CoChat
Sign Up
Cited by 11Substance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesMobile Health and mHealth ApplicationsDigital Mental Health Interventions

Student peer mentoring: Feasibility and acceptability of mHealth-based tool for alcohol and substance abuse prevention by peer mentors at a university in Kenya

Open access
Musyoka, Catherine Mawia, Mbwayo, Anne, Donovan, Dennis M., Mathai, Muthoni·2023·PLOS Digital Health
DOI 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000177PMC PMC9931292
Open this paper in CoChat — free accountOpen PDF

Abstract

Objective: The use of mobile health (mHealth)-based interventions for the prevention of alcohol and other psychoactive substances use is an emerging practice for which new evidence is required. This study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a mHealth-based peer mentoring tool for early screening, brief intervention, and referral of students who abuse alcohol and other psychoactive substances. It compared the implementation of a mHealth-delivered intervention to the paper-based practice that is the standard at the University of Nairobi. Methods: A quasi-experimental study using purposive sampling was used to select a cohort of n = 100 (51 experimental, 49 control) first-year student peer mentors on two campuses of the University of Nairobi in Kenya. Data were collected on the mentors’ sociodemographic characteristics as well as the feasibility and acceptability of the interventions by way of, the magnitude of reach, feedback to investigators, referral of cases, and perceived ease of use. Results: The mHealth-based peer mentoring tool scored high with 100% of users rating it as feasible and acceptable. Among the two study cohorts, there were no differences in the acceptability of the peer mentoring intervention. When comparing the feasibility of the peer mentoring practice, actual use of the interventions, and intervention reach, the mHealth-based cohort mentored four mentees for every one mentored by the standard practice cohort. Conclusion: The mHealth-based peer mentoring tool had high feasibility and acceptability among student peer mentors. The intervention provided evidence for the need to expand the availability of screening services for alcohol and other psychoactive substances use among students in the university and promote the appropriate management practices within and outside the university.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This quasi-experimental study evaluated an mHealth-based peer mentoring tool for alcohol and substance abuse prevention among first-year student peer mentors at two University of Nairobi campuses. The mHealth tool was highly acceptable and feasible, and the mHealth cohort reached substantially more mentees than the standard paper-based cohort.

Key findings

  • Acceptability was high in both groups: 100% of the mHealth cohort and 95.9% of the standard-care cohort accepted the intervention, with no significant difference (p = 0.145). Feasibility was rated acceptable by 86.3% of the mHealth cohort and 91.8% of the standard-care cohort (p = 0.374).
  • The mHealth cohort reached 440 mentees versus 100 in the standard-practice cohort; the abstract reports the mHealth cohort mentored four mentees for every one mentored by standard practice, while mean mentees per mentor did not differ significantly (8.62 vs 8.33, p = 0.874).
  • More alcohol and other drug problems were identified in the mHealth cohort: alcohol use 49.1% vs 26%, other drug use 28.4% vs 10%, and need for intervention 40.1% vs 5% (AUDIT).
  • Qualitative themes included opportunities for personal learning, growth, development, enhanced communication skills, life skills, and improved self-awareness among peer mentors.

Methods

  • Quasi-experimental design using purposive sampling of n = 100 first-year student peer mentors (51 mHealth-based, 49 standard paper-and-pen) on two University of Nairobi campuses in Kenya; intervention ran January–July 2019 over 6 months.
  • The mHealth intervention used an Open Data Kit (ODK) Android app programmed with AUDIT and ASSIST V3.0 for screening, brief intervention, and referral; the comparison group used the university’s standard paper-based practice.
  • Outcomes included Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM), Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM), Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM), reach, referrals, and perceived ease of use; quantitative data were analyzed in Stata 14.2, and qualitative data from 42 peer mentors in focus group discussions were analyzed thematically using NVivo.

