User-Centered Design of a Gamified Mental Health App for Adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa: Multicycle Usability Testing Study

JMIR Formative Research, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 7, P. e51423 - e51423

Published: Nov. 30, 2023

Background There is an urgent need for scalable psychological treatments to address adolescent depression in low-resource settings. Digital mental health interventions have many potential advantages, but few been specifically designed or rigorously evaluated with adolescents sub-Saharan Africa. Objective This study had 2 main objectives. The first was describe the user-centered development of a smartphone app that delivers behavioral activation (BA) treat among rural South Africa and Uganda. second summarize findings from multicycle usability testing. Methods An iterative agile design approach used co-design ensure it engaging, culturally relevant, usable target populations. array qualitative methods, including focus group discussions, in-depth individual interviews, participatory workshops, testing, extensive expert consultation, iteratively refine throughout each phase development. Results A total 160 Uganda were involved process. built be consistent principles BA supported by brief weekly phone calls peer mentors who would help users overcome barriers engagement. Drawing on formative work, we applied narrative game format develop Kuamsha app. taught using storytelling techniques elements. stories developed collaboratively sites included decision points allowed shape narrative, character personalization, in-app points, notifications. Each story consists 6 modules (“episodes”) played sequential order, covers different skills. Between modules, encouraged work activities report their progress mood as they completed these activities. results testing showed acceptable terms Conclusions uniquely delivered via interactive tailored African Ugandan contexts. Further studies are currently underway examine intervention’s feasibility, acceptability, efficacy reducing depressive symptoms.

Language: Английский

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Digital psychiatry in low-and-middle-income countries: New developments and the way forward

World Journal of Psychiatry, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(3), P. 350 - 361

Published: March 19, 2024

Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear the greater share of global mental health burden but are ill-equipped to deal with it because severe resource constraints leading a large treatment gap. The remote provision services by digital means can effectively augment conventional in LMICs reduce Digital psychiatry has always lagged behind high-income countries, there have been encouraging developments last decade. There is increasing research on efficacy psychiatric interventions. However, evidence not adequate conclude that interventions invariably effective LMICs. A striking development rise mobile smartphone ownership LMICs, which driven use technologies deliver services. An innovative optimize task-shifting, involves delivering healthcare community settings using non-specialist professionals. Emerging from shows possible tools train workers ensure psychosocial they efficacious. Despite these promising developments, many barriers such as service costs, underdeveloped infrastructure, lack trained professionals, significant disparities access impede progress To overcome barriers, should address contextual factors influencing delivery services, collaboration between different stakeholders, focus reducing divide.

Language: Английский

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Patient Adherence to a Real-World Digital Asynchronous Weight-Loss Program in Australia That Combines Behavioural and GLP-1 RA Therapy: A Mixed Methods Study

Published: May 1, 2024

Increasingly large numbers of people are using digital weight-loss services (DWLSs) to treat overweight or obesity. Although it is widely agreed that modalities improve access care in general, obesity stakeholders remain concerned many DWLSs not comprehensive sustainable enough deliver meaningful health outcomes. This study adopted a mixed-methods approach assess why and after how long patients tend discontinue Austral-ia’s largest DWLS, program combines behavioural pharmacological therapy under the guidance multidisciplinary team. We found cohort who commenced Eucalyptus DWLS between January June 2022 (n=5604), mean adherence was 171.2 (±158.2). Inadequate supply patient’s desired Glucose-like peptide-1 receptor agonist medication most common reason for discontinuation (43.7%), followed by cost (26.2%), result dissatisfaction (9.9%), service (7.2%). Statistical tests revealed ethnicity age both had significant effect on patient adherence. These findings suggest have potential comprehensive, continuous care, but models need upon one observed Australia maximise

Language: Английский

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Public disclosures of mental health problems on social media and audiences’ self-reported anti-stigma effects

Health Promotion International, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 40(1)

Published: Jan. 17, 2025

Abstract Public disclosures of mental health problems on social media represent a potentially powerful informal avenue for increasing literacy and reducing public stigma in relation to people with problems. We investigated whether the audience reported any reduction their own toward after exposure disclosures. also examined self-reported was associated characteristics members, disclosers disclosure messages. used Prolific obtain convenience sample (N = 803) adults who had been exposed disclosure. administered an online survey participants conducted series logistic regressions identify associations between disclosure-related reduction. Our findings showed that certain aspects messaging process appeared be These included explicit diagnoses from disclosers, particular message themes such as psychosocial causes ill health, positive echoing comments other users. In addition, members greater levels empathy toward, perceived similarity identification tended report reduced stigma. contribute evidence base underpinning how, when which have potential They can further help inform future promotion practices aiming mitigate health-related at population level. Future research may focus more dynamics match audiences effects

Language: Английский

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Digital interventions for mental health care

Elsevier eBooks, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 261 - 273

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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mHealth for Mental Health

