Smartphone Apps About Crystal Methamphetamine ("Ice"): Systematic Search in App Stores and Assessment of Composition and Quality

Cath Chapman; Katrina Elizabeth Champion; Louise Birrell; Hannah Deen; Mary-Ellen Brierley; Lexine A Stapinski; Frances Kay-Lambkin; Nicola C Newton; Maree Teesson

doi:10.2196/10442

Smartphone Apps About Crystal Methamphetamine ("Ice"): Systematic Search in App Stores and Assessment of Composition and Quality

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2018 Nov 21;6(11):e10442. doi: 10.2196/10442.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ National Health and Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence in Mental Health and Substance Use, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
² Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States.
³ Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.

PMID: 30463834
PMCID: PMC6282015
DOI: 10.2196/10442

Abstract

Background: Amid considerable community concern about the prevalence and harms associated with the use of crystal methamphetamine ("ice"), the increased use of smartphones to access health information and a growing number of available smartphone apps related to crystal methamphetamine, no previous reviews have examined the content and quality of these apps.

Objective: This study aims to systematically review existing apps in the iTunes and Google Play Stores to determine the existence, composition, and quality of educational smartphone apps about methamphetamines, including ice.

Methods: The iTunes and Google Play Stores were systematically searched in April 2017 for iOS Apple and Android apps, respectively. English-language apps that provided educational content or information about methamphetamine were eligible for inclusion. Eligible apps were downloaded and independently evaluated for quality by 2 reviewers using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS).

Results: A total of 2205 apps were initially identified, of which 18 were eligible and rated using the MARS. The mean MARS quality total score for all rated apps was 3.0 (SD 0.6), indicating poor to acceptable quality. Overall, mean scores were the highest for functionality (mean 4.0, SD 0.5) and lowest for engagement (mean 2.3, SD 0.7).

Conclusions: This study demonstrates a shortage of high-quality educational and engaging smartphone apps specifically related to methamphetamine. The findings from this review highlight a need for further development of engaging and evidence-based apps that provide educational information about crystal methamphetamine.

Keywords: internet; methamphetamine; mobile phone; review; substance-related disorder.

©Cath Chapman, Katrina Elizabeth Champion, Louise Birrell, Hannah Deen, Mary-Ellen Brierley, Lexine A. Stapinski, Frances Kay-Lambkin, Nicola C. Newton, Maree Teesson. Originally published in JMIR Mhealth and Uhealth (http://mhealth.jmir.org), 21.11.2018.

Publication types

Review