Limitations

  • Stated by the paper: the study was conducted on two campuses of a single public university in Kenya, so results cannot necessarily be generalized nationally or globally; the campuses taught different courses, so academic challenges and coping related to alcohol and drug use may not be directly comparable.
  • Evident from the text: the study was not randomized, and the mHealth cohort received monthly 2 USD data bundles while the standard-practice cohort received no compensation, which the authors note may have motivated the mHealth mentors.
  • Evident from the text: the abstract reports 100% feasibility and acceptability, while the results table reports 86.3% feasibility for the mHealth cohort; the paper also notes standard-practice mentors may have failed to document all interventions due to the tedium of paper reports.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000177

Cites

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 27 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    Among the two study cohorts, there were no differences in the acceptability of the peer mentoring intervention.

    “Among the two study cohorts, there were no differences in the acceptability of the peer mentoring intervention.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The mHealth-based cohort mentored four mentees for every one mentored by the standard practice cohort.

    “When comparing the feasibility of the peer mentoring practice, actual use of the interventions, and intervention reach, the mHealth-based cohort mentored four mentees for every one mentored by the standard practice cohort.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingown data

    28% of mentees in the mHealth-based intervention cohort had problems with a combination of alcohol and other drugs.

    “at the end of the interventions, up to 49% of the mentees in the mHealth-based intervention cohort presented with alcohol-related problems while 28% had problems with a combination of alcohol and other drugs.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The mean number of mentees reached did not differ significantly between the two groups (p = 0.874).

    “While the mean number of mentees reached did not differ significantly when we compared the two groups (P-value = 0.874)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Peer mentors reported learning life skills including time management, self-control, and self-organization.

    “Moreover, peer mentors reported that they learned life skills including time management, self-control as well as self-organization.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 19
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 34

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The mHealth-based peer mentoring tool had high feasibility and acceptability among student peer mentors, with 100% of users rating it as feasible and acceptable.

    “The mHealth-based peer mentoring tool scored high with 100% of users rating it as feasible and acceptable.”
    • Also stated in: § Conclusion · plain
      “The mHealth-based peer mentoring tool had high feasibility and acceptability among student peer mentors.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Up to 31% of mentees in the mHealth-based intervention cohort and 16% in the standard practice cohort made the initiative to seek help from peer mentors.

    “From these engagements, up to 31% of the mentees in the mHealth-based intervention cohort and 16% in the standard practice cohort made the initiative to seek help from peer mentors.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The resources needed were android smartphones, internet connectivity, and technical training.

    “These resources were: android smartphones, internet connectivity, and technical training.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Comparing the two campuses, there was no significant difference in the gender of students who sought help (p = 0.789).

    “Comparing the two campuses there was no significant difference in the gender of the students who sought help (p-value = 0.789).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    There was a statistically significant difference between the two campuses concerning place of residence, with more peer mentors in the standard practice cohort residing on campus (96%) compared to the mHealth-based cohort (76%), p = 0.020.

    “There was a statistically significant difference between the two campuses concerning the place of residence, with more peer mentors in the standard practice cohort who resided on campus (96%) compared to those in the mHealth-based cohort (76%), p = 0.020.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Acceptability of the peer mentoring programs was high in both groups and did not differ significantly between the mHealth-based group (100%) and the standard care group (96%).

    “The results (see Table 3) show that the acceptability of the peer mentoring programs was high in both groups and did not differ significantly between the mHealth-based group (100%) and the standard of care (96%) group.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Most mentees were in their second year of study.

    “Most of them were in their second year of study and were single.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    In the mHealth-based campus, 87% of mentees were publicly sponsored compared to 84% on the standard practice campus.

    “In the mHealth-based campus, 87% of the mentees were publicly sponsored compared to 84% on the standard practice campus.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Overall, more males than females participated, with males accounting for 54% of the peer mentors.

    “Overall, there were more males, accounting for 54% of the peer mentors.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    The mean age of the peer mentors was 19.4 years (std = 2.3).

    “The mean age of the peer mentors was 19.4 (std = 2.3)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    The majority of mentees in both groups were males.

    “The results, presented in Table 2, show that the majority of the mentees in both groups were males.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Mean age did not differ significantly between the two campuses.

    “and it did not differ significantly between the two campuses.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Most mentees were single.

    “Most of them were in their second year of study and were single.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Over 70% of mentees on both campuses resided in campus residences.

    “Over 70% of the mentees on both campuses resided in campus residences.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Of the 100 peer mentors, 51 were from the mHealth-based intervention campus.

    “Of these, 51 were from the mHealth-based intervention campus.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The prevalence of alcohol and substance use among students in Kenya is high, with ranges between 20-67%.

    “The prevalence of alcohol and substance use among students in Kenya is high, with ranges between 20–67% [3–5].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [3] Musyoka, 2020, PLOS ONE Alcohol and Substance Use Among First-year Students at the University of Nairobi, Kenya: Prevalence and Patterns, PLoS One

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [4] RK Boitt, 2016, the Prevalence of Alcohol Abuse Among Egerton University Students in Njoro- Kenya, Rev Bras Ergon

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [5] S Ndegwa, 2017, Factors associated with alcohol use in university students, African J Clin Psychol

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Alcohol and substance use among college students in Kenya is a growing public health problem.

    “In Kenya, alcohol and substance use among college students is also a growing public health problem [2].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [2] J Ngure, 2019, Level of risk in substance use among undergraduate students in Kenya: Implications for prevention intervention, African J Alcohol Drug Abus

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    TAM is a behavioural model developed by Davis in 1989 to predict user acceptance and use of new information technology based on perceived ease of use and usefulness.

    “TAM is a behavioural model which was developed by Davis in 1989 to predict the user acceptance and use of new information technology based on its perceived ease of use and usefulness [33,34].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [33] V Venkatesh, 1996, A model of the antecedents of perceived ease of use: Development and test, Decis Sci source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [34] FD Davis, 1989, Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology, MIS Q Manag Inf Syst source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    The mHealth and standard care cohorts differed significantly in residence (p=0.020).

    “| Residence | | | | 0.020 |”
    • Also stated in: § 1. Social demographic characteristics of peer mentors · plain
      “| Campus | 39 (76.5%) | 47 (95.9%) | 86 (86.0%) | |”
    • Also stated in: § 1. Social demographic characteristics of peer mentors · plain
      “| Private | 5 (9.8%) | 1 (2.0%) | 6 (6.0%) | |”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Students who opted not to take part in the study suffered no discrimination and continued to receive all normal university Alcohol and Drug Abuse prevention program services.

    “Those students who opted not to take part in this study suffered no discrimination as they continued to receive all the normal university Alcohol and Drug Abuse prevention program services.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Kenyatta National Hospital and University of Nairobi Ethical Committee and licensed by NACOSTI.

    “The protocol was reviewed and approved by the Kenyatta National Hospital and the University of Nairobi Ethical Committee (KNH-UoN ERC) P98/02/2018 and licensed by NACOSTI, No: NACOSTI/P/20/5582.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Implementation outcome measures are essential for monitoring and evaluating the success of implementation efforts.

    “The Implementation outcome measures are essential for monitoring and evaluating the success of implementation efforts [31], they are based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) [32].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [31] E Proctor, 2011, Outcomes for implementation research: Conceptual distinctions, measurement challenges, and research agenda, Adm Policy Ment Heal Ment Heal Serv Res source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductown data

    Informed written consent was obtained from all study participants.

    “Explanations were done to all study participants and their informed written consent was obtained.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    Completed data forms were checked for completeness and consistency, and incompletely filled forms were dropped.

    “Completed data forms were coded and uploaded into the EpiData 3.1 software; they were then checked for completeness and consistency. Incompletely filled forms were dropped at this point.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductreasoning

    No identifiers were used in the mHealth app to enhance confidentiality and ensure honest answers; participants' study identifiers were generated using an inbuilt algorithm.

