Abstract
"Depression Monitor" is an Apple smartphone app was developed for this study and published on September 2012. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. The questionnaire uses in the app is Patient Health Questionnaire "PHQ-9". The app collected data about demographics and depression was measured at two recommended cut-off points. This study is a comparison study between two countries, New Zealand and Singapore.
The number of app downloads (after 4 months) was 442. Of these, 279 (63.1%) were from Singapore (with 54.4% response rate) and 163 (36.8%) were from New Zealand (with 81.6% response rate). The mean age was (29.8, SD 8.3), 63.2% of users were female and 45.6% of users were (high school) educated level. 84.2 % of users were not previously diagnosed with depression.
The prevalence of participants with higher probability of depression in the sample for those who were not previously diagnosed with depression were (60.4%) at PHQ-9 cut-off 11, and (45.4%) at cut-off 15. There is a significant difference between New Zealand and Singapore in positive depression in our study in cut off 11 and cut off 15 and also in the health risks behavior. About 62% of participants with higher probability of depression at cut-off 15 from New Zealand have answered "Nearly every day" to the suicidal ideation statement that indicates a significant suicidal potential compared to 53% from Singapore. In terms of mental co-morbidities 9% participants with higher probability of depression at cut-off 15 from New Zealand have reported risky controlled substance use, and 22% risky drinking behavior, compared to 0% & 9% respectively in Singapore.
This study examined the feasibility of depression screening in general population via smartphone, and identified the willingness of users to download and use the app & large proportion of participants with potential depression that were not previously diagnosed.