Speakers
Description
Background:
Mental health disorders among young adults are a growing public health concern globally, with a disproportionately high burden in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where access to mental health services remains limited. University students are particularly vulnerable to depression, anxiety, stress, and poor psychological well-being. Digital health technologies offer a promising approach to improving access to mental health support through scalable, affordable, and user-centered interventions. However, evidence regarding the usability, acceptability, and real-world engagement of such platforms in African settings remains limited.
Objectives:
To evaluate the usability, acceptability, and user engagement patterns of the meWell digital health and wellness platform among university students in Nairobi, Kenya, and to describe baseline mental health and well-being characteristics of platform users.
Methods:
A mixed-methods descriptive observational study will be conducted among undergraduate and postgraduate students aged 18 years and above at Strathmore University, Nairobi. Approximately 404 participants will be recruited and provided access to the meWell platform for eight weeks. Baseline assessments will include socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, depression symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), anxiety symptoms using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and psychological well-being using the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. Platform usability will be assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS), while acceptability will be evaluated through structured questionnaires measuring perceived usefulness, satisfaction, and intention for continued use. User engagement will be objectively measured through platform analytics, including login frequency, session duration, feature utilization, and retention rates. Qualitative data will be collected through focus group discussions to explore user experiences, barriers, facilitators, and recommendations for improvement. Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while thematic analysis will be applied to qualitative findings.
Expected Results:
The study is expected to generate evidence on the usability, acceptability, and engagement of a comprehensive digital mental health platform among university students. It is anticipated that findings will identify key factors influencing adoption and sustained use, while providing insights into the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and reduced well-being among participants.
Conclusion:
This study will contribute locally relevant evidence on digital mental health innovation in Kenya and support the integration of technology-enabled mental health services within university and primary healthcare settings. The findings may inform policy, platform design, and future implementation of scalable digital mental health interventions in LMICs.
Keywords: Digital Mental Health, Telepsychiatry, mHealth, Usability, Acceptability, User Engagement, University Students, Mental Health, Kenya, Health Technology Assessment.