Magister Public Health - MPH / World Health Organisation and UNICEF recommend exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months and continuation of breastfeeding for two years and beyond. Despite this recommendation, EBF rates have not been optimal globally, with coverage ranging from 1% - 23% in Europe to 0.3% - 73% in sub Saharan Africa. In Zambia, despite recording an increase in EBF during the first six months of life from 61% (2007) to 73% (2014), there is a rapid decline in EBF as infants get older during the first six months, from 94% among infants aged less two (02) months to 45% among infants aged 4 to 5 months. This study explored mothers’ experiences, perceptions and attitudes towards existing Behavioural Change Communication (BCC) interventions and the possible influence thereof on the adoption of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers of infants under six months in Tazara and Chilonga areas of Mpika district.

An essential part of combating climate change is to reduce energy consumption. As the industrial sector was accountable for approximately a third of the total global carbon dioxide equivalents in 2019, it is crucial for industries to manage their energy usage. Research within the field of eco-feedback shows that visualising energy data can inspire energy reductions and promote knowledge. The thesis investigates how a dashboard for energy data visualisations for the industrial sector can be designed to be usable and to inspire behavioural change for its end users. Usability is researched in terms of initial learnability and subjective satisfaction. Perceived behavioural change is studied through changes in users' awareness and attitude towards energy management.  A prototype of a dashboard for energy data visualisations is developed through three iterations of the HCD process. During the first iteration, a paper prototype is developed, and evaluated through a workshop. During the second iteration, the paper prototype is translated into a digital prototype, which is then translated into a software prototype. The software prototype is evaluated through end-user tests at the end of the second iteration. During the third iteration, the software prototype is improved, based on the input from the previous evaluation, and then evaluated through end-user tests. The usability of the software prototype is evaluated through the think-aloud method and a SUS questionnaire. Perceived behavioural change is evaluated by interviewing the test users about their change in attitude and awareness after using the dashboard.  The thesis finds that the dashboard prototype was easy to use and interpret. The following design choices were concluded to contribute to the usability in terms of initial learnability and subjective satisfaction: visually separating information, information adjacency, adding explanatory texts, using colour as a visual encoding, using a colour scheme that provides contrast and consistency, filtering data through multi-select, providing different options for visualisation, using interactivity for further data exploration, giving the user response to actions, considering chart junk and the data-ink ratio, and using unambiguous icons. In addition, the thesis concludes that the dashboard inspired changes in both the user's awareness and attitude towards energy management. The design choices that were proven to affect the user's awareness and attitude were: letting the user choose their preferred unit to represent the data, presenting the user with tips, providing internal and external data comparisons, visualising multiple energy-related key figures, allowing for historic comparison, reminding the user of upcoming activities, presenting a list of scheduled measures and providing feedback of a prognosticated proposed measure in terms of its intended effects.

Background: The primary objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of the Healthy Lifestyles Program (HLP), a novel 12-month complex intervention based in cognitive behavioural therapy and theories of behavioural change, delivered in a community-based setting in Hamilton, Canada. The secondary objective was to explore implementation factors. Methods/ design: A pragmatic pilot randomised controlled trial using quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods. Participants were randomly allocated to either intervention group (n=15) or comparator group (n=15). The intervention group attended weekly group education sessions and met in-person with a healthcare team monthly to create personalized health goals and action plans. The comparator group met with a research assistant every three months to develop health goals and action plans. We assessed feasibility of the program by measuring recruitment, participation and retention rates, missing data, and attendance. All participant-directed and clinical outcome measures were analyzed for between and within group changes using Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE). Content analysis was conducted for qualitative data. Results: We recruited and randomized 30 participants to each group (n=15) within 3 months. Retention rate was 60% (9/15) for the intervention group and 47% (7/15) for the comparator group. Less than 1% of participant-directed and clinical outcomes were missing. Participants attended an average of 29 of 43 educational sessions and 100% of one-to-one sessions. The healthcare team valued the program’s holistic approach to care, increased time and interaction with participants, professional collaboration, and the ability to provide counselling and health supports. Location accessibility was an important factor facilitating implementation. Reducing the number of psycho-social education sessions and having access to a gym could improve retention and delivery of the program. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated the feasibility of the HLP with minor modifications recommended for a larger trial and for the intervention. / Thesis / Master of Public Health (MPH) / Rates of chronic physical and mental health illness are rising in Canada. Lifestyle or behavioural changes can prevent or manage chronic diseases. The aim of this pilot study is to test the feasibility of delivering a 12-month Healthy Lifestyles Program to participants in Hamilton, Canada. The Healthy Lifestyles Program is a complex intervention designed to help participants identify health goals and action plans to achieve those goals with the guidance of healthcare professionals. We observed that the program was successfully delivered, accepted by participants and staff and required minor changes to the study design for a scaled-up study. The program showed positive trends for improving goal attainment, depression, and loneliness scores. The results of this study will help inform the design and scale-up of a larger study.

