Evidence map›Paper›PMID 36848207›Full record

ArticleJMIR formative research2023

Perceptions of Using Instant Messaging Apps for Alcohol Reduction Intervention Among University Student Drinkers: Semistructured Interview Study With Chinese University Students in Hong Kong.

Siu Long Chau, Yiu Cheong Wong, Ying Pei Zeng, Jung Jae Lee, Man Ping Wang

Registry-linked trialOpen access · goldFull text read
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR formative research, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT04025151 (Nurse-led Alcohol Brief Intervention Plus Mobile Personalized Chat-based Support on Reducing Alcohol Use in University Students), which is not on this map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
2.9field-weighted citation impact, top 9% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT04025151 naunknown statusnot on this map

Nurse-led Alcohol Brief Intervention Plus Mobile Personalized Chat-based Support on Reducing Alcohol Use in University Students: a Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial

TypeinterventionalSponsorThe University of Hong KongRan2020 to 2022Enrolled770ConditionsAlcohol MisuseArmsAlcohol brief intervention, 12-page health warning leaflet, Regular messages through Instant Messaging (IM), Real-time chat-based support through IM Apps, General health through SMS
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 5 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

Siu Long ChauSchool of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1704-4387
Yiu Cheong WongSchool of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7853-3072
Ying Pei ZengSchool of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9920-9741
Jung Jae LeeSchool of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9704-2116
Man Ping WangSchool of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4000-2388
University of Hong Kong · HK

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMobile instant messaging (IM) apps (eg, WhatsApp and WeChat) have been widely used by the general population and are more interactive than text-based programs (SMS text messaging) to modify unhealthy lifestyles. Little is known about IM app use for health promotion, including alcohol reduction for university students.

objectiveThis study aims to explore university student drinkers' perceptions of using IM apps for alcohol reduction as they had high alcohol exposure (eg, drinking invitations from peers and alcohol promotion on campus) and the proportion of IM app use in Hong Kong.

methodsA qualitative study was conducted with 20 Hong Kong Chinese university students (current drinkers) with Alcohol Use Disorder Identification test scores of ≥8 recruited using purposive sampling. Semistructured individual interviews were conducted from September to October 2019. Interview questions focused on drinking behaviors, quitting history, opinions toward IM app use as an intervention tool, perceived usefulness of IM apps for alcohol reduction, and opinions on the content and design of IM apps for alcohol reduction. Each interview lasted approximately 1 hour. All interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Two researchers independently analyzed the transcripts using thematic analysis with an additional investigator to verify the consistency of the coding.

resultsParticipants considered IM apps a feasible and acceptable platform for alcohol reduction intervention. They preferred to receive IMs based on personalized problem-solving and drinking consequences with credible sources. Other perceived important components of instant messages included providing psychosocial support in time and setting goals with participants to reduce drinking. They further provided suggestions on the designs of IM interventions, in which they preferred simple and concise messages, chat styles based on participants' preferences (eg, adding personalized emojis and stickers in the chat), and peers as counselors.

conclusionsQualitative interviews with Chinese university student drinkers showed high acceptability, engagement, and perceived utility of IM apps for alcohol reduction intervention. IM intervention can be an alternative for alcohol reduction intervention apart from traditional text-based programs. The study has implications for developing the IM intervention for other unhealthy behaviors and highlights important topics that warrant future research, including substance use and physical inactivity.

trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04025151; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04025151?term=NCT04025151.

Indexed as

adverse lifestylealcohol reductionalcohol reduction interventionalcohol useappshealth behaviorshealth behaviourshealth promotioninstant messaginginstant messaging appsinterventionmobile phonetext messagesuniversity studentsWhatsAppyoung adults

Identifiers

PMID36848207
PMCPMC10012002
OpenAlexW4319322115

What OpenQuestion holds

Textfull text, public
LicenceCC BY
measurements read11
identifiers read1
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.