Accepted for/Published in: JMIR mHealth and uHealth
Date Submitted: Dec 1, 2019
Date Accepted: Dec 2, 2021
Classification of Smoking Cessation Applications: A quality review and content analysis
ABSTRACT
Background:
Many people use applications(apps) for smoking cessation, and these apps have been shown to be effective by several studies. However, no study has classified these apps and few studies have analyzed characteristics that may determine their quality.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to analyze the content and quality of smoking cessation apps by type and identify characteristics affecting their overall quality.
Methods:
Two app marketplaces (‘App Store’ and ‘Google Play’) were searched; the search was completed by May 2020. The search terms used were ‘Stop smoking’, ‘Quit smoking’ and ‘Smoking cessation’. The apps were categorized into three types (combined, multi-functional, and informational). The tailored guideline of Clinical Practice Guideline for Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence was utilized for evaluating app content (or functions) and the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) was used to evaluate their quality. The chi-square test was performed about general characteristics and one-way ANOVA was performed for MARS analysis. To identify general features of apps that could be associated with the MARS and content scores, multiple regression analysis was done. All analyses were performed using SAS software (ver. 9.3).
Results:
Among 1,543 apps, there were a total of 104 apps which met the selection criteria of the study. A total of 104 apps were categorized as a combined type (n = 44), functional type (n = 31), or informational type (n = 29). A large amount of content specified in the guideline was included in the apps, most notably in combined type, followed by multi-functional and informational type; the MARS scores followed the same order (3.64, 3.26, and 3.0, respectively). Regression analysis showed that the sector in which the developer was situated, and the feedback channel with developer had a significant impact on both the content and MARS scores. In addition, ‘problematic’ apps, such as those made by unknown developers or copied, and single-function apps were shown to have a large market share.
Conclusions:
The combined type had higher-quality content and functionality than other types. The developer type and feedback channel with developer had a significant impact on the overall quality of the apps. In addition, problematic apps and single-function apps were shown to have a large market share. Smoking cessation apps should be developed taking into account the problems identified in this study.
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