Changes In Dietary Habit And Physical Activity Among The Diabetic Patients Of Bangladesh During Covid-19

Introduction

This report is devoted to the critical evaluation of two research articles: "Changes in dietary habit and physical activity among the diabetic patients of Bangladesh during COVID-19: A cross-sectional study" written by Appleton et al. in 2018 and "Infant formula feeding practices and the role of advice and support: An exploratory qualitative study" conducted by Jahan et al. in 2023. The main goal is to assess the strengths and weaknesses of this research using certain critical evaluation techniques. This study will also explore the research's ethical issues before concluding with a succinct evaluation of the papers' overall quality.

Tool selection

For paper 1

It used the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) technique for qualitative research to conduct a critical analysis of the Appleton et al. (2018) study on newborn formula feeding patterns. With the use of CASP, one can assess the study's research strategy, data-gathering techniques, participant selection, and analysis to offer a thorough appraisal of its advantages and disadvantages (Long, French, & Brooks, 2020).

For paper 2

It has decided to use the Critical Appraisal Checklist for Cross-Sectional Studies from the Joanna Briggs Institute in the instance of the Jahan et al. (2023) study on changes in food practices and physical activity among diabetes patients during COVID-19. This checklist is useful for assessing cross-sectional research since it enables systematic consideration of the study (Jun et al., 2021).

Critical appraisal

For paper 1

According to an evaluation of the Appleton et al. (2018) study on baby formula feeding habits made using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) technique for qualitative research, it has notable qualities and a few areas where it might be improved. This study's concise description of the research purpose and methodology is one of its major qualities. The authors laid a strong framework for the study by clearly articulating their goal of examining baby formula feeding behaviors and the function of guidance and support. This clarity improves the study's overall transparency by making it easier for readers to comprehend the goal and scope of the investigation. Additionally, the decision to use semi-structured interviews as the primary data collecting method was well-considered and a good strategy for examining the participants' complex opinions and experiences with infant formula feeding. This approach enables in-depth investigation of unique experiences and yields rich qualitative data (Williams, Boylan, & Nunan, 2020). The researchers show that they made a deliberate, well-informed decision that is consistent with the qualitative nature of their study by choosing semi-structured interviews. The research also gives comprehensive participant characteristics, which provide important background data on the participants. Demographic data, such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status, have been incorporated in the study to boost its credibility and to help readers consider potential impact variables on baby formula feeding practices. This openness about participant data adds to the overall reliability of the study. The report does have several significant flaws, though, which demand attention .First off, there is little data available on researcher reflexivity. Reflexivity, which involves self-awareness and acknowledging the researcher's effect on data collection and interpretation, is a crucial component in qualitative research. It is critical to comprehend how the study may have been affected by the backgrounds, viewpoints, and prejudices of the researchers. The lack of a reflexivity discussion raises concerns about possible bias sources in the study process. Additionally, the study's sample size is rather tiny. Although qualitative research frequently uses lower sample sizes than quantitative studies, it is nevertheless important to be aware of the possible drawbacks of this. This transparency about member information adds to the general unwavering quality of the review. The report has a few huge imperfections, however, which request consideration. Most importantly, there is little information accessible on scientist reflexivity. Reflexivity, which includes mindfulness and recognizing the scientist’s impact on information assortment and translation, is an essential part in subjective exploration. It is basic to fathom what the review might have been meant for by the foundations, perspectives, and biases of the scientists. The absence of a reflexivity conversation raises worries about conceivable predisposition sources in the review cycle. Also, the review’s example size is fairly small. Albeit subjective examination habitually utilizes lower test sizes than quantitative investigations, it is by the by essential to know about the potential downsides of this. The generalizability of results might be hampered by the little example size and may not sufficiently address the scope of sentiments and encounters around the utilization of child equation. The example size choice ought to have been legitimate by the creators, and any possible repercussions of this choice ought to have been incorporated. The article additionally doesn’t sufficiently address possible inclinations and requirements.

The generalizability of results may be hampered by the small sample size and may not adequately represent the range of opinions and experiences around the use of baby formula. The sample size selection should have been justified by the authors, and any potential repercussions of this decision should have been included. The article also does not adequately address potential biases and constraints. Whether they are connected to participant selection, data collection, or analysis, biases that may have affected the study must be publicly acknowledged by researchers. In addition, a thorough assessment of the limitations aids in placing the results into context and gives a more realistic picture of the study's reach and applicability. The study's weaknesses are just briefly discussed. There may be other factors that impacted the study's findings that are not fully addressed, even though the sample size and geographic restrictions are made apparent. The study by Appleton et al. (2018) offers a useful investigation on newborn formula feeding behaviors. Its advantages include the precise participant characteristics, the suitable use of semi-structured interviews, and a clear explanation of the study purpose and technique. A more complete examination of researcher reflexivity, evaluation of sample size justification, and a thorough admission of potential biases and limits are all opportunities for improvement. By addressing these issues, the study's methodological rigor and general quality would be improved

