Bringing Food and Nutrition Information to Filipinos in Just a Click of the Finger Through iFNRI: The Potentials of Information Technology to Inform, Educate and Serve
Journal Title: Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research (BJSTR) - Year 2019, Vol 14, Issue 4
Abstract
With the current internet era, people have been searching online for health and nutrition information. Hence, the public need access to accurate and appropriate diet and nutrition information, which could help improve one’s nutrition situation. Recognizing the role of ICT as an important tool to guarantee provision of quality and timely service to its clients, the use of ICT becomes inevitable to FNRI. Thus, the study aimed to develop, pre-test and implement the Philippine-based online site of nutrition information, database and services called iFNRI. The study involved website development, pre-testing and implementation. Diffusion of innovation theory and descriptive statistics like frequencies and percentages were used to analyze data. Pre-testing utilized online questionnaire accomplished by 87 respondents, soliciting information on visual appeal, content, navigation and overall impression. iFNRI website was developed with six components: iAssess, iServe, iPromote, iBusiness, iLearn and iAdmin where each has specific ICT projects. Based on pre-testing, users found the site accessible (87.4%), useful (89.7%), with an average (71.3%) downloading capability. Users suggested additional information and user-friendly language. Since its launch in 2016, the site had 980,207 hits as of August 2018. The website is on the early adopter stage. The website can be further promoted to increase nutrition consciousness among users. Nutrition literacy has been defined to identify the degree to which individuals can obtain, process, and understand the basic nutrition information and services needed to make appropriate nutrition decisions. It is a stronger predictor of a person’s health than age, income, employment status, education level, and race. Furthermore, data suggest that literacy is a key factor accounting for differences in dietary habits, with more-healthful eating practices positively associated with higher nutrition literacy skills [1]. With the current internet era, people with health and nutrition concerns have been searching online for relevant information. Hence, the public need access to accurate and appropriate diet and nutrition information, which could help improve one’s nutrition situation. As a consequence, health information providers must ensure that messages were designed carefully to address these concerns for effective diet and nutrition information dissemination [2]. In an attempt to address the public’s needs for accurate and continuous health and nutrition information, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) provide the means to the realization of effective state policies and scientific interventions [3]. The rapid advancement of technology has changed the way the people learn and communicate. Technology now allows people the opportunity to communicate from opposite ends of the globe (Sidelinger 2008). Just as technology is constantly changing, ICT has become an important catalyst in almost all sectors of society [4]. It also has the capacity to increase choice in the market place and provide access to unavailable goods and services [5]. ICT is not only a critical instrument for transforming businesses and making government more efficient and effective, but is also a means to empower citizens and communities [6]. ICT enables companies to tap into the competitive edge of particular nations in order to provide higher quality services cost effectively, and on a global scale [7]. As of 2016, a total of 44,478,808 people used the internet in the Philippines, accounting for 43.5% of the total population [8]. Moreover, with the use of ICTs, flexible, multiple purpose and cost-effective nutrition applications gives the opportunity to serve the citizenry at a low cost, thus enhancing nutrition literacy of the people and eventually, the public’s nutrition situation. However, such applications should be accurate and trustworthy in order to gain acknowledgement and acceptance, ranging from healthcare professionals to individuals, concerned about their health and nutrition status [9]. The Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) fulfills its mandate through implementing research and development projects and science and technology activities, this also includes dissemination of food and nutrition information and technologies among varied clients. Recognizing the role of ICT as an important tool to guarantee provision of quality and timely service to its clients, the use of ICT becomes inevitable to FNRI. Thus, the FNRI-DOST has acknowledged the need to ensure a systematic process to develop, pre-test and implement a Philippinebased online site of nutrition information, database and services called iFNRI.
Authors and Affiliations
Mario V Capanzana, Divorah V Aguila, Donn C Romasanta, Maymia J Tumimbang, Angielica R Navasero
Keywords
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- EP ID EP594719
- DOI 10.26717/BJSTR.2019.14.002596
- Views 149
- Downloads 0
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