Development and usability of a mobile tool for identification of depression and suicide risk in Fiji

Technol Health Care. 2021;29(1):143-153. doi: 10.3233/THC-202132.

Abstract

Background: In Fiji and other South Pacific island countries, depression and suicide are of great concern. There is a pressing need to rapidly identify those at risk and provide treatment as soon as possible.

Objective: Design, develop and test a mobile health tool that enables CHNs to easily and rapidly identify individuals at risk for suicide and depression and provide guidelines for their treatment.

Methods: Using Android Studio, a native app called ASRaDA was developed that encoded two validated scales: Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D), and Suicide Behavior Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R). The usability of the app was measured using the System Usability Scale by community health nurses in Fiji.

Results: Out of a maximim possible of 100 on SUS, ASRaDA was scored at 86.79.

Conclusion: Mobile tools with high usability can be designed to aid community health nurses in Fiji and Pacific island counties rapidly identify those at risk for depression and suicide.

Keywords: Mental health; community health nurses; global health; screening; usability.

MeSH terms

  • Depression / diagnosis
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Fiji / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Mobile Applications*
  • Suicide*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires