The adoption of e-health tools for digital mental health services in a South African higher education institution

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate factors influencing the intention to adopt e-health tools for accessing digital mental health services among university staff at a selected South African higher education institution. A quantitative case study was conducted at a single university in Cape Town, South Africa. Data was collected from 348 respondents using online questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. The results revealed that stable internet access at home did not significantly influence the intention to adopt e-health tools (p =0.698, ? = -0.020), but concerns about internet costs were a barrier (p = 0.011, ? = 0.131). University staff who used multiple devices (p = 0.014, ? = 0.136) and preferred e-health tools over traditional face-to-face services were more likely to adopt them (p < 0.001, ? = 0.319). Moreover, social media usage (p < 0.766, ? = 0.016), searching for digital mental health services (p <0.107, ? = 0.085), and awareness of free university services (p < 0.307, ? = -0.058), DMHS providers (p < 0.529, ? = 0.038), and fourth industrial revolution technologies (p < 0.106, ? = -0.091) did not significantly influence adoption intentions. The study contributes to sustainable digital mental health support for university staff in South Africa. The results could potentially be applicable to similar contexts globally. Thus, helping to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 3 of the United Nations of ensuring good health and wellbeing.

Keywords: {'name': 'e-health'}, {'name': 'digital mental health services'}, {'name': 'higher education institutions'}, {'name': 'south africa'}

Authors & affiliations

Rhodrick Nyasha Musakuro
Affiliation not supplied

Deposited references

Supplied references, not a list of publications citing this article.

Aleksynska, M., Berg, J., Foden, D., Johnston, H. E. S., Parent-Thirion, A., & Vanderleyden, J. (2019). Working conditions in a global perspective. International Labour Organization.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2017.11.003

DOI: 10.1177/2382120519901275

DOI: 10.1002/smi.2520

Bless, C., Higson-Smith, C., & Kagee, A. (2006). Fundamentals of social research methods: An African perspective (4th ed.). Juta.

Bryman, A., & Bell, E. (2011). Research methodology: Business and management contexts. Oxford University Press.

Brynard, P. A., & Hanekom, S. X. (2006). Introduction to research in management–related fields. Van Schaik Publishers.

DOI: 10.1007/s10802-020-00715-7

DOI: 10.2307/249008

DOI: 10.2196/19284

DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2010.11.007

DOI: 10.1177/20552076231216559

Gillwald, A., Mothobi, O., & Rademan, B. (2018). The state of ICT in South Africa. Policy Paper no. 5, Series 5: After Access State of ICT in South Africa. Retrieved from https://www.africaportal.org/publications/state-ict-south-africa/

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijlp.2019.101498

DOI: 10.1186/s12888-015-0706-4

DOI: 10.1177/2055207618770861

DOI: 10.1007/s10879-020-09460-w

DOI: 10.1037/str0000131

DOI: 10.1177/1524839911405850

DOI: 10.1016/j.procs.2022.09.081

DOI: 10.1177/0840470418818583

United Nations. (2020). Policy brief: COVID-19 and the need for action on mental health. https://unsdg.un.org/sites/default/files/2020-05/UN-Policy-Brief-COVID-19-and-mental-health.pdf

DOI: 10.2307/30036540

World Health Organization. (2001). Strengthening mental health promotion. Geneva: World Health Organization.