| Popis: |
BACKGROUND Internet-based screening tools offering tailored outputs are rapidly expanding in use and sophistication. The emerging literature on digital health screening tools could benefit from data outlining the types of users who have previously accessed interventions and screening tools. OBJECTIVE The main objective of this manuscript is to highlight the various profiles of users who seek assistance from digital health screening tools. A second objective is to highlight the opportunity to deliver brief interventions that contain tailored outputs destined to promote positive health behavior change and motivate users to seek assistance from their health care professional. METHODS Data were extracted and analyzed from CheckYourCannabis.net (CYC), CheckYourDrinkingU.net (CYD-U), CheckYourGambling.net (CYG), CheckYourSmoking (CYS), and the Web-Based Depression & Anxiety Test (WB-DAT). The study included analysis of data from users who did not self-identify as healthcare professionals from November 19, 2007 to April 17, 2019 (4,168 days). RESULTS Over the study period 212,900 interventions were completed. 49% (n=160,231) identified as female, and the average reported age was 31. The average ASSIST score for CYC users was 16.5 (range 0-27+), the average AUDIT score for CYD-U users was 8.4 (range 0-40), the average PGSI score for problem gamblers was 12.0 (0-8+), and the average Fagerström score for CYS users was 4.6 (range 0-8). 37% (n=220) of CYC users indicated that they smoked cannabis daily, and 80% (n=7,562) of CYD-U users reported drinking more than five drinks on one occasion within the past few months. The most frequent type of 13 gambling behaviors reported by CYG users was instant win tickets or daily lottery tickets (76%, n=1800), and lottery tickets, raffles or fund-raising tickets (76%, n=1790). The most frequent diagnosis for WB-DAT users was Generalized Anxiety Disorder (46%, n=90,092). Other frequencies of behaviors reported by users are presented and discussed. CONCLUSIONS Many individuals with addictive behaviors and mood and anxiety disorders are drawn to digital health interventions. There were gender-specific differences in the utilization of the mood and anxiety disorders tool compared to the substance abuse brief interventions. As the interventions in this study were not advertised, and the populations accessing them were self-seeking, there may be an opportunity to reach many more users with well-promoted programs. |
