Exploring the Perceived Acceptability of a Proposed Mobile Application Designed to Improve Medication Adherence Among People with Schizophrenia and Their Caregivers.

Background: Multiple challenges, including limited technical knowledge, privacy concerns, or financial constraints to afford a smartphone, limit the introduction and implementation of a mobile application-based intervention aimed at supporting medication adherence for people with schizophrenia (SZ) in a low-resource setting. Recognising these barriers, this study aimed to explore the perceived acceptability of a mobile application specifically designed to improve medication adherence among individuals with SZ and their caregivers (CG).

Methods: A total of 64 individuals diagnosed with SZ, who had been in remission for the past six months, and 36 CG, attending the outpatient psychiatry department of a tertiary care teaching institution, were recruited based on predefined selection criteria. The SZ and CG participants were interviewed separately using an adapted version of the Treatment Acceptability and Preference Scale (TAPS), which assessed their perceptions of the appropriateness, suitability, effectiveness, and willingness to use a mobile application. TAPS was administered immediately after describing the proposed features and potential utility of the mobile application designed to improve medication adherence.

Results: There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics between SZ and CG, except that CG were significantly more likely to be employed than individuals with SZ (p = .02). Comparison of TAPS scores between the two groups revealed no significant difference in perceptions regarding the acceptability of the mobile application. However, a greater proportion of CG (63.9%) compared to individuals with SZ (56.25%) considered the mobile application to be appropriate. Correlation analysis indicated that younger age (p = .004) and higher levels of education (p = .01) were significantly associated with higher TAPS scores.

Conclusion: The mobile application was generally acceptable to patients and CG, with younger and more educated participants showing higher acceptability.