Designing User-Centered Mobile Health Initiatives to Promote Healthy Behaviors for Children With Disabilities:...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Informatics
• Disability Studies

Background:

• Bridging the research-to-practice gap is crucial for public health impact, especially for underserved populations like children with disabilities.
• Mobile health (mHealth) offers potential to enhance access to community resources and support, promoting healthier behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development of the Jooay mobile app, designed to improve access to leisure and physical activity programs for children with disabilities.
• To reflect on lessons learned during the implementation of the Jooay app to inform strategies for improving health behaviors in this population.

Main Methods:

• A participatory action research approach was employed for app development.
• User surveys and app usage data were analyzed to understand patterns, feedback, and preferences.
• Implementation was critically appraised using a best practices framework.

Main Results:

• The Jooay app was developed based on user needs and accessibility standards, but usage was concentrated in urban areas.
• User perceptions and needs varied, and sustained engagement was a challenge, with app use alone not guaranteeing increased participation.
• While users valued discovering new activities, challenges in survey recruitment and attrition were noted.

Conclusions:

• Sustained user engagement through app interactions is key for behavior change.
• Future iterations will focus on improving app listings and user engagement to promote health among marginalized groups.
• Further research will investigate the interplay of socioeconomic factors, urban design, and access to inclusive leisure programs.