Pattern of health APPS use and associated sociodemographic factors in Hong Kong smokers - findings of family project

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Health related Apps is increasingly popular and may be useful for changing unhealthy behaviours. We investigated pattern and sociodemographic factors associated with health Apps use among smokers in Hong Kong, one of the most connected cities in the world. METHODS: As a part of the FAMILY Project (a Jockey Club Initiative for a harmonious society), a territory-wide probability-based telephone survey (Family and Health Information Trend survey) was conducted among 4038 randomly selected adults in 2016. Among respondents who had smartphones or tablets, types of health Apps function were recorded. Smoking status was categorised as current (n=273, 6.8%), ex- (n=382, 9.5%) and never smokers (n=3382, 83.8%). Logistic regression was used to yield adjust odds ratios (OR) for health Apps use in related to sex (male vs. female), age (3 categories: 18-29, 30-59, 60+), education (3 categories: ≤primary, secondary, ≥tertiary) and household income (3 categories: HK$ ≤20000, ≤40000, >40000) (1US$=7.8HK$). RESULTS: Compared to ex-smokers (67.4%), more never (79.7%) and current smokers (77.3%) had smartphones or tablets (P<0.01). Among smartphone or tablet owners, 21.3% never, 20.9% current and 23.2% ex-smokers had health related Apps (P=0.91). Health Apps were commonly used for tracking physical activity (73.5%), recording health status (46.9%) and monitoring vital signs (32.7%) in current smokers. The pattern was similar in never and ex-smokers (all P>0.05). Only 0.9% all respondents, 0.5% never smokers, 0.4% ex-smokers and none current smokers have used smoking cessation Apps (P<0.001). In current smokers, male, younger age and higher household income were non-significantly associated with health Apps use, which was significantly associated with higher education attainment levels (adjust OR=2.70 for per category increase, 95% CI 1.35-5.37). These factors were non-significantly associated with health Apps use in ex-smokers except being younger (adjusted OR=2.26 for category increase, 95% CI 1.21-4.23). CONCLUSION: Health Apps particularly smoking cessation Apps are underused in smokers especially those were old aged and had lower education level.