Applying Human-Centered Design to Develop Smartphone-Based Intervention Messages to Help Young Adults Quit Using...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Digital Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Young adults commonly engage in dual tobacco use (e-cigarettes and cigarettes), yet few cessation interventions exist.
• Human-centered design (HCD) approaches are underutilized in developing interventions for dual tobacco cessation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To apply an HCD approach to develop smartphone-based intervention messages for dual tobacco cessation among young adults.
• To refine messages based on user feedback to enhance their effectiveness.

Main Methods:

• Developed intervention messages using HCD principles, cessation theories, and prior research.
• Conducted three rounds of asynchronous online message testing with 35 young adults (18-29 years) motivated to quit.
• Collected quantitative ratings (comprehension, usefulness, tone, design) and qualitative feedback on message elements.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in overall message ratings after refinement (3.6 to 4.6).
• Specific improvements noted in comprehension (4.0 to 4.9), usefulness (3.0 to 4.4), tone (3.8 to 4.8), and design (3.4 to 4.4).
• Qualitative feedback identified effective design elements (clear layout, minimal imagery) and areas for improvement (color, text length, wording).

Conclusions:

• HCD, combined with remote message testing, effectively developed appealing and relevant smartphone intervention messages for dual tobacco cessation.
• Remote testing facilitates rapid prototyping and user feedback for timely intervention refinement.
• This methodology can inform future digital health interventions for emerging behaviors in young adults.