A systematic review of features and content quality of Arabic mental mHealth apps

Noorah Ibrahim S. Alnaghaimshi; Noorah Ibrahim S. Alnaghaimshi; Mona S. Awadalla; Scott R. Clark; Mathias Baumert

doi:10.3389/fdgth.2024.1472251

Frontiers in Digital Health (Dec 2024)

A systematic review of features and content quality of Arabic mental mHealth apps

Noorah Ibrahim S. Alnaghaimshi,
Noorah Ibrahim S. Alnaghaimshi,
Mona S. Awadalla,
Scott R. Clark,
Mathias Baumert

Affiliations

Noorah Ibrahim S. Alnaghaimshi: Discipline of Biomedical Engineering, School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
Noorah Ibrahim S. Alnaghaimshi: Department of Computer and Information Science, Al-Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah, Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia
Mona S. Awadalla: Specialist Community Mental Health Services, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, SA, Australia
Scott R. Clark: Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
Mathias Baumert: Discipline of Biomedical Engineering, School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2024.1472251
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 6

Abstract

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IntroductionAnxiety and depression are major causes of disability in Arab countries, yet resources for mental health services are insufficient. Mobile devices may improve mental health care delivery (mental m-Health), but the Arab region's mental m-Health app landscape remains under-documented. This study aims to systematically assess the features, quality, and digital safety of mental m-Health apps available in the Arab marketplace. We also contrast a set of recommended Australian apps to benchmark current strategies and evidence-based practices and suggest areas for improvement in Arabic apps.MethodsFifteen Arab country-specific iOS Apple Stores and an Android Google Play Store were searched. Apps that met the inclusion criteria were downloaded and evaluated using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) and the Mobile App Development and Assessment Guide (MAG).ResultsTwenty-two apps met the inclusion criteria. The majority of apps showed no evidence of mental health experts being involved in the app design processes. Most apps offered real-time communication with specialists through video, text, or audio calls rather than evidence-based self-help techniques. Standardized quality assessment showed low scores for design features related to engagement, information, safety, security, privacy, usability, transparency, and technical support. In comparison to apps available in Australia, Arabic apps did not include evidence-based interventions like CBT, self-help tools and crisis-specific resources, including a suicide support hotline and emergency numbers.DiscussionIn conclusion, dedicated frameworks and strategies are required to facilitate the effective development, validation, and uptake of Arabic mental mHealth apps. Involving end users and healthcare professionals in the design process may help improve app quality, dependability, and efficacy.

Published in Frontiers in Digital Health

ISSN: 2673-253X (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Public aspects of medicine; Science: Mathematics: Instruments and machines: Electronic computers. Computer science
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/digital-health#

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