This paper describes the process of quantifying the qualitative data in discovering the requirement of designing a
glucose sensor for diabetic patients. A participatory design approach was conducted among stakeholders which
include project managers, developers and users in early phases. Early phase of the design requires a problem
gathering and identifying pain points. The goals and objectives of the designing the product by project members
were evaluated. Users’ expectation was then validated with the stakeholder’s goals. The results showed that there
was a contradiction of goals and need among team members and medical practitioners. The findings provide a
literature on a case study of an industry practice and useful methods to be applied to capture hidden needs and
requirements when designing healthcare products.
Obesity is an emerging public health threat in the elderly population in developing countries. Hence, the Third National Health and Morbidity Survey has assessed 4746 individuals aged 60 years and older recruited through a household survey to determine the prevalence of adiposity using body mass index and waist circumference. The national's prevalence of overweight and obesity in men was 29.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 27.2-31.3) and 7.4% (95% CI = 6.4-8.6), respectively. However, the prevalence decreased with age. The figures in women were 30.3% (95% CI = 28.5-32.1) and 13.8% (95% CI = 12.5-15.2), respectively. The prevalence of abdominal obesity was 21.4% (95%CI = 20.2-22.6), with 7.7% (95% CI = 6.7-9.0) in men and 33.4% (95% CI = 31.4-35.3) in women. Predictors of adiposity include the following: Malay and Indian ethnicity, higher education level, higher household income, from urban area, and being married. In conclusion, adiposity affects about one third of the Malaysian elderly population, especially those of the younger age group, women, and those with higher socioeconomic status.
Study name: National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-2006)