MyLARC: A Theory-Based Interactive Smartphone App to Support Adolescents' Use of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception

Develop and test the feasibility of a Health Belief Model theory-based interactive smartphone application (app) aimed at providing information and support to adolescents with long-acting reversible contraception (LARC).

Using a mixed-method design, we conducted 30 in-person interviews with adolescent LARC users who were enrolled in school-based health centers in New York City. Interviews were conducted in 2 phases: during phase 1, 12 participants viewed a pilot version of the app (MyLARC); during phase 2, 18 additional participants interacted with an expanded version of the app. Phase 2 participants downloaded MyLARC onto their smartphone and app usage was tracked.

Participants' responses to the in-person interviews and data usage of MyLARC from phase 2 determined the feasibility and acceptability of using MyLARC to support young women's satisfaction and continuation of LARC methods.

Noneducational games were recommended as an approach to provide information to adolescents in an engaging way, as well as educational graphics and visually appealing content. Data tracking of MyLARC usage among phase 2 participants revealed a total of 67 unique logins to the app with 18 average page visits per unique login. The total amount of times MyLARC was opened was 1197. The most frequented features were 'Info about LARC' (95 unique visits) and 'Games' (80 unique plays).

A theory-based interactive smartphone app with LARC-specific information and support is an appropriate and appealing medium to provide information and support to adolescents using LARC. Games represented a novel opportunity to engage adolescents with health information.