Behavioral intentions toward a mobile mental health screening and support tool suite for healthcare professionals in Ethiopia

BMC Health Serv Res. 2026 Jun 5. doi: 10.1186/s12913-026-14897-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mobile mental health applications (MMHAs) enable healthcare professionals to efficiently screen, identify, and refer individuals with mental health conditions, while also providing access to evidence-based educational resources. Although MMHAs are increasingly recognised as promising tools for improving mental healthcare delivery, little is known about healthcare professionals’ intentions to use these applications in routine clinical practice. Evidence on the factors influencing healthcare professionals’ intended use of MMHAs also remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to assess healthcare professionals’ intentions to use MMHAs and associated factors.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 427 health professionals, with data collected online using quota sampling. The single population proportion formula was used to calculate the sample size. Behavioral intention to use MMHAs was assessed using a modified e-Delphi study. Associated factors were identified through bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to determine the strength and significance of associations.

RESULTS: Overall, 63% (95% CI: 58.5%-67.7%) of participants expressed an interest in using mobile mental health applications. Age (35-44 years) (AOR = 2.73, 95% CI: 1.390-5.367), perceived usefulness (AOR = 4.89; 95% CI: 2.765-8.661), favorable attitudes (AOR = 2.37; 95% CI: 1.375-4.089), and supportive subjective norms (AOR = 2.06; 95% CI: 1.035-4.134) were factors associated with intentions to use MMHAs.

CONCLUSION: Overall, 63% of participants expressed intention to use MMHAs to support mental health screening, referral, and access to evidence-based resources. Age, perceived usefulness, favorable attitudes, and subjective norms significantly predicted intention to use. These findings highlight the importance of improving perceived usefulness through practical training and demonstration of clinical benefits, promoting positive attitudes through user-centred app design, and strengthening supportive professional and organisational environments to improve subjective norms. Additionally, tailored capacity-building initiatives aimed at various age groups may boost adoption and engagement with MMHAs in routine clinical practice.

PMID:42249444 | DOI:10.1186/s12913-026-14897-1