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Groen G, Jörns-Presentati A, Dessauvagie A, Seedat S, van den Heuvel LL, Suliman S, Grobler G, Jansen R, Mwape L, Mukwato P, Chapima F, Korhonen J, Stein DJ, Jonker D, Mudenda J, Turunen T, Valtiņš K, Beinaroviča A, Grada L, Lahti M. Development of a Mobile Application for Detection of Adolescent Mental Health Problems and Feasibility Assessment with Primary Health Care Workers. Issues Ment Health Nurs 2022; 43:1046-1055. [PMID: 36205922 DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2022.2124003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: There has been a sharp increase in the use of digital health interventions in global health, particularly mobile health applications, in recent years. The extreme shortage of health care providers trained in mental health screening and intervention in low- and middle-income countries raises questions about the applicability of mobile applications to deliver these services due to their accessibility and availability. This exploratory paper describes the development and feasibility assessment of a mobile screening application for the detection of mental disorders among adolescents in Zambia and South Africa. Methods: Eighty-two health care workers (HCW) working in primary care evaluated the acceptability and practicality of the mobile screening application after receiving brief training. The evaluation included questions from the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) as well as open-ended questions. Results: The acceptability of the screening app was high and study participants were positive about using the app in routine care. Problems with internet connectivity, and time and staff constraints were perceived as the main barriers to regular use. Conclusion: HCW in primary care were able and willing to use a mobile screening app for the detection of mental health problems among treatment-seeking adolescents. Implementation in clinical practice needs to be further evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunter Groen
- Department of Social Work, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Anja Dessauvagie
- Department of Social Work, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Soraya Seedat
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,South African Medical Research Council/Stellenbosch, University Genomics of Brain Disorders Research Unit, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Leigh L van den Heuvel
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,South African Medical Research Council/Stellenbosch, University Genomics of Brain Disorders Research Unit, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sharain Suliman
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.,South African Medical Research Council/Stellenbosch, University Genomics of Brain Disorders Research Unit, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Gerhard Grobler
- Clinical Unit, Psychiatry, Steve Biko Academic Hospital and Department of Psychiatry, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Ronelle Jansen
- School of Nursing, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Lonia Mwape
- Department of Nursing, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | - Fabian Chapima
- Department of Nursing, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Joonas Korhonen
- Nursing Science Department, Health and Well-being, Turku University of Applied Sciences, Turku, Finland
| | - Dan J Stein
- SA MRC Unit on Risk & Resilience in Mental Disorders, Department of Psychiatry & Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Deborah Jonker
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - John Mudenda
- Medical Education, Lusaka Apex Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia
| | | | | | | | | | - Mari Lahti
- Nursing Science Department, Health and Well-being, Turku University of Applied Sciences, Turku, Finland.,Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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Self-harm with suicidal and non-suicidal intent in young people in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review. BMC Psychiatry 2020; 20:234. [PMID: 32408896 PMCID: PMC7222461 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-020-02587-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Self-harm, whether attributed to suicidal or non-suicidal motives, is associated with several poor outcomes in young people, including eventual suicide. Much of our understanding of self-harm in young people is based on literature from Europe (particularly, the UK), North America, and Australia. We aimed to synthesise the available evidence on prevalence, the commonly reported self-harm methods, correlates, risk and protective factors, and reasons for self-harm, in adolescents (aged 10-25 years) in sub-Saharan Africa. METHOD We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, African Journals OnLine, and African Index Medicus for records from 1950 through August 2019, without language restrictions. We supplemented the database searches by searching relevant portals for postgraduate theses, reference harvesting, contacting authors for unpublished studies, and hand searching relevant print sources. We applied narrative synthesis to the evidence. RESULTS Seventy-four studies from 18 sub-Saharan African countries met the inclusion criteria. The median lifetime prevalence estimate was 10·3% (interquartile range [IQR] 4·6% - 16·1%); median 12-month prevalence estimate was 16·9% (IQR: 11·5% - 25·5%); median 6-month prevalence estimate was 18·2% (IQR: 12·7% - 21·8%); and the median 1-month prevalence estimate was 3·2% (IQR: 2·5-14·8%). Studies from Western sub-Saharan Africa reported the highest 12-month prevalence estimates (median = 24·3%; IQR = 16·9% - 27·9%). Clinical samples commonly reported overdose, whereas self-cutting was most commonly reported in non-clinical samples. Academic failure, sexual, emotional, and physical abuse, romantic relationship problems, family conflict, depression, and previous self-harm were identified as key correlates of self-harm. No study reported protective factors against self-harm. CONCLUSION Variation in estimates was explained by small sample sizes and variation in definitions and measures used. Exploration of associations, risks and protective factors was based upon concepts and measures derived from high income countries. More detailed and culturally sensitive research is needed to understand the context-specific risks and protective factors for self-harm in adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa.
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