Satisfaction and Acceptability Ratings of a Web-Based Self-help Intervention for Depression: Retrospective Cross-sectional Study From a Resource-Limited Country
Authors: Lara Ma. Asunción , Patiño Pamela , Tiburcio Marcela , Navarrete Laura 
Published: December 2021

Background

Web-based interventions are at an early stage in non–English-speaking low- and middle-income countries, where they remain scarce. Help for Depression (HDep) is one of the few unguided web-based interventions available in Latin America. The results of a use/usability analysis of the original version served as the basis for generating a more user-friendly second version.

Objective

The aim of this study is to explore participants’ satisfaction and acceptability for the second version of HDep.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional design was used. An email invitation to complete a web-based survey was sent to all people who accessed HDep in 2018. The questionnaire included satisfaction and acceptability scales and open-ended questions. Complete questionnaires were retrieved from 191 participants: 35.1% (67/191) from those who visited only the home page (home page users [HPUs]) and 6.47% (124/1916) from those who registered to use the program (program users [PUs]).

Results

In all groups, users experienced high levels of depressive symptoms (189/191, 98.9%; Center for Epidemiological Studies Scale-Depression >16). Moderate levels of satisfaction (HPUs: mean 21.9, SD 6.7; PUs: mean 21.1, SD 5.8; range: 8-32) and acceptability (HPUs: mean 13.8, SD 3.9; PUs: mean 13.9, SD 3.2; range: 5-20) were found in both groups. Logistic regression analyses showed that among HPUs, women were more satisfied with HDep (odds ratio [OR] 3.4, 95% CI 1.1-10.0), whereas among PUs, older respondents (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.08), those with paid work (OR 3.1, 95% CI 2.4-7.6), those who had not been in therapy (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.09-5.98), and those who had not attempted suicide (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.1-11.1) showed higher satisfaction. None of the sociodemographic/mental health variables distinguished the acceptability ratings among HPUs. Among PUs, those with paid work (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1-5.5), those who had not been in therapy (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.3-7.3), those without disability (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.3-6.6), and those who had not attempted suicide (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.0-6.6) showed higher acceptability.

Conclusions

HDep has good levels of satisfaction and acceptability for approximately half of its users, and the information provided by respondents suggested feasible ways to remedy some of the deficiencies. This qualitative–quantitative study from a low- to middle-income, non–English-speaking country adds to existing knowledge regarding acceptance and satisfaction with web-based interventions for depression in resource-limited countries. This information is important for the creation and adaptation of web-based interventions in low- and middle-income countries, where access to treatment is a major concern, and web-based prevention and treatment programs can help deliver evidence-based alternatives. It is necessary to document the pitfalls, strengths, and challenges of such interventions in this context. Understanding how users perceive an intervention might suggest modifications to increase adherence.