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Predictors of Utilization of a Novel Smoking Cessation Smartphone App.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Zeng, EY; Vilardaga, R; Heffner, JL; Mull, KE; Bricker, JB
Published in: Telemed J E Health
December 2015

BACKGROUND: Understanding the characteristics of high and low utilizers of smartphone applications (apps) for smoking cessation would inform development of more engaging and effective apps, yet no studies to date have addressed this critical question. Informed by prior research on predictors of cessation Web site utilization, this study examines the degree to which baseline demographic factors (gender, age, and education), smoking-related factors (smoking level and friends' smoking), and psychological factors (depression and anxiety) are predictive of utilization of a smartphone app for smoking cessation called SmartQuit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data came from 98 participants randomized to SmartQuit as part of a pilot trial from March to May 2013. We used negative binomial count regressions to examine the relationship between user characteristics and utilization of the app over an 8-week treatment period. RESULTS: Lower education (risk ratio [RR]=0.492; p=0.021), heavier smoking (RR=0.613; p=0.033), and depression (RR=0.958; p=0.017) prospectively predicted lower app utilization. Women (RR=0.320; p=0.022), those with lower education (RR=0.491; p=0.013), and heavier smokers (RR=0.418; p=0.039) had lower utilization of app features known to predict smoking cessation. CONCLUSIONS: Many of the predictors of utilization of smoking cessation apps are the same as those of cessation Web sites. App-delivered smoking cessation treatment effectiveness could be enhanced by focusing on increasing engagement of women, those with lower education, heavy smokers, and those with current depressive symptoms.

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Published In

Telemed J E Health

DOI

EISSN

1556-3669

Publication Date

December 2015

Volume

21

Issue

12

Start / End Page

998 / 1004

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Smoking Cessation
  • Smartphone
  • Mobile Applications
  • Medical Informatics
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • 4206 Public health
  • 4203 Health services and systems
 

Citation

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ICMJE
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Zeng, E. Y., Vilardaga, R., Heffner, J. L., Mull, K. E., & Bricker, J. B. (2015). Predictors of Utilization of a Novel Smoking Cessation Smartphone App. Telemed J E Health, 21(12), 998–1004. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2014.0232
Zeng, Emily Y., Roger Vilardaga, Jaimee L. Heffner, Kristin E. Mull, and Jonathan B. Bricker. “Predictors of Utilization of a Novel Smoking Cessation Smartphone App.Telemed J E Health 21, no. 12 (December 2015): 998–1004. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2014.0232.
Zeng EY, Vilardaga R, Heffner JL, Mull KE, Bricker JB. Predictors of Utilization of a Novel Smoking Cessation Smartphone App. Telemed J E Health. 2015 Dec;21(12):998–1004.
Zeng, Emily Y., et al. “Predictors of Utilization of a Novel Smoking Cessation Smartphone App.Telemed J E Health, vol. 21, no. 12, Dec. 2015, pp. 998–1004. Pubmed, doi:10.1089/tmj.2014.0232.
Zeng EY, Vilardaga R, Heffner JL, Mull KE, Bricker JB. Predictors of Utilization of a Novel Smoking Cessation Smartphone App. Telemed J E Health. 2015 Dec;21(12):998–1004.
Journal cover image

Published In

Telemed J E Health

DOI

EISSN

1556-3669

Publication Date

December 2015

Volume

21

Issue

12

Start / End Page

998 / 1004

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Smoking Cessation
  • Smartphone
  • Mobile Applications
  • Medical Informatics
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • 4206 Public health
  • 4203 Health services and systems