Social Determinants Influencing Internet-Based Service Adoption Among Female Family Caregivers in Bangladesh: A Sociodemographic and Technological Analysis

Abstract

Background

Family caregiving, particularly among females in Bangladesh, is a crucial yet understudied area, especially in terms of internet-based service adoption. Female caregivers face distinct sociocultural and economic challenges that influence their ability to utilize digital services. This study investigates the key factors affecting the adoption of internet-based services among female family caregivers in Bangladesh, addressing a gap in the literature by examining the intersection of gender, caregiving, and technology use.

Objective

The study aims to empirically analyze the social, environmental, and economic factors influencing internet-based service adoption among female family caregivers in Bangladesh.

Methods

A systematic narrative review was conducted to identify relevant individual factors influencing internet-based service adoption among female caregivers in Bangladesh. This review informed the selection of predictor variables for the quantitative survey. The survey was administered to 392 female caregivers using purposive sampling. Data analysis employed advanced machine learning models, including Random Forest, Logistic Regression, Gradient Boosting, and Support Vector Regression. The models were evaluated using performance metrics such as precision, recall, F1-score, and accuracy. Additionally, the feature importance of the best-performing model was assessed using permutation importance and Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) analysis.

Results

The findings indicate that social influences, perceived usefulness, and family support significantly impact the adoption of internet-based services. Higher internet literacy, accessibility, and favorable government policies were associated with increased adoption. Economic factors such as household income and affordability of services also played a crucial role. SHAP analysis revealed that social networks, service reliability, and cost-effectiveness were the most influential factors driving adoption. Younger caregivers and those in urban areas demonstrated higher adoption rates due to better digital literacy and infrastructure.

Conclusion

This study highlights the complex interplay of socioeconomic and environmental factors in shaping internet service usage among female caregivers in Bangladesh. The findings emphasize the need for policies promoting digital literacy, service affordability, and infrastructure development to support caregivers' access to essential online services.