is an academic researcher from Baltic International Academy. The author has contributed to research in topics: Expectancy theory & Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 6 publications receiving 20 citations.

Health literacy among visitors of district polyclinics in Almaty, Kazakhstan

Abstract: Background: This study aimed to evaluate health literacy levels of patients in Almaty City, Kazakhstan and to identify socio-demographics and socio-economic factors related to their health literacy. Methods: An international survey instrument HLS-EU-Q developed by the European Health Literacy Consortium was used in a cross-sectional study with 1000 citizens in the Almaty City at the age of 18 and over who visited the outpatient departments in the polyclinics between Feb and Oct 2014. Results: There were 552 women and 446 men completed the survey, with mean ages as (41.8 ± 13.9) and (44.7 ± 15.2) yr old respectively, and women were significantly younger than men ( P <0.001). Their general health literacy was (34.0 ± 8.6) for men and (33.49 ± 9.4) for women, without significant difference. In them, 15.5% or 30.0% were with inadequate or problematic health literacy. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that higher general health literacy was positively and significantly associated with high self- assessed social status (B=3.86, P <0.001), ability to pay for medications (B=3.42, P <0.001), low frequency of watching health related TV programs (B=2.37, P <0.001), moderate community involvement (B=2.23, P =0.03). Conclusion: Specific demographic and socio-economic determinants related to health literacy were identified the first time in Kazakhstan. This would facilitate programs to improve health outcomes in Kazakhstan.

UTAUT Model for Smart City Concept Implementation: Use of Web Applications by Residents for Everyday Operations

Abstract: The article considers the attitude of smart city residents towards the use of web applications in everyday life. It is very important for many stakeholders since it affects the involvement of people in all processes of urban life and contributes to the implementation of the smart city concept. The goal of the research is to study the factors influencing the intention and use of web applications in a smart city. Based on the results of surveying the residents of Riga, the UTA UT model was applied with the employment of partial least squares structural equation modeling in Smart PLS. The traditional constructs of the UTAUT model—Performance Expectancy (PE), Effort Expectancy (EE), Social Influence (SI), Facilitating Conditions (FC), as well as Attitude towards the use of Applications (ATA)—had a direct or indirect positive relationship with the intention to use technologies (Behavioral Intention: BI) and/or with usage of these technologies (Use Behavior: UB). Anxiety indirectly via ATA showed a negative effect on UB. The influence of Age, Gender and Education on BI and UB as moderators was also investigated. Only Age as a moderator negatively affected the relationship between FC and PE and SI. The results showed that in order to involve in full scope of the population of Riga in the use of communication technologies and the implementation of the smart city concept, it is necessary to create the appropriate conditions for residents, in particular by teaching people on a permanent basis. Some of the obtained results were different from similar studies’ results, which emphasizes that city authorities and other stakeholders should make decisions on the involvement of citizens in smart process based on the local peculiarities, which supports the slogan of smart cities—think globally, act locally.

Aspects of E-Scooter Sharing in the Smart City

Abstract: The contemporary urban environment faces such challenges as overloaded traffic, heavy pollution, and social problems, etc. The concept of the “smart city” allows solving some of these issues. One of the opportunities provided by the smart city is the development of micro-mobility and sharing services; contributing to the optimization of transport flows and decreasing carbon footprints. This study investigates the factors affecting the development of e-scooter sharing services and the attitudes of young urban residents towards using these services. The research applied a PLS-SEM (partial least squares structural equation modeling) analysis performed in SmartPLS3.7 software. The data were collected via focus groups and surveying a population aged 18–35. The authors partially based the research on the UTAUT model (the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology), taking such constructs as “intention to use”, “anxiety”, “attitude toward use”, “effort expectancy”, and “social influence”; they also introduced the new unique variables “internal uncertainty”, “e-scooter design”, “experience”, “perceived safety”, “infrastructure quality”, and “motivation to physical activity”. The main finding of the study was determining that the latent variables attitude towards sharing, anxiety, internal uncertainty, JTBD (jobs to be done), and new way of thinking have a direct or indirect effect on the intention to ride e-scooters in the future and/or to use sharing services. The obtained results permit making recommendations to businesses, municipal authorities, and other stakeholders on developing e-scooter sharing services as a contribution to the advancement of the smart city.

