Andrew Tomita|Ka Muzombo Kandolo|Ezra Susser|Jonathan Burns
Use of short messaging services to assess depressive symptoms among refugees in South Africa: Implications for social services providing mental health care in resource-poor settings
University of KwaZulu-Natal|Columbia University|Durban University of Technology|Columbia University|University of KwaZulu-Natal
introduction studies developing nations assessed use short messaging services sms identify psychological challenges refugee populations study aimed assess feasibility smsbased methods screen depression risk among refugees south africa attending mental health services compare reliability acceptability facetoface consultation methods 153 refugees enrolled baseline 135 available followup assessments cohort study depression symptomatology assessed using 16item quick inventory depressive symptomatology qids instrument results nearly everyone possessed mobile phone utilized sms furthermore low incomplete item response qids high perceived ease interacting via sms service providers supported feasibility method fair level reliability facetoface smsbased screening methods significant difference preference rating two methods conclusion despite potential implementation barriers network delayphone theft depression screening using sms may viable refugee mental health services lowresource settings