In collaboration with HappyTail, a Swedish company developing a mobile application for dog owners, this qualitative research study examines and identifies important factors, for developers or other stakeholders, to have in mind when developing mobile applications that aim to support dog health. According to behavioural scientists, there needs to be a bridge between health themed mobile applications and behavioural change theories in order to achieve desirable results. Therefore, literature on dog health as well as on behavioural and persuasive technologies were reviewed. To fully understand dog owners’ behaviours, empirical data was collected from five in-depth interviews with dog owners recruited from groups on Facebook. The data collected, in combination with the reviewed literature, results in increased understanding of dog owners’ behaviours in relation to their dogs’ health, their sources of motivation and inspiration, and how persuasive technologies can affect their behaviours towards their dogs. It turned out that psychological aspects, such as the relationship between the dog and dog owner, was crucial among the interviewees, and that they prefer to use dog themed mobile applications with features such as social support and tailored content as parts of the design. Finally, ethical aspects that need to be considered when including dogs as stakeholders in new technologies were discussed. The result is valuable for researchers investigating dog owners’ behaviour as well as for those developing new technology, especially mobile applications, with focus on dog health. / I samarbete med HappyTail, ett svenskt företag som utvecklar en mobilapplikation för hundägare, syftar den här kvalitativa undersökningen till att identifiera viktiga faktorer som personer verksamma inom applikationsutveckling med fokus på hundhälsa bör ha i åtanke under utvecklingsskedet. Enligt forskare inom beteendevetenskap är det viktigt att det finns en bro mellan mobilapplikationer med hälsotema och befintliga teorier inom området beteendeförändring för att kunna uppnå önskvärda resultat. Därför har litteratur som berör hundens hälsa samt viktiga faktorer för beteendeförändring i samband med utveckling av ny teknik beaktats. För att få ökad förståelse för hundägares beteende utfördes fem djupgående intervjuer med deltagare rekryterade från hundrelaterade grupper på Facebook. Tillsammans med den granskade litteraturen resulterade den insamlade datan i en djupare inblick i hundägares liv, vilka faktorer som motiverar och inspirerar dem till att ta hand om sin egen såväl som sin hunds hälsa, och hur teknik bör vara utformad för att påverka dem till att ändra beteende gentemot sin hund. Det visade sig bland annat att relationen mellan hund och hundägare var extra viktig för deltagarnas syn på sin hunds hälsa, och att social support och personalisering är grundstenar för en intressant mobilapplikation med hundrelaterat innehåll. Avslutningsvis diskuteras även vilka etiska aspekter som är nödvändiga att beakta när hundar inkluderas i utvecklingen av ny teknik. Undersökningens resultat har ett värde för forskare som specialiserar sig på hundägares beteende samt för utvecklare av ny teknik som strävar efter att förbättra hundars hälsa.

This study examines how a user-centered approach can influence product design to reduce physical discomfort when using in-ear true wireless. The given study is a collaboration with the consumer electronics company Zound Industries. The purpose has been to understand the origins of why physical discomfort can arise when using in-ear true wireless headphones and to what extent the user behaviour plays in it all. Previous studies have shown how physical discomfort in the form of eczema, itching and soreness has been caused by the use of in-ear true wireless. Based on user-centered methods such as expert interviews, cultural probes, user interviews, focus groups, this study has been able to identify not only how, but why physical discomfort can occur when using in-ear true wireless. Furthermore, the study has also been able to identify behavioural patterns among users that reveal how headphones are used for purposes other than what they are intended for. It has been possible to show how users use their headphones like an earplug without music to block out sound in order to be able focus or to communicate they don’t want to be disturbed to avoid social interactions. The conducted knowledge and insights provide a better understanding of how design can be used to enhance the experience of using in-ear true wireless headphones. Applying design strategies within design for behavioural change, an adjustable headphone has been developed that allows the user to use the headphone according to the needs of the user. The study provides a basis for how design can be better utilised in future in-ear true wireless headphones.