Personalized E-Learning: Relation Between Felder– Silverman Model and Academic Performance

Abstract: Abstract The growing demands for the training of students and the need for continuous improvement of the quality of university education make it necessary to find and apply more effective educational technologies and practices based on the correlation of teaching with the student’s profile and his/her individual Learning Style. This article discusses the topic of relevance of personalized e-learning. It describes Learning Styles and looks at the Felder– Silverman model in more detail. The article contains the results of student surveys on the basis of which the interrelation between the Index of Learning Styles and academic performance is analysed. The relation between performance and learning styles according to the Felder-Silverman Learning Style Model is shown: in some specialties, students with sequential learning style have higher academic performance than students with global learning style, as well as students with mild learning style preferences on the Activist/Reflector dimension.

Possible uses of computer systems in university training of it professionals

Abstract: In this paper, learning and knowledge control systems developed by the Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology of the Riga Technical University are described. These systems are used in teaching various subjects on different study programs and specialties. The paper also presents results of use of computer systems in student self-study and self-control. Students could freely choose, whether or not to use these systems during their studies. We focused on two scenarios of non-compulsory use of computer systems, namely with a motivating system or without one. In both cases students actively used computer systems for self-control and self-study. Our research shows that using computer systems for both knowledge control and study (as opposed to knowledge control alone) increased knowledge level of all students, regardless of their overall performance.

Fear of COVID-19 Scale-Associations of Its Scores with Health Literacy and Health-Related Behaviors among Medical Students.

Abstract: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic causes fear, as its immediate consequences for the public have produced unprecedented challenges for the education and healthcare systems. We aimed to validate the fear of COVID-19 scale (FCoV-19S) and examine the association of its scores with health literacy and health-related behaviors among medical students. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 7 to 29 April 2020 on 5423 students at eight universities across Vietnam, including five universities in the North, one university in the Center, two universities in the South. An online survey questionnaire was used to collect data on participants’ characteristics, health literacy, fear of COVID-19 using the FCoV-19S, and health-related behaviors. The results showed that seven items of the FCoV-19S strongly loaded on one component, explained 62.15% of the variance, with good item–scale convergent validity and high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.90). Higher health literacy was associated with lower FCoV-19S scores (coefficient, B, −0.06; 95% confidence interval, 95%CI, −0.08, −0.04; p < 0.001). Older age or last academic years, being men, and being able to pay for medication were associated with lower FCoV-19S scores. Students with higher FCoV-19S scores more likely kept smoking (odds ratio, OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.08, 1.14; p < 0.001) or drinking alcohol (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02, 1.06; p < 0.001) at an unchanged or higher level during the pandemic, as compared to students with lower FCoV-19S scores. In conclusion, the FCoV-19S is valid and reliable in screening for fear of COVID-19. Health literacy was found to protect medical students from fear. Smoking and drinking appeared to have a negative impact on fear of COVID-19. Strategic public health approaches are required to reduce fear and promote healthy lifestyles during the pandemic.

Validation of the Short-Form Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLS-SF12) and Its Determinants among People Living in Rural Areas in Vietnam

Abstract: Background: Health literacy (HL) is an important factor in improving health inequalities in poor and marginalized groups. Assessing comprehensive HL is critical. In this study, we validated the use of a comprehensive short-form HL survey tool (HLS-SF12) and examined the determinants of HL among people in rural areas. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2019 on 440 people residing in mountainous areas in Vietnam. Health literacy was measured using the HLS-SF12. Personal characteristics were also collected. We analyzed data using confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency analysis, and regression analysis. Results: The questionnaire demonstrated a good construct validity with satisfactory goodness-of-fit indices and item-scale convergent validity. The tool was reliable and homogeneous with Cronbach’s alpha = 0.79, with no floor/ceiling effects. People who were married had lower HL (regression coefficient B = −3.12; 95% confidence interval (CI) = −5.69, −0.56; p = 0.017) compared with those who never married. Higher education attainment (B = 3.41 to 10.44; p < 0.001), a better ability to pay for medication (B = 4.17 to 9.89; p < 0.001), and a tendency to view health-related TV/radio more often (B = 5.23 to 6.15; p < 0.001) were associated with higher HL. Conclusions: The HLS-SF12 is a valid survey tool for the evaluation of HL in rural populations. A number of personal characteristics were strongly associated with HL.

Determinants of Health Literacy and Its Associations With Health-Related Behaviors, Depression Among the Older People With and Without Suspected COVID-19 Symptoms: A Multi-Institutional Study.

Abstract: Purpose: We examined factors associated with health literacy among elders with and without suspected COVID-19 symptoms (S-COVID-19-S). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at outpatient departments of nine hospitals and health centers 14 February-2 March 2020. Self-administered questionnaires were used to assess patient characteristics, health literacy, clinical information, health-related behaviors, and depression. A sample of 928 participants aged 60-85 years were analyzed. Results: The proportion of people with S-COVID-19-S and depression were 48.3 and 13.4%, respectively. The determinants of health literacy in groups with and without S-COVID-19-S were age, gender, education, ability to pay for medication, and social status. In people with S-COVID-19-S, one-score increment of health literacy was associated with 8% higher healthy eating likelihood (odds ratio, OR, 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 95%CI, 1.04, 1.13; p < 0.001), 4% higher physical activity likelihood (OR, 1.04; 95%CI, 1.01, 1.08, p = 0.023), and 9% lower depression likelihood (OR, 0.90; 95%CI, 0.87, 0.94; p < 0.001). These associations were not found in people without S-COVID-19-S. Conclusions: The older people with higher health literacy were less likely to have depression and had healthier behaviors in the group with S-COVD-19-S. Potential health literacy interventions are suggested to promote healthy behaviors and improve mental health outcomes to lessen the pandemic's damage in this age group.

Factors Associated with Health Literacy among the Elderly People in Vietnam.

Abstract: Background There is a lack of information regarding health literacy (HL) in elderly people in Vietnam. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the health literacy and the associated factors in elderly people in Vietnam. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 300 elderly people aged 55 years and above. Data were obtained from study participants using face-to-face interviews using designed questionnaires on sociodemographics, behaviors, and health literacy. Multiple linear regression models were performed to identify potential determinants of health literacy. Results HL scores were 29.70 ± 8.20 for the general HL dimension, 32.00 ± 9.60 for the healthcare dimension, 21.97 ± 10.06 for the disease prevention dimension, and 35.15 ± 9.43 for the health promotion dimension. In the final model, age was negatively associated with HL (B - coefficient = -0.09, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) (-0.17 to -0.008), P = 0.030). Occupation (B = 4.77, 95% CI (3.18 to 6.36), P < 0.001), taking care of children (B = 1.68, 95% CI (0.21 to 3.15), P = 0.025), social activity (B = 4.61, 95% CI (2.86 to 6.37), P < 0.001), doing exercises (B = 2.52, 95% CI (1.07 to 3.96), P = 0.001), television watching (B = 2.10, 95% CI (0.75 to 3.45), P = 0.002), using the Internet (B = 2.93, 95% CI (1.29 to 4.57), P = 0.001), and social connection (B = 3.50, 95% CI (1.23 to 5.78), P = 0.003) were positively associated with HL, respectively. Conclusion Age, occupation, and a number of behaviors were significantly associated with HL in elder people. Health education campaigns should take into account the above factors as facilitating access to the Internet and providing opportunities for social networks for the elderly.

The Concept Map Based Assessment System: Functional Capabilities, Evolution and Experimental Results

Abstract: The paper is devoted to the concept map-based intelligent assessment system that promotes students' knowledge self-assessment and supports teachers in improvement of study courses through systematic assessment and analysis of students' knowledge on the basis of concept maps. During the last five years, both the system's functionality and knowledge assessment approach were improved persistently, and at the moment, certain level of maturity is reached in both directions. The paper focuses on general principles of functioning of the last prototype, tasks provided, teachers' and students' support, scoring and adaptation mechanisms. At the end of the paper, retrospection of the system's evolution and evaluation results is provided.