    “To enhance confidentially and ensure that all student mentees gave honest answers, no identifiers were used; participants’ study identifiers were generated using an inbuilt algorithm.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Alcohol and substance use has been documented to start and escalate when students transition from one stage of their education to another, especially during matriculation and school holidays.

    “Furthermore, alcohol and substance use has been documented to start and escalate when students transition from one stage of their education to another, especially during matriculation and school holidays [43].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [43] V Ross, 2008, Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Among First-year College Students, Infofacts Resour

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationcitation

    The results of this study are similar to the findings of the systematic review of what works in mHealth-based interventions, which found many positive outcomes associated with mHealth as an innovative technology to deliver health services.

    “The results of this study are similar to the findings of the systematic review of what works in mHealth-based interventions which found that there are many positive outcomes associated with mHealth as an innovative technology to deliver health services [41].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [41] CB Aranda-Jan, 2014, Systematic review on what works, what does not work and why of implementation of mobile health (mHealth) projects in Africa, BMC Public Health source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    This study was done on two campuses of a single public university in Kenya; the results cannot necessarily be generalizable to the national or global university community.

    “This study was done on two campuses of a single public university in Kenya, the study results, therefore, cannot necessarily be generalizable to the national or global university community.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning

    mHealth-based interventions provide an opportunity to rapidly expand access and availability of evidence-based alcohol and substance abuse interventions for youth.

    “mHealth-based interventions provide an opportunity to rapidly expand access and availability of evidence-based alcohol and substance abuse interventions for youth.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Studies on substance use have shown that college students initiate alcohol and marijuana use most frequently while in college.

    “Studies on substance use have shown that college students initiate alcohol and marijuana use most frequently while in college [42].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [42] Rachel N. Lipari and Beda Jean-Francois. a Day in the Life of College Students Aged 18 To 22: Substance Use Facts. 2016;0–6.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The Big Brothers Big Sisters study in the USA reported a successful large-scale mentoring program that showed evidence of effectiveness and success in mentoring to reduce substance use among adolescents.

    “The Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) study in the USA reported a successful large-scale mentoring program that showed evidence of effectiveness and success in mentoring to reduce substance use among adolescents [16].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [16] Hufnagel GL, Blasiar D. Lessons in Mentoring: A Guide to Working with Youth, Second Edition [Internet]. University of Oklahoma CCE (January 1, 2001); 2001. 85 p. https://search.proquest.com/docview/9809856?accountid=149134.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The mHealth-based intervention may have been more sensitive and better than the standard paper-based tool at identifying more specialized problems.

    “This may be an indication that the mHealth-based intervention was more sensitive and better than the standard paper-based tool at identifying these more specialized problems.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Peer mentors' reports of mentees' alcohol and substance use problems accurately reflect the mentees' actual problems.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The campuses under study did not teach similar courses, meaning academic challenges and coping concerning harmful use of alcohol and drugs, and therefore the feasibility-acceptability of alcohol and drug abuse prevention interventions, are not similar enough to allow direct correlation.

    “Furthermore, the campuses under study did not teach similar courses which means that the academic challenges experienced by students on these campuses and how they cope with them, concerning harmful use of alcohol and drugs and therefore the feasibility-acceptability of alcohol and drug abuse prevention interventions, are not similar enough to allow for a direct correlation.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Current substance use intervention programs delivered via face-to-face interactions between youth and a counsellor reach fewer students; only 10-15% of adolescents receive the interventions they need for their substance use disorders.

    “Moreover, these findings affirm the evidence that current substance use intervention programs delivered via face-to-face interactions between the youth and a counsellor reach fewer students; with only 10–15% of adolescents receiving the interventions they need for their substance use disorders [40].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [40] CC Cagande, 2014, Treatment of adolescent substance use disorders, Adolesc Med State Art Rev

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The results have positive implications for strengthening interventions on substance use prevention through use of a popular platform with wider reach among university students and will serve as a reference point for future comparative studies and scale-up interventions.

