Assessment of Content, Quality and Compliance of the STaR Mobile Application for Smoking Cessation

Introduction: Smoking cessation support with smartphone applications is widely practised, however, quality and novel content is yet to be established. This study examined content, quality and compliance of the STaR (Sihat Tanpa Rokok - Healthy Without Smoking) smartphone application to smoking cessation clinical practice guidelines.

Methods: Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) was applied to assess the quality of the mobile application. A total of 33 compliance assessment criteria were developed, based on the smoking cessation clinical practice guidelines adopted by the Brunei Ministry of Health and used to rate the compliance.

Results: The STaR app has an average quality and compliance score. The mean MARS score of 3.31 and a subjective quality score of 2.50 was measured on a 5-point scale (from 1=inadequate to 5=excellent). The application contents that adhere to smoking cessation clinical practice guidelines suggest adequate adherence to the 5A (Ask, Advice, Assess, Assist, Arrange) and 5R motivational interventions (Relevance, Risks, Rewards, Roadblocks, Repetition) approach for smoking cessation.

Conclusions: The STaR mobile app with the integration of all components of smoking cessation clinical practice guidelines (such as 5A approach and pharmacotherapy intervention) may improve quality scores.