JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Despite the notable proliferation of smoking cessation mobile apps, to date, no validated, Spanish-language, culturally tailored mobile intervention exists for Spanish-speakers in the United States.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to conduct formative research to inform the adaptation of an evidence-based smoking cessation intervention developed for Spanish-speaking Hispanics/Latinos from a printed format into a mobile app.

Methods:

Guided by a user-centered approach and in collaboration with product design experts, wireframes were developed to present the app’s layout and functionality. Three focus groups were conducted over Zoom with Spanish-speaking individuals who currently smoke to assess their prior mobile app experience, attitudes towards mobile apps, and feedback on app architecture and design. Two independent reviewers coded the focus group data and identified emerging themes.

Results:

The app wireframes included four navigation buttons on the home screen to organize and deliver evidence-based intervention content: Home (Inicio), Learn (Aprende), My Coach (Mi Couch), and Profile (Perfil). Different wireframe designs were generated in distinct color palettes. Focus group participants (N=13) were 54% women, had a mean age of 56 (SD=14.9), 39% had education ≤ high school, and 31% were married/cohabitating. All participants smoked daily, a mean of 14 cigarettes per day (SD=7.8), for 32 years (SD=16.9), and 54% smoked ≤30 minutes of waking. Participants reported using social media, news, shopping, and gaming apps, but few used mobile health (mHealth) apps. Salient barriers for app use included worries regarding privacy breaches and fears about misinformation. Desired features included community-building elements, personalization, reward badges, knowledge checks, and audiovisual presentation of content within the app. Participants disliked having a countdown to quit date, preferring an “I quit” button to initiate monitoring progress. They also viewed sharing progress with support networks as a source of unwanted pressure, though a few saw it as motivational. Overall, participants liked the app design and indicated willingness to use it.

Conclusions:

This formative research provides critical insights into preferences related to the development of culturally tailored mobile smoking cessation interventions for Spanish-speaking individuals. Key findings highlighted enthusiasm for a smoking cessation app and the importance of including features that foster social connection and allow for personalization.