In today's digital age, mobile mental health apps have emerged as a promising solution for individuals struggling with depression and anxiety. However, there is a significant gap in the availability of culturally adapted mental health apps designed specifically for the Ethiopian setting. This study aimed to assess the usability and user experience of a locally developed 'Mental Health Solution App' among individuals with depression and anxiety in Ethiopia.
Background
Mental disorders are a pressing global health issue, with depression and anxiety being two of the top causes of years lived with disability. In Ethiopia, mental illnesses are often overlooked, leading to significant barriers to accessing appropriate treatment and care. Technology-based interventions offer a promising alternative by providing on-demand psychological support, particularly in settings where in-person care is unavailable.
Objective
The objective of this study was to determine the usability of the 'Mental Health Solution App' among individuals with depression and anxiety in Ethiopia.
Methods
A convergent mixed-methods design was used to evaluate the usability and user experience of the culturally adapted app. The quantitative strand involved a cross-sectional survey using the Amharic version of the Mobile App Usability Questionnaire (MAUQ), while the qualitative strand comprised in-depth interviews analyzed via reflexive thematic analysis.
Results
The survey involved 370 participants, with 158 suffering from major depressive disorders and 212 suffering from anxiety disorders. The results showed high satisfaction with the app's ease of use, interface satisfaction, and usefulness. Four themes were identified: user experience, feature liking, benefit, and suggestions.
Conclusion
The 'Mental Health Solution App' demonstrated excellent usability in terms of ease of use, interface satisfaction, and usefulness. Mood tracking and crisis support were the app's most preferred features. However, navigating emergency first aid during moments of distress can be challenging. The findings indicate that a customized app designed for Ethiopian culture and language could help individuals suffering from depression and anxiety within an educated, urban cohort receiving mental health care in Ethiopia.
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- [Background]
Mental disorders are a significant global health issue, contributing to around 8 million deaths annually. According to the 2021 global disease burden report, depression and anxiety are among the top six causes of years lived with disability within non-communicable diseases [1]. Between 2010 and 2021, disability-adjusted life year rates increased most substantially for depressive disorders (16·4% [11·9–21·3]) and anxiety disorders (16·7% [14·0–19·8]). Similarly, Sub-Saharan Africa had a high prevalence of depressive disorders, with approximately 4540 cases per 100,000 people [2].