Theoretically Guided Iterative Design of the Sense2Quit App for Tobacco Cessation in Persons Living with HIV

Abstract

The use of mobile health (mHealth technology) can be an effective intervention when considering chronic illnesses. Qualitative research methods were used to identify specific content and features for a mobile app for smoking cessation amongst people living with HIV (PWH). We conducted five focus group sessions followed by two Design Sessions with PWH who were or are currently chronic cigarette smokers. The first five groups focused on the perceived barriers and facilitators to smoking cessation amongst PWH. The two Design Sessions leveraged the findings from the focus group sessions and were used to determine the optimal features and user interface of a mobile app to support smoking cessation amongst PWH. Thematic analysis was conducted using the Health Belief Model and Fogg’s Functional Triad. Seven themes emerged from our focus group sessions: history of smoking, triggers, consequences of quitting smoking, motivation to quit, messages to help quit, quitting strategies, and mental health-related challenges. Functional details of the app were identified during the Design Sessions and used to build a functional prototype.

Pilot Testing of an mHealth App for Tobacco Cessation in People Living With HIV: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

“…As such, this study's team created the Sense2Quit app, using the Information Systems Research (ISR) framework [13], for people living with HIV who want to quit smoking. Through an iterative process with people living with HIV who were current or former smokers, as well as usability experts, we identified major themes associated with quitting smoking and developed and evaluated the Sense2Quit app to be used in our randomized controlled trial (RCT) starting in March 2023 [14,15].…”

“…The Sense2Quit app (Figure 1) is a mobile app connected through Bluetooth to a smartwatch that tracks smoking gestures and distinguishes them from other everyday movements such as eating, drinking, etc. The ISR framework guided the development of the app and included an iterative process [14,15] where both people living with HIV, who were current or former smokers, and usability experts helped design, evaluate, and refine the Sense2Quit app. Findings from the formative work were used to inform the final Sense2Quit app, which was used in the RCT [14,15].…”

“…The ISR framework guided the development of the app and included an iterative process [14,15] where both people living with HIV, who were current or former smokers, and usability experts helped design, evaluate, and refine the Sense2Quit app. Findings from the formative work were used to inform the final Sense2Quit app, which was used in the RCT [14,15]. In the Sense2Quit app, participants can view their smoking trends, which are recorded through their use of the smartwatch, including how often or how much they smoke and the amount of money that they are spending on cigarettes, watch videos with quitting tips, information, and distractions, play Pac-Man and Tedroid (a game similar to Tetris [25]), set reminders, and communicate with a study team member.…”

“…Although we found that people living with HIV in our focus groups were highly motivated to quit smoking due to health concerns, they identified needing additional interventions and support to successfully quit smoking amid everyday challenges and struggles [14]. With more than 350,000 apps currently on the market, mHealth technology is becoming widely known and used among people of all ages, races, and ethnicities [58,59].…”