Acceptability and feasibility of a computer-based application to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians describe their alcohol consumption

Abstract

We examined acceptability and feasibility of a tablet application ('App') to record selfreported alcohol consumption among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Four communities (1 urban; 3 regional/remote) tested the App, with 246 adult participants (132 males, 114 females). The App collected a) completion time; b) participant feedback; c) staff observations. Three research assistants were interviewed. Only six (1.4 %) participants reported that the App was 'hard' to use.Participants appeared engaged, to require minimal assistance; and nearly half verbally reflected on their drinking or drinking of others. The App has potential for surveys, screening or health promotion.

Asking about the last four drinking occasions on a tablet computer as a way to record alcohol consumption in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians: a validation

“…Aboriginal field research assistants handed the tablet computer to participants, with brief guidance, then stood to one side, in case there were any challenges. Individuals with no prior computer contact were able to use the App without assistance [29]. The App is designed to work ‘offline’ (without access to the internet) and data are synchronised at the end of each working day to a secure encrypted server at the University of Sydney.Alcohol consumption…”

Short screening tools for risky drinking in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians: modified AUDIT-C and a new approach

“…The App is able to detect 93% of those who were found to be at short-term risk of harms in a clinical interview conducted by an Aboriginal health professional (specificity: 70%) [12]. In this testing in regional/remote South Australia and urban Queensland, the App was also found to be highly acceptable [16]. Participation in the survey and its built in tailored brief intervention on drinking was found to prompt reflection on drinking in up to half the participants, based on spontaneous comments to the research assistants [16].…”

“…In this testing in regional/remote South Australia and urban Queensland, the App was also found to be highly acceptable [16]. Participation in the survey and its built in tailored brief intervention on drinking was found to prompt reflection on drinking in up to half the participants, based on spontaneous comments to the research assistants [16].…”

“…This approach is likely to capture irregular or intermittent patterns of drinking better than tools which assume a regular frequency of drinking [12]. The App also provides a visual and interactive way for individuals to indicate what they drink—selecting from photographs of alcohol products, container types; and indicating fullness of containers and sharing of alcohol [16]. The App includes adapted versions of AUDIT-1 and AUDIT-3 (AUDIT-1m; AUDIT-3m visual [AUDIT-3mV]).…”

“…While the Grog Survey App provides an acceptable [16] and valid [12] measure of drinking among Indigenous Australians, it took on average 10 min to administer. In both clinical settings and surveys there is a need for short, simple, validated screens for unhealthy alcohol use.…”