SEARCHCROSS-SECTIONALpublic health, obstetrics and gynecology

cross-sectional·public health, obstetrics and gynecology, epidemiology, clinical trial, research methods·PMC10018377

Menstrual Tracking Mobile App Review by Consumers and Health Care Providers: Quality Evaluations Study

JMIR mHealth and uHealth · 4 authors, 4 centres

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FIDELITY 100%

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AGENT 01 · STRUCTURED SUMMARY

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TL;DR

This study evaluated the quality of menstrual tracking apps from the perspectives of consumers and health care providers using standardized scales. The central finding was that the two groups' evaluation scores were not correlated, highlighting differing priorities in app assessment.

Full summary

597 CHARS

The study evaluated the quality of menstrual tracking mobile apps using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) and its user version (uMARS). App quality was rated by 4 health care providers (MARS) and 6 consumers (uMARS). Health care providers valued engagement, functionality, and aesthetics, while consumers prioritized aesthetics and information. The app 'Bom Calendar' achieved the highest scores in both evaluations (MARS: 4.51; uMARS: 4.23). Limitations include a small number of evaluators, selection based on popularity and recent updates, and potential search bias from the App Store.

STUDY TYPE

cross-sectional

SPECIALTY

public health

SUMMARISED BY

AI pipeline

FIDELITY CHECK

100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10018377

Menstrual Tracking Mobile App Review by Consumers and Health Care Providers: Quality Evaluations Study

JMIR mHealth and uHealth

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ABSTRACT

Abstract Background Women’s menstrual cycle is an important component of their overall health. Physiological cycles and associated symptoms can be monitored continuously and used as indicators in various fields. Menstrual apps are accessible and can be used to promote overall female health. However, no study has evaluated these apps’ functionality from both consumers’ and health care providers’ perspectives. As such, the evidence indicating whether the menstrual apps available on the market provide user satisfaction is insufficient. Objective This study was performed to investigate the key content and quality of menstrual apps from the perspectives of health care providers and consumers. We also analyzed the correlations between health care provider and consumer evaluation scores. On the basis of this analysis, we offer technical and policy recommendations that could increase the usability and convenience of future app. Methods We searched the Google Play Store and iOS App Store using the keywords “period” and “menstrual cycle” in English and Korean and identified relevant apps. An app that met the following inclusion criteria was selected as a research app: nonduplicate; with >10,000 reviews; last updated ≤180 days ago; relevant to this topic; written in Korean or English; available free of charge; and currently operational. App quality was evaluated by 6 consumers and 4 health care providers using Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) and user version of the Mobile Application Rating Scale (uMARS). We then analyzed the correlations among MARS scores, uMARS scores, star ratings, and the number of reviews. Results Of the 34 apps, 31 (91%) apps could be used to predict the menstrual cycle, and 2 (6%) apps provided information pertinent to health screening. All apps that scored highly in the MARS evaluation offer a symptom logging function and provide the user with personalized notifications. The “Bom Calendar” app had the highest MARS (4.51) and uMARS (4.23) scores. The MARS (2.22) and uMARS (4.15) scores for the “Menstrual calendar—ovulation & pregnancy calendar” app were different. In addition, there was no relationship between MARS and uMARS scores ( r =0.32; P =.06). Conclusions We compared consumer and health care provider ratings for menstrual apps. Continuous monitoring of app quality from consumer and health care provider perspectives is necessary to guide their development and update content. Keywords: mobile app, period, menstrual cycle, mHealth, mobile health, evaluation, women’s health, health care provider, consumer, menstrual app, digital health app, health screening, consumer satisfaction

CITATION EXPORT

Siyeon Ko, Jisan Lee, Doyeon An et al.. Menstrual Tracking Mobile App Review by Consumers and Health Care Providers: Quality Evaluations Study. JMIR mHealth and uHealth. (2023). https://doi.org/10.2196/40921

AUTHORS

4 · 4 CENTRES

Siyeon Ko, Jisan Lee, Doyeon An, Hyekyung Woo

1Department of Health Administration, College of Nursing & Health, Kongju National University, Gongju-Si, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea
2Department of Nursing Science, College of Life & Health Sciences, Hoseo University, Asan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea
3Department of Nursing, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Wonju-si, Republic of Korea
4Institute of Health and Environment, Kongju National University, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea