Improving the quality of life of the population through the Internet by surveying demand for use of diet planning software

*Erzsébet Mák¹, Márta Veresné Bálint¹, Erzsébet Pálfi¹, Istvánné Németh¹, Adrienn Lichthammer¹, Ferenc Fehér¹, Balázs Gaál², István Szabolcs¹

Summary
Objective.A preliminary survey of demand among non-infectious chronic patients for the development of diet planning software employing artificial intelligence was carried out. We would like this specialist system not only to serve the theoretical development of this scientific domain, but satisfy actual market demand in relation to the population's quality of life and health care services.
Material and method. In the framework of the applied research a cross-sectional survey was performed at specific intervals in the 2006-2009 period among non-infectious chronic patients (n=359) at clinics providing care for the participants. The questionnaire developed by us examined sociodemographic data, the software's method of use, required information content, proof of authenticity, duration of time available for use and the approximate amount payable for use of the program. Data were processed in the framework of descriptive statistics using frequency, mean value and dispersion calculation. The significance level of statistical procedures required for verification of the hypotheses was set at 5% in all cases.
Results. Hypotheses were analysed by sex, age, disease group and method of use. The majority of respondents were women; 221 women and 138 men gave replies. By age distribution the average age of men was 44.85 yrs (dispersion: 18.67); and that of women 42.13 yrs (dispersion: 16.54). Sex, age and selected method of use did not significantly influence use of the advisory system. However, the type of work and even more so the type of disease had a substantial influence on usage.
Conclusions. We obtained information that is useful from the point of view of health science, and for the development of IT software. We identified areas in the care of patients suffering from various civilization diseases that require greater emphasis to ensure their satisfaction. This way it is possible to create a system that is harmonized with the needs of those using the health care software.

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