For paper 2

In their study from 2023, Jahan et al. investigate how diabetes patients in Bangladesh changed their eating and exercise patterns in response to the COVID-19 epidemic. The research demonstrates strengths and potential improvement areas using the Joanna Briggs Institute's Critical Appraisal Checklist for Cross-Sectional Studies. This study's development of a precise research question and aim is one of its main advantages. The authors want to ascertain how eating practices and levels of physical activity among diabetes patients have been impacted by the COVID-19 epidemic. This clearly stated research topic offers a narrowly focused framework for the investigation, assisting in the methodical gathering and analysis of data. Another admirable component of the study is the choice of a cross-sectional design. This design is a good fit for the goal of the research since it may be used to examine prevalence or relationships at a specific point in time. The researchers can take a snapshot of the condition among diabetes patients during the pandemic by using a cross-sectional technique, giving them invaluable insights into the immediate effect. Additionally, the study's sampling strategy shows resilience. The authors choose every nth participant from a list using a systematic sampling procedure to ensure a representative sample. This technique improves the generalizability of the results to the larger community of diabetes patients in Bangladesh while reducing the possibility of selection bias. This study's data analysis procedure is also a strength. The authors use relevant statistical techniques, such as inferential tests and descriptive statistics, to examine the gathered data. This methodical approach to data analysis makes sure that the conclusions are the result of a careful and organized procedure, increasing the validity of the research. But there are some restrictions that must be understood. First, recollection bias might be a problem for the study. Participants self-reported the information, therefore there is a chance that their memories of their eating patterns and levels of physical activity contain errors or omissions. This possible bias could affect how accurate the study's findings are. The research is also missing data on non-response rates. Because people who choose not to participate could have different traits or behaviors from those who do, non-response might provide a source of bias. A description of the non-response rates would have given important information about the sample's representativeness. The study might also benefit from a more thorough examination of known and unknowable possible causes of bias. Although the study gives a broad summary of the methodology, a more in-depth investigation of potential biases, such as social desirability bias or selection bias, would have improved the study's openness and objectivity. There isn't much discussion of possible confounding variables here. This plainly expressed research subject offers a barely engaged structure for the examination, aiding the calculated assembling and investigation of information. One more splendid part of the review is the decision of a cross-sectional plan. This plan is ideal for the objective of the exploration since looking at commonness or connections at a particular moment might be utilized. The specialists can take a depiction of the condition among diabetes patients during the pandemic by utilizing a cross-sectional strategy, giving them significant bits of knowledge into the prompt impact. Also, the review’s examining system shows versatility. The creators select each nth member from a rundown utilizing a precise inspecting technique to guarantee a delegate test. This method works on the generalizability of the outcomes to the bigger local area of diabetes patients in Bangladesh while diminishing the chance of choice predisposition. This study’s information examination methodology is likewise a strength.

The study does not go into great detail about other factors like socioeconomic status or comorbidities that may affect eating preferences and exercise levels. The study by Jahan et al. (2023) provides important new information on the adjustments in food practices and physical activity levels among diabetes patients in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its advantages include the development of a precise research topic, a suitable cross-sectional design, a methodical sampling strategy, and careful data analysis. However, the study's methodological rigor and general excellence might be improved by considering potential recollection bias, non-response rates, and a more complete explanation of potential causes of bias.

Ethical issues

For paper 1

Given the delicate nature of the subject – baby feeding habits – informed consent and confidentiality are the main ethical concerns in the Appleton et al.’s (2018) investigation. Although it is mentioned in the report that participants provided their informed permission, there are no specifics on how anonymity was maintained. It can be discussed in a detailed manner. In qualitative research, participant privacy is crucial, especially when talking about individual habits and experiences with infant feeding. The information provided for such matter is very personal and sensitive. Every participant permission and taking care of that privacy is the most important issue associated with such researches. Lack of a thorough justification for confidentiality safeguards prompts worries about the possibility of breach and participant identification, which might discourage open replies and reduce the study's overall quality.

For paper 2

In the research by Jahan et al. (2023), ethical concerns mainly center on informed permission and potential damage brought on by the release of private health information. These two factors are very important in the case of primary research studies. Data protection is also a crucial factor for this research study. Each and every information received from the participant must be safeguard to protect their privacy. The study emphasizes getting participants' informed consent, but it is sparse on discussing ways to reduce possible damage from disclosing personal health information, especially among diabetes patients. To ensure that participants are sufficiently informed about the study's aim and potential hazards, as well as that their privacy and well-being are protected throughout the research process, it is imperative to address these issues more critically. The ethical foundation of the study might have been reinforced by a more thorough examination of harm reduction techniques. These mentioned ethical issues must be properly handled while doing any reasearch for the topics discussed.

Summary of the appraised papers

For paper 1

The study conducted by Appleton et al. (2018) provides insightful qualitative information on newborn formula feeding patterns. It does a great job of outlining its study objectives and using the right data gathering techniques, particularly semi-structured interviews. According to the study, mothers' newborn formula-feeding habits are influenced by a variety of factors. These factors include details from the formula tin and marketing from formula producers, especially in regarding the formula type selection. The study, however, does not adequately address potential biases and constraints. To increase the overall methodological rigor and openness, a more thorough explanation of these factors is required.

For paper 2

Important information on food and physical activity changes among diabetes patients during the COVID-19 pandemic is included in the Jahan et al. (2023) research. Rice, bread, meat, fish, and eggs consumption decreased during the pandemic, although cereal, milk, and potato/starchy vegetable consumption climbed. The frequency of consuming tea or coffee also decreased, whereas soft drink consumption remained unchanged. During the pandemic, respondents' levels of physical activity reduced. This study found that  the dietary and physical activity changes among the study group, which not only compromise the diabetic patients' ability to control their metabolism but also pose a serious risk to their general health. Its study issue is clearly specified, and the data analysis is strong. The study might, however, improve its quality by addressing potential biases and giving thorough information on non-response rates. Both studies provide insightful contributions to their domains, but they could use more methodological rigor and openness.

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