JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Chronic diseases and the associated risk factors are preventable with lifestyle changes such as eating a healthier diet and being more physically active. In Malaysia, the prevalence of chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, and heart diseases, has risen in 2019. In the present study, we explore the potential of using a digital wellness intervention to promote socially-driven health knowledge and practices in the workplace in Malaysia. It is hypothesized that the co-designed intervention, informed by the social cognitive theory, social impact theory, and social influence theory, will lead to increases in physical activity and healthier diets among the employees.

Objective:

This study aims to co-design and assess the feasibility of a socially-driven digital health intervention to promote healthy behaviour and prevent chronic diseases in a workplace in Malaysia.

Methods:

This study involves two phases: (i) identifying the barriers and facilitators to healthy behaviours at work and co-designing the intervention with the employees, (ii) implementing and evaluating the intervention’s feasibility. Phase I will involve qualitative data collection and analysis through semi-structured, in-depth interviews and co-design group sessions with the employees, while Phase II will involve quantitative measurements of health behaviours through accelerometers and questionnaires. We aim to recruit 100 employees aged 18 and above who own and use mobile devices. Participants will be excluded if they take extended leave for more than 2 weeks or are pregnant or lactating.

Results:

This study was funded in June 2021. As of 7 January 2022, we have obtained ethics approval from the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee. Study recruitment for Phase One is scheduled to begin in March 2022. The study design and procedures will be included in the following study results publication.

Conclusions:

The study will help us to better understand the mechanisms through which digital technologies can promote socially-driven health knowledge and behaviours. This research will also result in a scalable wellness intervention that could be further tailored and expanded to other employers and social groups across the region.