Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting
Date Submitted: Feb 25, 2022
Date Accepted: Jun 22, 2022
“Evaluating Breastfeeding App Features: A Content Analysis"
ABSTRACT
Background:
While several studies examine the use of breastfeeding apps, less is known about the types of features found on these apps, and what factors might influence app ratings.
Objective:
To characterize breastfeeding apps, assessing whether apps with higher versus lower user ratings differ in their tracking and non-tracking features, and analyze whether the type and number of features predict the user star ratings and higher versus lower ratings.
Methods:
Using a cross-sectional design, a convenience sample of breastfeeding apps was culled from the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android). Content analysis of breastfeeding apps (N = 82) was conducted using a schema of 87 items, and then compiled into nine topical indices. Analysis consisted of descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U tests, Spearman’s rank correlations, linear regression, and binary logistic regression.
Results:
On average users rated breastfeeding apps a 4.4 out of 5 stars. Higher rated apps offered more tracking features on breastfeeding, bottle feeding, solid foods, infant health, and infant care than lower rated apps. Linear regression shows for each additional breastfeeding and solid foods feature we can expect to see a 27% and 35% increase respectively in user star ratings. In the logistic regression as the solid foods features increase, the odds that the app is higher rated (> 4.5 stars) increases by 1.58 times.
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest user ratings are driven in part by tracking features, specifically related to breastfeeding and solid foods. Breastfeeding apps have the potential to promote and support breastfeeding among users. Clinical Trial: N/A
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