Published: March 28, 2025

Language: Английский

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Mothers Time: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effects of a Community‐Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Intervention on Postpartum Mental Health and Family Planning in Northwest Ethiopia

Studies in Family Planning, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 56(1), P. 9 - 39

Published: March 1, 2025

Abstract Depression and anxiety symptoms are associated with increased unmet need for family planning (FP) postpartum, yet solutions promoting the integration of mental health into FP service settings remain scarce. The aims this study were to quantitatively examine immediate longer term effects participation in a group‐based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention called Mothers Time on (1) depression anxiety, (2) use modern method, (3) intermediate FP‐related factors among postpartum women Ethiopia. Building from lessons learned during feasibility study, we implemented cluster randomized controlled design, structured interviews delivered before (baseline), immediately following (endline), fourxst months after implementation (follow‐up). A total 302 recruited 10 clusters northwest In comparison control where participants received standard care, showed significantly greater reductions both baseline follow‐up. Modern also more as compared Results suggest that holistic services consider can reduce support fulfilling their reproductive intentions.

Language: Английский

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Barriers to and enhancement of the utilization of digital mental health interventions in low-resource settings: Perceptions of young people in Uganda

Digital Health, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Introduction Digital mental health (DMH) enhances access to healthcare, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where investment healthcare is low. However, utilization among young people (YP) This study aimed explore YP's perceptions of the barriers using DMH interventions low-resource settings. Methods A qualitative descriptive approach was used. Six face-to-face focus group discussions were conducted with 50 YP from nine universities Uganda. The median age 24 years (range 21–25 years) respondents drawn diverse academic programmes majority being medical students (54%). thematic used interpret results. Results Three themes identified data including services, perceived utilization, suggestions for enhancement Most had a positive attitude towards DMH. included fear stigma, affordability, inequitable access, privacy confidentiality concerns, app-related challenges. Access use can be enhanced through public engagement, creating awareness, training, affordable interventions. Conclusion deemed important extending YP, systems traditional services are not readily available. several factors hinder equitable There need long-term digital technologies.

Language: Английский

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Characterizing Experiences With Hikikomori Syndrome on Twitter Among Japanese-Language Users: Qualitative Infodemiology Content Analysis

JMIR Infodemiology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 5, P. e65610 - e65610

Published: Feb. 24, 2025

Background Hikikomori syndrome is a form of severe social withdrawal prevalent in Japan but also worldwide psychiatric issue. Twitter (subsequently rebranded X) offers valuable insights into personal experiences with mental health conditions, particularly among isolated individuals or hard-to-reach populations. Objective This study aimed to examine trends firsthand and secondhand reported on between 2021 2023 the Japanese language. Methods Tweets were collected using academic research application programming interface filtered for following keywords: “#引きこもり,” “#ひきこもり,” “#hikikomori,” “#ニート,” “#脱ひきこもり,” “#不登校,” “#自宅警備員.” The Bidirectional Encoder Representations From Transformers language model was used analyze all Japanese-language posts collected. Themes subthemes then inductively coded in-depth exploration topic clusters relevant first- hikikomori syndrome. Results We 2,018,822 tweets, which narrowed down 379,265 (18.79%) tweets from January 2023. After examining output by model, 4 topics determined be aims. A total 400 most highly interacted these manually annotated inclusion exclusion, 148 (37%) 89 unique users identified as experiences. Of 71 (48%) accounts, 77 (52%) accounts. Within reports, themes included seeking support, anecdotes, debunking misconceptions, emotional ranting. giving advice, advocacy against negative stigma hikikomori. Conclusions provides new web-based regarding specific Japanese-speaking Although not yet found diagnostic manuals classifying disorders, rise lifestyles consequence COVID-19 pandemic has increased importance discussions spaces. results indicate that media platforms may represent space those experiencing engage interaction, stigmatization, participation community can maintained through barrier minimized sense anxiety.

Language: Английский

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The influencing factors of stigma towards people with mental illness among nursing students: a mixed‐method systematic review

Medical Education Online, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 29(1)

Published: July 6, 2024

The stigma of nursing students towards people with mental illness (PMI) creates significant barriers to diagnosis, treatment, and recovery for those PMI. It can also have a impact on the future career choices in field psychiatry. Current research has found various influencing factors, including personal characteristics educational influences. However, comprehensive analysis that encompasses all aspects is lacking. aim study was conduct convergent mixed‐method systematic review synthesize factors PMI according Framework Integrating Normative Influences Stigma (FINIS) at micro, meso, macro levels. PubMed, Web Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, CINAHL PsycINFO were searched from 1990 31 December 2023. reference lists included literature further checked identify potentially relevant articles. Two authors independently screened titles, abstracts, full-text articles extracted data. Study quality assessed by two using Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT). A total 4865 initially retrieved, 73 these included. results suggested influenced meso At each FINIS level, most frequent are characteristics, treatment system media images. Numerous interconnected exert an influence among students. Our be used facilitators students' provide supporting information interventions designed reduce this stigma.

Language: Английский

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