Perceptions and Acceptability of a Smartphone App Intervention (ChildSafe) in Malaysia: Qualitative Exploratory Study (Preprint)

Abstract

BACKGROUND Home is a vulnerable place for accidental child injuries. Unintentional injuries are a leading cause of death, hospitalization and disabilities. These injuries are considered preventable and if not tackled, it will continue to be a persisting problem. Smartphones have become increasingly important in our everyday life. Therefore, app-based intervention was developed to reduce child injury at home. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate acceptance of parents or guardians towards a smartphone application intervention. METHODS This study was conducted using a qualitative exploratory approach. Twenty-seven seven semi-structured in-depth interviews (IDI) were carried out among parents or guardians who have at least one child between the age of 0-59 months old in the area of Sungai Buloh, Selangor. Interview questions were developed from the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), interviews were transcribed verbatim and data thematically analyzed thematically guided by CFIR. RESULTS Study revealed users’ usability, feasibility and acceptability of the ChildSafe app. Three CFIR domains were identified – intervention characteristics, inner setting and characteristics of individuals. Participants felt the app is extremely useful, easy to use, purposeful in achieving home safety assessment. Even at the nascent stage the app has prompted users to consider and make changes around their own home. However, future versions of the app should be expanded to make it more attractive to users. CONCLUSIONS Parents or guardians are accepting towards the use of the ChildSafe app to prevent child injury at home. However, further expansion and improvements are needed to make the novel app fully accepted by parents in general. CLINICALTRIAL Null