Opportunities and Challenges Surrounding the Use of Wearable Sensor Bracelets for Infectious Disease Detection During Hajj: Qualitative Interview Study
BackgroundWearable sensor bracelets have gained interest for their ability to detect symptomatic and presymptomatic infections through alterations in physiological indicators. Nevertheless, the use of these devices for public health surveillance among attendees of large-scale...
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JMIR Publications
2025-04-01
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| Series: | JMIR Formative Research |
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| author | Noha Maddah Arpana Verma John Ainsworth |
| author_facet | Noha Maddah Arpana Verma John Ainsworth |
| author_sort | Noha Maddah |
| collection | DOAJ |
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BackgroundWearable sensor bracelets have gained interest for their ability to detect symptomatic and presymptomatic infections through alterations in physiological indicators. Nevertheless, the use of these devices for public health surveillance among attendees of large-scale events such as hajj, the Islamic religious mass gathering held in Saudi Arabia, is currently in a nascent phase.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore hajj stakeholders’ perspectives on the use of wearable sensor bracelets for disease detection.
MethodsWe conducted a qualitative, theoretically informed, interview-based study from March 2022 to October 2023 involving a diverse sample of hajj stakeholders, including technology experts, health care providers, and hajj service providers. The study was guided by the task-technology fit model and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing the acceptance and use of the technology. Semistructured in-depth interviews were used to capture perspectives on using wearable sensor bracelets for infectious disease detection during hajj. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts was conducted.
ResultsA total of 14 individuals were interviewed. In total, 4 main themes and 13 subthemes emerged from the study, highlighting crucial challenges, considerations, recommendations, and opportunities in the use of wearable sensor bracelets for the presymptomatic detection of infectious diseases during hajj. Implementing wearable sensor bracelets for disease detection during hajj faces obstacles from multiple perspectives, encompassing users, implementing stakeholders, and technological factors. Hajj stakeholders were concerned about the substantial financial and operational barriers. The motivation of implementing stakeholders and users is essential for the acceptance and uptake of devices during hajj. Successful integration of wearables into the hajj surveillance system depends on several factors, including infrastructure, device features, suitable use cases, training, and a smooth organizational integration process.
ConclusionsThis study provides valuable insights into the potential opportunities and challenges of adopting wearable sensor bracelets for disease detection during hajj. It offers essential factors to consider and important suggestions to enhance comprehension and ensure the effective implementation of this technology. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8e133446d4e74c67a54e7b7498e00c85 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2561-326X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
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| series | JMIR Formative Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-8e133446d4e74c67a54e7b7498e00c852025-08-20T02:16:22ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Formative Research2561-326X2025-04-019e6048410.2196/60484Opportunities and Challenges Surrounding the Use of Wearable Sensor Bracelets for Infectious Disease Detection During Hajj: Qualitative Interview StudyNoha Maddahhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-6335-1866Arpana Vermahttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-7950-2649John Ainsworthhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-2187-9195 BackgroundWearable sensor bracelets have gained interest for their ability to detect symptomatic and presymptomatic infections through alterations in physiological indicators. Nevertheless, the use of these devices for public health surveillance among attendees of large-scale events such as hajj, the Islamic religious mass gathering held in Saudi Arabia, is currently in a nascent phase. ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore hajj stakeholders’ perspectives on the use of wearable sensor bracelets for disease detection. MethodsWe conducted a qualitative, theoretically informed, interview-based study from March 2022 to October 2023 involving a diverse sample of hajj stakeholders, including technology experts, health care providers, and hajj service providers. The study was guided by the task-technology fit model and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing the acceptance and use of the technology. Semistructured in-depth interviews were used to capture perspectives on using wearable sensor bracelets for infectious disease detection during hajj. Thematic analysis of interview transcripts was conducted. ResultsA total of 14 individuals were interviewed. In total, 4 main themes and 13 subthemes emerged from the study, highlighting crucial challenges, considerations, recommendations, and opportunities in the use of wearable sensor bracelets for the presymptomatic detection of infectious diseases during hajj. Implementing wearable sensor bracelets for disease detection during hajj faces obstacles from multiple perspectives, encompassing users, implementing stakeholders, and technological factors. Hajj stakeholders were concerned about the substantial financial and operational barriers. The motivation of implementing stakeholders and users is essential for the acceptance and uptake of devices during hajj. Successful integration of wearables into the hajj surveillance system depends on several factors, including infrastructure, device features, suitable use cases, training, and a smooth organizational integration process. ConclusionsThis study provides valuable insights into the potential opportunities and challenges of adopting wearable sensor bracelets for disease detection during hajj. It offers essential factors to consider and important suggestions to enhance comprehension and ensure the effective implementation of this technology.https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e60484 |
| spellingShingle | Noha Maddah Arpana Verma John Ainsworth Opportunities and Challenges Surrounding the Use of Wearable Sensor Bracelets for Infectious Disease Detection During Hajj: Qualitative Interview Study JMIR Formative Research |
| title | Opportunities and Challenges Surrounding the Use of Wearable Sensor Bracelets for Infectious Disease Detection During Hajj: Qualitative Interview Study |
| title_full | Opportunities and Challenges Surrounding the Use of Wearable Sensor Bracelets for Infectious Disease Detection During Hajj: Qualitative Interview Study |
| title_fullStr | Opportunities and Challenges Surrounding the Use of Wearable Sensor Bracelets for Infectious Disease Detection During Hajj: Qualitative Interview Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Opportunities and Challenges Surrounding the Use of Wearable Sensor Bracelets for Infectious Disease Detection During Hajj: Qualitative Interview Study |
| title_short | Opportunities and Challenges Surrounding the Use of Wearable Sensor Bracelets for Infectious Disease Detection During Hajj: Qualitative Interview Study |
| title_sort | opportunities and challenges surrounding the use of wearable sensor bracelets for infectious disease detection during hajj qualitative interview study |
| url | https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e60484 |
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