This thesis aims to explore the potential of virtual reality (VR) to promote sustainable behaviours. The literature review draws from various fields that discuss the advantages and limitations of VR in design experiences (Scurati, et al., 2021)and how VR can provide an overview on training and transfer, education, and procedural, cognitive and maintenance training (Psotka, 1995) In virtual reality and education and training paper Joseph Psotka provides a brief overview of existing VR research on. Contributing to this literature in VR and education for designing behaviour change with a sustainability focus, by utilizing VR technology, this research focuses on transforming a carbon calculator into an immersive VR environment with the goal of increasing users’ awareness of carbon emissions. Hence, this research allows individuals with little to no experience to create and be part of immersive experiences that effectively convey information and increase users’ awareness of carbon emissions. Adopting semi-structured interviews and digital material exploration as its research methodology, this study involves participants from different backgrounds and levels of knowledge about carbon emissions aiming to create an immersive experience that could effectively educate and engage users in understanding and addressing sustainability issues. Through the development of a hi-fi prototype, participants who tested the VR experience expressed an increased interest in learning about carbon emissions, indicating the potential of immersive VR in raising awareness and fostering behaviour change. The study was conducted in collaboration with Nordic Waves Group, a Denmark-based organization that focuses on UN’s 17 New World Goals, demonstrates the practical application of the research in a real-world context, aligning with their commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals. The findings of this study emphasize the potential of VR in promoting sustainable behaviours and highlight the importance of incorporating immersive experiences in sustainability education and awareness campaigns. Overall, this research provides insights into the use of VR as a tool for promoting sustainability and offers practical solutions for designing behaviour change interventions with a focus on carbon emissions. / <p>Examensarbetet är utfört vid Institutionen för teknik och naturvetenskap (ITN) vid Tekniska fakulteten, Linköpings universitet</p>

<p>Nollvisionens mål är att ingen ska omkomma eller skadas allvarligt i trafiken. Varje år dör ungefär sex personer och många flera skadas i samband med idrottsresor. Att arbeta förebyggande med trafiksäkerhet hos idrottsföreningar kan vara ett sätt att bidra till en ökad trafiksäkerhet i Sverige. Syftet i denna studie var att undersöka vad idrottsföreningar uttryckte kring förebyggande trafiksäkerhetsarbete. Vilka uppfattningar som framfördes gällande trafiksäkerhetspolicy och vilka förutsättningar som fanns, samt vad som kunde förstärka trafiksäkerhetsarbetet. Studien genomfördes med kvalitativ metod i form av halvstrukturerade intervjuer hos nio olika idrottsföreningar i en kommun i Skåne. I analysen plockades de viktigaste meningsbärande enheterna ut. Dessa grupperades och fick sedan utgöra grunden för de olika kategorier som skapades. Resultatet visade på att intresset för förebyggande trafiksäkerhetsarbete generellt var lågt och att en trafiksäkerhetspolicy inte upplevdes som motiverad hos idrottsföreningarna. Det var svårt att engagera föräldrar och andra frivilliga, då arbete med frågor som inte rörde själva idrottandet inte var något som intresserade dessa. Diskussionen tar upp att brist på tid och vilja i samhället har minskat resurserna för idrottsrörelsen. Även att trafiksäkerhet inte sågs som en angelägen fråga att arbeta med. Detta på grund av att det inte fanns ett konkret problem att koppla till den arbetsinsats som krävdes. Studiens slutsatser förmedlar att intresset för denna typ av frågor inom idrottsföreningar var lågt och att ideellt arbete spelade en avgörande roll för föreningars prioriteringar. Vidare att det krävdes någon utanför föreningen för att skapa uppmärksamhet kring ämnet och att denna någon mycket väl skulle kunna vara en folkhälsopedagog.</p> / <p>The goal of Vision Zero is that no one is going to be killed or seriously injured in traffic. About six people dies each year and many more is getting hurt in sports- related travels. Working with the prevention of road safety in sports can be one way to contribute to increased road safety in Sweden. The aim of this study was to examine what sports thought about preventive road safety work. What were their beliefs concerning road safety policy and the conditions that existed. Further what could enhance road safety. This study was conducted with a qualitative method using semi-structured interviews in nine different sports in a municipality in southern Sweden. Within the analysis we picked out the most important meaning-bearing units. These were placed into groups and then composed for the different categories we created. Results showed that interest in the prevention of road safety work in general was low and that a road safety policy was not perceived as motivated by sports. It was difficult to involve parents and other volunteers, when work on issues not related to the sport itself was not something that interested them. The discussion addresses that lack of time and will in the community have reduced resources for the sport. Also that road safety was not seen as an important issue to work with. All this because there was not a practical problem in connecting to the effort necessary. The conclusion of this study conveyes that interest in these types of issues in sports was low and volunteers played a crucial role in the union's priorities. Furthermore, the need for someone outside the club to create attention around the topic. This person could perfectly well be a pedagogue of public health.</p>

