Development and Usability Assessment of a Mobile App (Demensia KITA) to Support Dementia Caregivers in Malaysia: A Study Protocol

Nurul Syaireen A. Rashid (), Xin Wee Chen (), Muhamad Fadhil Mohamad Marzuki, Aseel A. Takshe, Ahmad Okasha, Faridah Maarof and Raudah Mohd Yunus
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Nurul Syaireen A. Rashid: Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sungai Buloh, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor, Malaysia
Xin Wee Chen: Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sungai Buloh, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor, Malaysia
Muhamad Fadhil Mohamad Marzuki: Kedah State Health Department, Simpang Kuala, Jalan Kuala Kedah, Alor Setar 05400, Kedah, Malaysia
Aseel A. Takshe: Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Communication, Arts and Sciences, Canadian University Dubai, Al Safa Street—Al Wasi City Walk Mall, Dubai P.O. Box 17781, United Arab Emirates
Ahmad Okasha: Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Faculty of Communication, Arts and Sciences, Canadian University Dubai, Al Safa Street—Al Wasi City Walk Mall, Dubai P.O. Box 17781, United Arab Emirates
Faridah Maarof: Institutional Research and Planning, Canadian University Dubai, Dubai P.O. Box 17781, United Arab Emirates
Raudah Mohd Yunus: Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sungai Buloh, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor, Malaysia

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 19, 1-14

Abstract: The impact of dementia on caregivers is complex and multi-dimensional. In low- and middle-income settings, caregivers are often left without adequate support, despite their multiple needs. These include health information, caregiving skills, social and emotional support, and access to local resources—all of which can be partially fulfilled by technology. In recent years, mobile apps have emerged and proven useful for caregivers. We found a few existing apps suitable for Malaysian users in terms of affordability and cultural and linguistic compatibility. Our study aims to design a mobile app that suits dementia caregivers in Malaysia and consists of three phases. Phase I is content development that employs Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Nominal Group Technique (NGT) involving field experts. Phase II comprises a mobile app (Demensia KITA) designed in collaboration with a software developer specializing in mobile health apps. Phase III entails testing the usability of the app using the Malay version of the mHealth App Usability Questionnaire (M-MAUQ). This study protocol elaborates on the rigorous steps of designing a mobile app and testing its usability, along with anticipated challenges. Our protocol will provide insight for future researchers, healthcare providers, and policymakers and pave the way for better use of digital technology in the field of aging and caregiving.

Keywords: dementia caregivers; caregiver burden; digital technology in caregiving; dementia mobile app; mobile app usability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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