93 Acceptability and Usability of Tablet-Based Neuropsychological Tests among South African and Ugandan Adolescents With and Without HIV

• Published in: Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society 2023-11, Vol.29 (s1), p.495-496
• Main Authors: Ferraris, Christopher M, Dunayev, Rebecca, Kanaan, Nour, Kirsch, Courtney E, Morrison, Corey, Asiedu, Nana, Tsapalas, Daphne, Santoro, Anthony F, Phillips, Nicole J, Hoare, Jacqueline, Nanteza, Angel, Gumikiriza-Onoria, Joy L, Musiime, Victor, Dirajlal-Fargo, Sahera, Robbins, Reuben N
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescents; Computers; HIV; Human immunodeficiency virus; Motor task performance; Neuropsychology; Poster Session 05: Neuroimaging | Neurophysiology | Neurostimulation | Technology | Cross Cultural | Multiculturalism | Career Development; Short term memory; Smartphones; Teenagers; Teleneuropsychology/Technology; Usability
• ISSN: 1355-6177; 1469-7661
• DOI: 10.1017/S1355617723006410

Objective:Neuropsychological (NP) tests are increasingly computerized, which automates testing, scoring, and administration. These innovations are well-suited for use in resource-limited settings, such as low- to middle- income countries (LMICs), which often lack specialized testing resources (e.g., trained staff, forms, norms, equipment). Despite this, there is a dearth of research on their acceptability and usability which could affect performance, particularly in LMICs with varying levels of access to computer technology. NeuroScreen is a tablet-based battery of tests assessing learning, memory, working memory, processing speed, executive functions, and motor speed. This study evaluated the acceptability and usability of NeuroScreen among two groups of LMIC adolescents with and without HIV from Cape Town, South Africa and Kampala, Uganda.Participants and Methods:Adolescents in Cape Town (n=131) and Kampala (n=80) completed NeuroScreen and questions about their use and ownership of, as well as comfort with computer technology and their experiences completing NeuroScreen. Participants rated their technology use -comfort with and ease-of-use of computers, tablets, smartphones, and NeuroScreen on a Likert-type scale: (1) Very Easy/Very Comfortable to (6) Very Difficult/Very Uncomfortable. For analyses, responses of Somewhat Easy/Comfortable to Very Easy/Comfortable were collapsed to codify comfort and ease. Descriptive statistics assessed technology use and experiences of using the NeuroScreen tool. A qualitative question asked how participants would feel receiving NeuroScreen routinely in the future; responses were coded as positive, negative, or neutral (e.g., “I would enjoy it”). Chi-squares assessed for group differences.Results:South African adolescents were 15.42 years on average, 50.3% male, and 49% were HIV-positive. Ugandan adolescents were 15.64 years on average, 50.6% male, and 54% HIVpositive. South African participants were more likely than Ugandan participants to have ever used a computer (71% vs. 49%; p