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 self-reported 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 to be engaged and to require minimal assistance; nearly half verbally reflected on their drinking or drinking of others. The App has potential for surveys, screening, or health promotion.

Keywords:

• Aboriginal
• Torres Strait Islander
• Indigenous
• alcohol
• measurement
• survey
• acceptability
• feasibility

Acknowledgments

We are grateful for help from the study sites and field research assistants who remain anonymous; Teagan Weatherall, Monika Dzidowska and Summer Loggins from the University of Sydney; and Mira Branezac from NSW Health’s Drug and Alcohol Health Services Library.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) through a Project Grant (#1087192), the Centre of Research Excellence in Indigenous Health and Alcohol (#1117198), and a Practitioner Fellowship for K Conigrave (#1117582). Chikritzhs and Gray are supported by funding from the Australian Government under the Substance Misuse Prevention and Service Improvement Grants Fund. Room and Callinan are supported by funding from the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) and the Australian Research Council (for Callinan, DE180100016).