<p><strong>Syfte: </strong>Att kartlägga patientgruppen som förskrevs Fysisk aktivitet på Recept, FaR® och hänvisades till friskvårdslots i Uppsala läns landsting under perioden 090701-091231 samt att undersöka eventuell skillnad i fördelningen av kön beträffande förändringsbenägenhet för fysisk aktivitet vid första kontakt med friskvårdslots. Vidare var syftet att se om de patienter som avslutade kontakten med friskvårdslots visade ökad förändringsbenägenhet för fysisk aktivitet. <strong>Metod: </strong>Patientdata tillhörande patientgruppen (<em>n = </em>193) sammanställdes och kartlades efter insamling av friskvårdslotsar i Uppsala läns landsting. Patienternas förändringsbenägenhet för fysisk aktivitet bedömdes av friskvårdslotsen, enligt Stages of change-modellen, i samband med telefonkontakt. Förändringsbenägenheten för fysisk aktivitet vid första och avslutande telefonkontakt undersöktes hos de patienter (<em>n </em>= 39) som inom tidsramen för detta uppsatsarbete hann avsluta sin kontakt med friskvårdslotsen. <strong>Resultat: </strong>Majoriteten av patienterna i gruppen (<em>n = </em>193<em>) </em>var kvinnor (75,6 %). De flesta var hemmahörande i Uppsala kommun (75,6 %) och primärvården var den enhet som i störst utsträckning hänvisade patienter (63,7 %) till friskvårdslots via FaR®. Träning på gym var den träningsform som flest patienter (30,6 %) föredrog. Av patienterna vars förändringsbenägenhet för fysisk aktivitet bedömdes (<em>n </em>= 167) befann sig störst andel i förberedelsestadiet (46,7 %) följt av begrundandestadiet (39,5 %) vid första kontakt med friskvårdslots. Det förelåg ingen statistiskt signifikant skillnad beträffande könsfördelningen i de olika stadierna vid första kontakten. De patienter (<em>n </em>= 39) som avslutades av friskvårdslotsen visade ökad förändringsbenägenhet för fysisk aktivitet (<em>P </em>= 0,004). <strong>Konklusion: </strong>Patienter som hänvisades till friskvårdslots via FaR® var till största delen kvinnor och flest patienter förskrevs från primärvården. Förskrivning av FaR® med hänvisning till friskvårdlots ökade förändringsbenägenheten för fysisk aktivitet.</p>

