The Cultural Adaption of a Sobriety Support App for Alaska Native and American Indian People: Qualitative Feasibility and...

Course overview

This article discusses the cultural adaptation of a sobriety support smartphone app for Alaska Native and American Indian (ANAI) people. The research focuses on addressing the disproportionate burden of alcohol-related morbidity and mortality experienced by this population. A qualitative study was conducted with ANAI patients and health care providers in south-central Alaska to gather insights and preferences that could guide the development of culturally relevant features and content for the app. Participants endorsed the use of a smartphone app for alcohol self-management, citing anonymity, 24/7 access, and patient choice as key benefits. They also highlighted the need for ANAI- and land-themed design elements, stories from elders, and spiritual resources. The study findings underscore the importance of culturally adapting eHealth interventions to enhance their acceptability and effectiveness for ANAI people, particularly those in rural areas with limited access to treatment services. Future work will focus on implementing these adaptations and evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of the culturally adapted app among ANAI users.