Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Education

Advisor

Donna B. Gee

Abstract

Mobile technology use provides an opportunity for the self-management of health among adolescents, serving as a lifestyle intervention tool to promote well-being and attenuate chronic conditions. However, little is known about how parents and teachers perceive how adolescents with chronic illness use mobile technology. This basic qualitative study aimed to explore teachers’ and parents’ perceptions regarding the use of mobile technology by adolescents who have diabetes in Kenya. This study’s conceptual framework was the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with six teachers and eight parents from two counties in Kenya. The themes that emerged from the coding analysis included general technology use, technology affordability, technology ease of use and acceptance, technology influence, and technology support. Findings indicated that parents and teachers perceive that increased mobile technology use among adolescents could help in diabetes management in Kenya. Also, with reliable and affordable internet service, there is potential for the use of mobile technology to strengthen health services and help prevent or manage diabetes among young people in Kenya. Findings may be used to identify the obstacles to diabetes management that adolescents face, thereby promoting healthier individuals.

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