BACKGROUND
Personalized prevention tools, such as mobile applications designed to reduce alcohol consumption, are widespread in mobile application stores accessible in Russia. However, their quality and content have not been systematically evaluated.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to identify Russian-language mobile applications for reducing alcohol use and evaluate their quality and potential to change alcohol-related health behavior. It further aimed to identify applications that could facilitate screening and brief interventions in primary health care in Russia.
METHODS
A systematic search for mobile applications available in Russia was carried out between April 1 and 15, December 1 and 15, 2020, and in March 2021 in the iOS App Store, Google Play Store, and the 4PDA forum. Application quality was assessed via the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS), and structured searches in electronic libraries and bibliographic databases used to evaluate the applications’ evidence base. The number of features facilitating changes in lifestyle behavior was assessed using the App Behavior Change Scale (ABACUS).
RESULTS
We identified a total of 63 mobile applications for reducing alcohol use. Mean MARS quality ratings were high for the subscales of “Functionality” (3.92 out of 5, SD = 0.58) and “Aesthetics” (2.96; SD = 0.76) and low for “Engagement” (2.42; SD = 0.76) and “Information” (1.65, SD = 0.60). Additional searches in electronic libraries and bibliographic databases (Elibrary, Cyberleninka, Google Scholar) yielded no studies involving the identified applications. ABACUS scores ranged from 1 to 15 out of 25, with a mean of 5 (SD = 3.24). Two of the identified applications might be useful for screening and brief interventions in Russian primary health care after improvements in content and scientific testing.
CONCLUSIONS
Russian-language mobile applications for reducing alcohol use are accessible in the application stores. Many of them are aesthetically pleasing, functional, and easy to use. However, information about scientific trialing or testing is lacking. Most applications contain a low number of features that facilitate changes in lifestyle behavior. Further research should examine the context of Russian-language mobile applications for reducing alcohol use. Our findings underline the need to develop evidence-based applications to mitigate alcohol consumption in Russia and elsewhere.
CLINICALTRIAL
PROSPERO (CRD42020167458) (review ongoing).
Attitudes and Learning through Practice Are Key to Delivering Brief Interventions for Heavy Drinking in Primary Health Care: Analyses from the ODHIN Five Country Cluster Randomized Factorial Trial
