Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Apr 4, 2022
Date Accepted: Nov 22, 2022
Evaluating user preferences, comprehension and trust in apps for environmental health hazards: A qualitative case study
ABSTRACT
Background:
The environmental health app, AirRater, was developed in 2015 in Australia to provide information on multiple atmospheric health hazards in near real-time. App users track environmental conditions and personal symptoms to enable behaviours that protect health in response to environmental hazards.
Objective:
This study aimed to develop detailed insights into user perceptions of engagement, comprehension and trust in AirRater to inform the future development of environmental health apps.
Methods:
42 AirRater users were recruited from three locations in Australia to participate in semi-structured interviews. Participants discussed app features and functionality, as well as their understanding of, and trust in, the information provided by the app. A pre-interview questionnaire collected demographic data. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results:
Of the participants, most used and valued the interactive environmental hazard features especially the maps, location settings and hazard alerts. Most found information in the app easy to understand, and many trusted the data presented. Participants indicated that customizing and streamlining the app would enhance its usability by the provision of meteorological information (e.g. wind speed/direction, air pressure, UV rating, humidity), functionality enhancements (e.g. forecasting, additional alerts, the inclusion of health advice), and clarification of existing information (e.g. symptom triggers) including the capacity to download personal summary data for a specified period.
Conclusions:
Key elements for the optimal development of environmental health app design are identified, including streamlining, capacity for users to customize, use of real time data, visual cues, credibility, and accuracy of data. Iterative collaboration between developers, environmental agencies, and users, is likely to promote better functional design, user trust in the data and ultimately better population health outcomes.
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