TY  - JOUR
AU  - Chapman, Cath
AU  - Champion, Katrina Elizabeth
AU  - Birrell, Louise
AU  - Deen, Hannah
AU  - Brierley, Mary-Ellen
AU  - Stapinski, Lexine A
AU  - Kay-Lambkin, Frances
AU  - Newton, Nicola C
AU  - Teesson, Maree
PY  - 2018
DA  - 2018/11/21
TI  - Smartphone Apps About Crystal Methamphetamine (“Ice”): Systematic Search in App Stores and Assessment of Composition and Quality
JO  - JMIR Mhealth Uhealth
SP  - e10442
VL  - 6
IS  - 11
KW  - internet
KW  - methamphetamine
KW  - mobile phone
KW  - review
KW  - substance-related disorder
AB  - 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. 
SN  - 2291-5222
UR  - http://mhealth.jmir.org/2018/11/e10442/
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/10442
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30463834
DO  - 10.2196/10442
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/10442
ER  -