TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE ISSUES FOR A MOBILE APPLICATION TO SUPPORT Literature review

TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE ISSUES FOR A MOBILE APPLICATION TO SUPPORT CHRONIC DISEASE PATIENTS IN SAUDI ARABIA - Literature review Example However, the report indicated that in the next two decades non-communicable diseases in Africa would be the leading cause of deaths based on current projections. Apart from deaths, chronic diseases are also the major cause of disabilities among the population. Chronic diseases have further resulted to economic burden on the state government. In addition to non-communicable diseases, developing countries struggle with management of infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria epidemics. Jeffreys (2011) argued that the prevalence of chronic diseases in these states does not displace the effects of the infectious diseases but enhances further the deteriorative effects of both diseases. This has led to overburdening of the medical budget, which directly affects medical healthcare services. Increased cases of chronic diseases have been closely linked with poorer healthcare services due to inadequacy of funds and strained medical staff that are often overworked and underpaid. In the end, continual prevalence of non-communicable diseases is likely to deter economic growth of developing countries. This is due to diversion of funds to health care systems as opposed to allocation of the funds to income generating projects. There also exits the burden of managing risk factors associated with chronic diseases. According to Defronzo (2004), chronic diseases can be easily controlled by minimization of associated risk factors. The main risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases include the following: tobacco use in any form, intake of high cholesterol, low fruit and vegetable diet, overweight and obesity, alcohol consumption and sedentary lifestyle. Studies by Centre for Disease Control (2014) indicated that 80% of heart diseases, stroke and Type 2 diabetes could be prevented and controlled by avoiding chronic risk factors.