    “Furthermore, the results of this study have positive implications for strengthening interventions on substance use prevention through the use of a popular platform with a wider reach, among university students and will serve as a reference point for future comparative studies and scale-up interventions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    A systematic review of the literature provided evidence that the use of mHealth, particularly text messaging, was an acceptable, affordable and effective way to deliver messages about reducing alcohol consumption to the young adult population.

    “A systematic review of the literature provided evidence that the use of mHealth, particularly text messaging, was an acceptable, affordable and effective way to deliver messages about reducing alcohol consumption to the young adult population [20].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [20] A Hutton, 2020, mHealth Interventions to Reduce Alcohol Use in Young People: A Systematic Review of the Literature, Compr Child Adolesc Nurs source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Interpretationreasoning

    These study findings represent a significant positive step in the prevention of substance use among college students.

    “These study findings represent a significant positive step in the prevention of substance use among college students.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    mHealth-based strategies have been reported to play a crucial role in early diagnosis and provision of continuing care for students with alcohol and SUD.

    “mHealth-based strategies also have been reported to include other advantages such as the potential to play a crucial role in early diagnosis and provision of continuing care for students with alcohol and SUD [24,25].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [24] DM Kazemi, 2017, A Systematic Review of the mHealth Interventions to Prevent Alcohol and Substance Abuse, J Health Commun source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [25] Macharia P, Muluve E, Lizcano J, Cleland C, Cherutich P, Kurth A. Open data kit, a solution implementing a mobile health information system to enhance data management in public health. In: 2013 IST-Africa Conference and Exhibition, IST-Africa 2013. 2013.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Harmful use of alcohol and other psychoactive substances among university students poses both short-term and long-term harm including missed classes and poor academic performance.

    “Furthermore, the harmful use of alcohol and other psychoactive substances among university students poses both short-term and long-term harm including missed classes and poor academic performance [8].”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [8] T Mekonen, 2017, Substance Use as a Strong Predictor of Poor Academic Achievement among University Students, Psychiatry J source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Overall, the study results indicate that although peer mentoring is acceptable to college students, its actual performance is dependent on the mode of delivery.

    “Overall, these study results indicate that, although the practice of peer mentoring is acceptable to college students, its actual performance is dependent on the mode of delivery.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: The two campuses are sufficiently comparable for observed differences in outcomes to be attributed to the mHealth-based versus standard practice intervention.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The evidence generated from this study provides arguments in favour of mHealth-based interventions and the model can be useful in designing similar interventions.

    “The evidence generated from this study provides arguments in favour of mHealth-based interventions and the model can be useful in designing similar interventions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Premisecitation

    The development of technological-based models that facilitate early detection, diagnosis, and effective behavioural therapies targeting alcohol and substance use disorders is a research priority.

    “The development of technological-based models that facilitate the early detection, diagnosis, and of effective behavioural therapies targeting alcohol and substance use disorders (SUDs) is a research priority [28].”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [28] HR White, 2020, Changes in alcohol consumption among college students due to covid-19: Effects of campus closure and residential change, J Stud Alcohol Drugs source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    mHealth-based interventions can be used in combination with face-to-face interventions or as stand-alone interventions, therefore being more versatile compared to paper-based interventions.

    “At the same time, mHealth-based interventions can be used in combination with face-to-face interventions or as stand-alone interventions, therefore, being more versatile compared to paper-based interventions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationcitation

    These study findings are similar to those by Delacruz et al. [38], who reported that peer mentors play a significant role in shaping new sets of skills, knowledge, and understanding.

    “These study findings are similar to those by Delacruz et al. [38], who reported that peer mentors play a significant role in shaping new sets of skills, knowledge, and understanding.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [38] JI Campbell, 2017, The Technology Acceptance Model for Resource-Limited Settings (TAM-RLS): A Novel Framework for Mobile Health Interventions Targeted to Low-Literacy End-Users in Resource-Limited Settings, AIDS Behav source

      Not checked in the free run.

44 of 44

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The need for psychoactive substance prevention and intervention services was higher on the selected study campuses than on other campuses.

