Background Mental health problems resulting from persecution and forced
migration are very common among refugees and asylum seekers and evolve into a
major public health challenge in hosting societies. Language barriers often
prevent timely access to appropriate health care, leading to chronic
trajectories and abortive social integration. Tools for multilingual screening
and assessment could be of great benefit for this particularly vulnerable
population as well as for policy makers. This study aimed at testing the
reliability, feasibility and usability of the Multi-Adaptive Psychological
Screening Software (MAPSS), a newly developed Audio Computer-Assisted Self-
Interview Software (ACASI) for touchscreen devices, for screening purposes in
a clinical setting. Methods In a randomized cross-over design including both
MAPSS and paper-pencil clinician-administered interviews, 30 treatment-seeking
refugees completed clinical measures and a feasibility questionnaire to rate
the user interface of MAPSS. Five professionals performed given tasks in MAPSS
and completed usability questionnaires for the administration interface.
Results Results showed no differences between the two assessment modalities
with regard to symptom scores. The findings suggest good feasibility and
usability of MAPSS in traumatized refugees. The administration via MAPSS was
significantly shorter than the paper-pencil interview. Conclusion MAPSS may be
a cost-effective, flexible and valid alternative to interpreter-based
psychometric screening and assessment
