Bhat Bhargav, Nayak Prajna Pramod, Vasthare Ramprasad, Singhal Deepak Kumar
Department of Public Health Dentistry, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
F1000Res. 2024 Nov 22;12:1413. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.142038.2. eCollection 2023.
Given the high prevalence of tobacco use, India presents a significant challenge in tobacco control. Yet, the support received for tobacco cessation is suboptimal. Hence, the aim of this narrative review was to identify and heuristically evaluate 'high-quality' and 'engaging' tobacco cessation mobile apps using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS). Also, to categorize and analyse their features with respect to engagement, functionality, aesthetics, and information quality.
A systematic search of tobacco cessation apps was done within app stores of prominent smartphone platforms developed by Apple and Android. The following search terms: 'quit smoking,' 'smoking cessation, 'stop smoking,' 'smoking therapy,' 'quit tobacco,' 'cigarette cessation,' 'cold turkey,' and 'quit cigarette.' Pearson's correlations were used to analyse correlations between app scores (Total score app-quality/mean score) and downloads/ratings and number of downloads with the overall MARS score. A Chi-square test was performed to analyse any association between app focus and app release dates.
Total MARS scores ranged from 3.1 to 4.9. Quitsure app (4.9), Craving to Quit! app (4.8) and Stop Tobacco Mobile Trainer: Quit Smoking App (4.74) were ranked the highest according to the MARS overall mean score. Older apps focussed more on mere goal setting or substance use, as compared to behaviour change; whereas, recently developed apps are now focussing more on behaviour change.
The content and functionality of behaviour change-focused apps were of higher quality than those of other app categories. These recently developed mHealth apps can effectively supersede the traditional smoking cessation methods.
鉴于烟草使用的高流行率，印度在烟草控制方面面临重大挑战。然而，戒烟所获得的支持并不理想。因此，本叙述性综述的目的是使用移动应用评分量表（MARS）识别并启发式评估“高质量”和“引人入胜”的戒烟移动应用程序。此外，根据参与度、功能、美学和信息质量对其功能进行分类和分析。
在苹果和安卓开发的知名智能手机平台的应用商店中对戒烟应用程序进行系统搜索。使用以下搜索词：“戒烟”、“戒烟疗法”、“戒烟”、“吸烟疗法”、“戒烟”、“戒烟香烟”、“突然戒烟”和“戒烟”。使用皮尔逊相关性分析应用评分（应用质量总分/平均分）与下载量/评分以及下载量与MARS总分之间的相关性。进行卡方检验以分析应用重点与应用发布日期之间的任何关联。
MARS总分范围为3.1至4.9。根据MARS总体平均分，Quitsure应用程序（4.9）、“渴望戒烟！”应用程序（4.8）和“戒烟移动训练师：戒烟应用程序”（4.74）排名最高。与行为改变相比，较旧的应用程序更多地侧重于单纯的目标设定或物质使用；而最近开发的应用程序现在更多地侧重于行为改变。
以行为改变为重点的应用程序的内容和功能质量高于其他应用类别。这些最近开发的移动健康应用程序可以有效地取代传统的戒烟方法。
