Redesigning walking brochures using behaviour change theory: implications for walking intentions in natural environments

'I can't relate to it': Exploring autistic and non-autistic adults' perceptions of the Australian Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines

BACKGROUND

Despite sufficient physical activity (PA) being strongly associated with better health outcomes, half of the Australian population does not meet the Australian PA and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines. This shortfall is more pronounced among autistic adults, who exhibit poorer health outcomes and lower PA levels than non-autistic adults. Despite these disparities, there is a limited understanding of how autistic and non-autistic individuals perceive and interpret the PA guidelines.

METHODS

This study investigated how autistic and non-autistic adults perceive and comprehend the Australian PA guidelines. This study used interpretative phenomenological analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 15 autistic and 20 non-autistic adults were interviewed, and 4 themes that were largely similar between both groups were identified: (1) Lack of Awareness and Engagement with the PA Guidelines, (2) Misinterpretation of Key Terms and Concepts, (3) Perceived lack of Relevance and Relatability of the PA Guidelines and (4) Lack of Inclusivity.

CONCLUSION

The findings underscore the importance of crafting health communication and promotion materials that are more visible, clear, inclusive and engaging for non-autistic and autistic individuals in Australia. SO WHAT?: This study highlights the potential for improving the number of people correctly understanding the PA guidelines by addressing dissemination methods, knowledge and interpretation of the guidelines as some components of the multifaceted process required to achieve behaviour change.

Applying behavioural economics principles to increase demand for free HIV testing services at private doctor-led clinics in Johannesburg, South Africa: A randomised controlled trial

Expanding free HIV testing service (HTS) access to include private clinics could increase testing rates. A donor funded programme, GP Care Cell, offered free HIV testing at selected private doctor-led clinics but uptake was low. We investigated whether HTS demand creation materials that used behavioural economics principles could increase demand for HIV testing at these clinics. We conducted a randomised controlled trial in Johannesburg, South Africa (January-April 2022) distributing brochures promoting HTS to adults in five private doctor-led clinic catchment areas. Individuals were randomised to receive three brochure types: (1) "Standard of care" (SOC) advertising a free HIV test and ART; (2) "Healthy lifestyle screening" promoted free low-cost health screenings in addition to HTS; and (3) "Recipient of care voucher" leveraged loss aversion and the endowment effect by highlighting the monetary value of free HTS. The primary outcome was presenting at the clinic following exposure to the brochures. Logistic regression compared outcomes between arms. We found that of the 12,129 brochures distributed, 658 were excluded because of errors or duplicates and 11,471 were analysed. About 59% of brochure recipients were male and 50,3% were aged 25-34 years. In total, 448 (3.9%) brochure recipients presented at the private doctor-led clinics of which 50.7% were males. There were no significant differences in clinic presentation between the healthy lifestyle screening and SOC arm (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 1.02; 95% CI 0.79-1.32), and similarly between the recipient of care voucher and SOC arm (AOR 1.08; 95% CI 0.84-1.39). Individuals were more likely to attend centrally-located clinics that had visible HTS branding (AOR = 5.30; 95% CI: 4.14-6.79). Brochures that used behavioural insights did not increase demand for HTS at private doctor-led clinics. However, consistent distribution of the brochures may have potential to increase HIV testing uptake at highly visible private doctor-led clinics.

Delapré Walk project: Are signposted walking routes an effective intervention to increase engagement in urban parks? -Natural experimental study

Spatial education interventions in the built environment may increase engagement with urban greenspace. This research was a natural experimental study with mixed-method evaluation and repeated cross-sectional design. Twenty-four directional wayfinding signs were installed within an urban park to create a 3 km signposted walking route through the park's amenities in a clockwise direction. Manual counts on one path and bi-directional automated active infrared counts on six paths along the intervention route were conducted at baseline and 12-month follow-up. A QR code accessed intercept survey was open throughout the follow-up phase to capture user experiences, views, and attitudes toward the intervention. There was no consistent difference in manual counts at baseline or 12-month follow-up between intervention and control parks. Automated counts showed no consistent significant change in clockwise footfall between baseline (median automated count range across six counters: 10-130 clockwise counts per day) and follow-up (Autumn to Winter follow-up median automated count range across six counters: 13-103 clockwise counts per day; Spring to Summer follow-up median automated count range across six counters: 13-124 clockwise counts per day). However, 23% (11 out of 48 people) of clockwise travelling route users reported they were following the signs at 12-month follow-up. Intercept survey respondents (n = 27) appeared to be infrequent park users (number of respondents for 'my first visit': 7, and 'one to two times per month: 9), with the new signs making them feel less anxious about exploring unfamiliar areas, while motivating them to walk further than originally planned and helping them to 'take notice' of the landscape. Directional wayfinding for recreational walking appears to help infrequent users engage with urban greenspace.

Applying behavioural economics principles to increase demand for free HIV testing services at private doctor-led clinics in Johannesburg, South Africa: A randomised controlled trial

Background

Expanding free HIV testing service (HTS) access to include private clinics could increase testing rates. A donor funded programme, GP Care Cell, offered free HIV testing at selected private doctor-led clinics but uptake was low. We investigated whether HTS demand creation materials that used behavioural economics principles could increase demand for HIV testing at these clinics.

Methods

We conducted a randomised controlled trial in Johannesburg, South Africa (January-April 2022) distributing brochures promoting HTS to adults in five private doctor-led clinic catchment areas. Individuals were randomised to receive three brochure types: (1) "Standard of care" (SOC) advertising a free HIV test and ART; (2) "Healthy lifestyle screening" promoted free low-cost health screenings in addition to HTS; and (3) "Recipient of care voucher" leveraged loss aversion and the endowment effect by highlighting the monetary value of free HTS. The primary outcome was presenting at the clinic following exposure to the brochures. Logistic regression compared outcomes between arms.

Results

Of the 12,129 brochures distributed, 658 were excluded because of errors or duplicates and 11,471 were analysed. About 59% of brochure recipients were male and 50,3% were aged 25-34 years. In total, 448 (3.9%) brochure recipients presented at the private doctor-led clinics of which 50.7% were males. There were no significant differences in clinic presentation between the healthy lifestyle screening and SOC arm (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 1.02; 95% CI 0.79-1.32), and similarly between the recipient of care voucher and SOC arm (AOR 1.08; 95% CI 0.84-1.39). Individuals were more likely to attend clinics that were centrally located with visible branding for HTS (AOR=5.30; 95% CI: 4.14-6.79).

Conclusion

Brochures that used behavioural insights did not increase demand for HTS at private doctor-led clinics. However, consistent distribution of the brochures may have potential to increase HIV testing uptake at highly visible private doctor-led clinics.

A mixed-methods exploration of virtual reality as a tool to promote green exercise

The salutogenic effects of green exercise are widely recognised, yet many individuals do not engage in this health-related behaviour. Using a convergent mixed methods approach, this study explored the impact of experiencing nature through Virtual Reality (VR) on the decision-making process relating to green exercise. Three experimental trials were conducted (overall n = 136), in which healthy adults were exposed to different VR scenarios reproducing a virtual walk in an existing urban green area. Participants reported medium–high rating of intent to visit the location. Significant pre-to-post increments in future green exercise intention were observed after the VR exposure, though a significance difference was not achieved in comparison with a control condition. Qualitative analysis revealed the impact of the VR experience on behaviour regulation, and highlighted the pivotal role of anticipated emotional benefits. Despite scepticism, the VR experience was effective in arousing curiosity to explore natural environments, which was associated with environmental perceptions as well as nostalgic and socio-cultural perspectives.