<p>Abstract</p><p>Purpose/Aim: This essay deals with The Swedish Red Cross Society and their work concerning strategical information and communication about HIV and AIDS in the Swedish context. In a broader sense the relation between the global and the local will be investigated and a discussion about what it means to work in an organization operating on a global arena will be held.</p><p>Material/Method: This essay is based on relevant theories about culture and health communication which I have studied, selected and put together, with purpose to analyse The Swedish Red Cross Society and their informational work with HIV and AIDS- prevention. Furthermore I have interviewed four of the organizations co- workers to collect data about their experiences in working in the Red Cross organization with this specific mission. Moreover I and my colleague Hillevi Good attended at seminars and lectures to observe activities held by the organization and to get inside information about what people working with HIV and AIDS are discussing and considering as critical issues. The study holds a qualitative approach focusing on understanding this typical case rather then generalizing facts in a larger sense.</p><p>Main results: The Swedish National Society of The Red Cross has a difficult mission in their work to inform the public about HIV and AIDS, although it is the perfect organization when it comes to communication due to their well-known profile and a huge geographical spread. Foremost this is due to the fact that the problem in Sweden concerns attitudes rather than medical supplies, access to information and other more practical issues.</p><p>The Swedish citizen is individualistic and the HIV- problem does not exist in his/hers reality in the same way as in a high- endemic country, a fact that complicates information and communication. The organization is well aware of the situation and has a good informational approach with networking and education as examples among others, but this is not enough. Changing behaviour and attitudes takes a long time and a lot of resources that does not exist because of HIV and AIDS low priority in Sweden. Although we have an envied situation when it comes to the number of HIV- positive the situation is critical when it comes to knowledge and empathy among the population.</p><p>Keywords: HIV and AIDS, The Swedish National Society of The Red Cross, Stiftelsen Noaks Ark- Röda Korset, Culture, Structure of Society, Health communication, Behavioural Change, Knowledge and Information</p>

Nollvisionens mål är att ingen ska omkomma eller skadas allvarligt i trafiken. Varje år dör ungefär sex personer och många flera skadas i samband med idrottsresor. Att arbeta förebyggande med trafiksäkerhet hos idrottsföreningar kan vara ett sätt att bidra till en ökad trafiksäkerhet i Sverige. Syftet i denna studie var att undersöka vad idrottsföreningar uttryckte kring förebyggande trafiksäkerhetsarbete. Vilka uppfattningar som framfördes gällande trafiksäkerhetspolicy och vilka förutsättningar som fanns, samt vad som kunde förstärka trafiksäkerhetsarbetet. Studien genomfördes med kvalitativ metod i form av halvstrukturerade intervjuer hos nio olika idrottsföreningar i en kommun i Skåne. I analysen plockades de viktigaste meningsbärande enheterna ut. Dessa grupperades och fick sedan utgöra grunden för de olika kategorier som skapades. Resultatet visade på att intresset för förebyggande trafiksäkerhetsarbete generellt var lågt och att en trafiksäkerhetspolicy inte upplevdes som motiverad hos idrottsföreningarna. Det var svårt att engagera föräldrar och andra frivilliga, då arbete med frågor som inte rörde själva idrottandet inte var något som intresserade dessa. Diskussionen tar upp att brist på tid och vilja i samhället har minskat resurserna för idrottsrörelsen. Även att trafiksäkerhet inte sågs som en angelägen fråga att arbeta med. Detta på grund av att det inte fanns ett konkret problem att koppla till den arbetsinsats som krävdes. Studiens slutsatser förmedlar att intresset för denna typ av frågor inom idrottsföreningar var lågt och att ideellt arbete spelade en avgörande roll för föreningars prioriteringar. Vidare att det krävdes någon utanför föreningen för att skapa uppmärksamhet kring ämnet och att denna någon mycket väl skulle kunna vara en folkhälsopedagog. / The goal of Vision Zero is that no one is going to be killed or seriously injured in traffic. About six people dies each year and many more is getting hurt in sports- related travels. Working with the prevention of road safety in sports can be one way to contribute to increased road safety in Sweden. The aim of this study was to examine what sports thought about preventive road safety work. What were their beliefs concerning road safety policy and the conditions that existed. Further what could enhance road safety. This study was conducted with a qualitative method using semi-structured interviews in nine different sports in a municipality in southern Sweden. Within the analysis we picked out the most important meaning-bearing units. These were placed into groups and then composed for the different categories we created. Results showed that interest in the prevention of road safety work in general was low and that a road safety policy was not perceived as motivated by sports. It was difficult to involve parents and other volunteers, when work on issues not related to the sport itself was not something that interested them. The discussion addresses that lack of time and will in the community have reduced resources for the sport. Also that road safety was not seen as an important issue to work with. All this because there was not a practical problem in connecting to the effort necessary. The conclusion of this study conveyes that interest in these types of issues in sports was low and volunteers played a crucial role in the union's priorities. Furthermore, the need for someone outside the club to create attention around the topic. This person could perfectly well be a pedagogue of public health.