    “It was, therefore, presumed that the need for psychoactive substance prevention and intervention services was higher than on other campuses.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Current face-to-face models of delivering alcohol and substance use interventions require physical meetings, are time-consuming and expensive, and are difficult to implement among college students.

    “The current face-to-face models of delivering these intervention strategies have faced challenges as they require the physical meeting of the young adult and a counsellor; they are also time-consuming and expensive; which makes them difficult to implement among college students.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The two campuses are sufficiently comparable for observed differences in outcomes to be attributed to the mHealth-based versus standard practice intervention.

    “The study results demonstrated an advantage of the mHealth-delivered intervention over the standard paper-based intervention.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Peer mentors' reports of mentees' alcohol and substance use problems accurately reflect the mentees' actual problems.

    “The peer mentors using mHealth-based intervention were more likely to identify alcohol use problems and other psychoactive substance use problems at (49% and 28%) respectively, as compared to the standard practice (26%, 10%)”
4 of 4

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Abstract reports 100% feasibility, but Table 3 reports 86.3%

    Major

    The abstract says all mHealth users rated the tool feasible, whereas Table 3 shows that 44 of 51 (86.3%) accepted its feasibility.

  • Citation [38] names different authors from its reference entry

    Minor

    The discussion attributes reference [38] to Delacruz and colleagues, but entry 38 lists Campbell and colleagues.

  • Citation [27] names different authors from its reference entry

    Minor

    The discussion attributes reference [27] to Marsch and Borodovsky, but entry 27 lists Benz and colleagues.

3 of 3

The citation lists haven’t been fetched yet

References 34 · Cited by 11

Research works printed but not linked: 8

  1. J Ngure, 2019, Level of risk in substance use among undergraduate students in Kenya: Implications for prevention intervention, African J Alcohol Drug Abus, VOL1, 34
  2. AM Arria, 2019, Addressing College drinking and drug use, Choice Rev Online, 50, 50-5064
  3. NIAAA, 2021, College Drinking, Natl Inst Alcohol Abus Alcohol
  4. Hufnagel GL, Blasiar D. Lessons in Mentoring: A Guide to Working with Youth, Second Edition [Internet]. University of Oklahoma CCE (January 1, 2001); 2001. 85 p. https://search.proquest.com/docview/9809856?accountid=149134.
  5. B Sánchez, 2017, One falls, we all fall: How boys of colour develop close peer mentoring relationships, 8691
  6. World Health Organization, 2011, mHealth: New horizons for health through mobile technologies, Observatory, 3, 66
  7. Macharia P, Muluve E, Lizcano J, Cleland C, Cherutich P, Kurth A. Open data kit, a solution implementing a mobile health information system to enhance data management in public health. In: 2013 IST-Africa Conference and Exhibition, IST-Africa 2013. 2013.
  8. C Hartung, Open Data Kit: Tools to Build Information Services for Developing Regions

Authors
Musyoka, C. M., Mbwayo, A., Donovan, D. M., & Mathai, M.
Affiliations
  • University of Nairobi (KE)
  • University of Washington (US)
Corresponding author
Musyoka, Catherine Mawia
ORCID
Venue
PLOS Digital Health
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Published
2023-01-12
Volume
2
Issue
1
Pages
e0000177
ISSN
2767-3170 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1371/journal.pdig.0000177
PMC
PMC9931292
OpenAlex
W4315710005
Semantic Scholar
6ad4ef1379de04eac90aa1155f3b6d70679aad17
Cited by
11
References
34
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 4
FWCI
2.20
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • PLOS Digital Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • Carnegie Corporation of New York (Grant No--G-19-57145)
  • Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Grant No:54100113)
  • Wellcome Trust (107768/Z/15/Z])
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
Keywords
peer mentoring, mobile health, alcohol prevention, substance use prevention, screening, brief intervention and referral, university students, feasibility, acceptability, peer mentors, University of Nairobi

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-06.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-06.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review