Smartphone Applications for Period Tracking: Rating and Behavioral Change among Women Users
Background. The use of mobile apps for health and well-being has grown exponentially in the last decade, as such apps were reported to be ideal platforms for behavioral change and symptoms monitoring and management. Objective. This study aimed to systematically review period tracking applications av...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2020-01-01
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| Series: | Obstetrics and Gynecology International |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/2192387 |
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| author | Reema A. Karasneh Sayer I. Al-Azzam Karem H. Alzoubi Suhaib M. Muflih Sahar S. Hawamdeh |
| author_facet | Reema A. Karasneh Sayer I. Al-Azzam Karem H. Alzoubi Suhaib M. Muflih Sahar S. Hawamdeh |
| author_sort | Reema A. Karasneh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background. The use of mobile apps for health and well-being has grown exponentially in the last decade, as such apps were reported to be ideal platforms for behavioral change and symptoms monitoring and management. Objective. This study aimed to systematically review period tracking applications available at Google Play and Apple App Stores and determine the presence, features, and quality of these smartphone apps. In addition, behavioral changes associated with the top 5 rated apps were assessed. Methods. This study used the Systematic Search Criteria through Google Play Store and iTunes Apple Store, using terms related to period tracking. Apps were scanned for matching the inclusion criteria and the included apps were assessed by two reviewers using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS), a tool that was developed for classifying and assessing the quality of mHealth apps. Results. Forty-nine apps met the inclusion criteria. Most of the apps enabled setting user goals, motivations, and interactivity, tracking multiple symptoms or mood changes, allowed notifications, and used graphs to illustrate the tracking result over a specific period of time. The majority of features and functions within these apps were offered for free, while some apps included limited in-app purchases or needed Internet connection to function. Certain apps were reported by participants to promote behavioral change and increase knowledge and awareness regarding monthly periods. Conclusions. Period tracking apps were easy to use and navigate and can hence be readily adopted into routine tracking and management of periods. However, most apps were not based on significant evidence and may need further development to support period-related symptom management. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4a6de65eddc44e408a39f5e864d89a1e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1687-9589 1687-9597 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2020-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Obstetrics and Gynecology International |
| spelling | doaj-art-4a6de65eddc44e408a39f5e864d89a1e2025-02-03T06:04:36ZengWileyObstetrics and Gynecology International1687-95891687-95972020-01-01202010.1155/2020/21923872192387Smartphone Applications for Period Tracking: Rating and Behavioral Change among Women UsersReema A. Karasneh0Sayer I. Al-Azzam1Karem H. Alzoubi2Suhaib M. Muflih3Sahar S. Hawamdeh4Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Yarmouk University, Irbid, JordanDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, JordanDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, JordanDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, JordanDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, JordanBackground. The use of mobile apps for health and well-being has grown exponentially in the last decade, as such apps were reported to be ideal platforms for behavioral change and symptoms monitoring and management. Objective. This study aimed to systematically review period tracking applications available at Google Play and Apple App Stores and determine the presence, features, and quality of these smartphone apps. In addition, behavioral changes associated with the top 5 rated apps were assessed. Methods. This study used the Systematic Search Criteria through Google Play Store and iTunes Apple Store, using terms related to period tracking. Apps were scanned for matching the inclusion criteria and the included apps were assessed by two reviewers using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS), a tool that was developed for classifying and assessing the quality of mHealth apps. Results. Forty-nine apps met the inclusion criteria. Most of the apps enabled setting user goals, motivations, and interactivity, tracking multiple symptoms or mood changes, allowed notifications, and used graphs to illustrate the tracking result over a specific period of time. The majority of features and functions within these apps were offered for free, while some apps included limited in-app purchases or needed Internet connection to function. Certain apps were reported by participants to promote behavioral change and increase knowledge and awareness regarding monthly periods. Conclusions. Period tracking apps were easy to use and navigate and can hence be readily adopted into routine tracking and management of periods. However, most apps were not based on significant evidence and may need further development to support period-related symptom management.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/2192387 |
| spellingShingle | Reema A. Karasneh Sayer I. Al-Azzam Karem H. Alzoubi Suhaib M. Muflih Sahar S. Hawamdeh Smartphone Applications for Period Tracking: Rating and Behavioral Change among Women Users Obstetrics and Gynecology International |
| title | Smartphone Applications for Period Tracking: Rating and Behavioral Change among Women Users |
| title_full | Smartphone Applications for Period Tracking: Rating and Behavioral Change among Women Users |
| title_fullStr | Smartphone Applications for Period Tracking: Rating and Behavioral Change among Women Users |
| title_full_unstemmed | Smartphone Applications for Period Tracking: Rating and Behavioral Change among Women Users |
| title_short | Smartphone Applications for Period Tracking: Rating and Behavioral Change among Women Users |
| title_sort | smartphone applications for period tracking rating and behavioral change among women users |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/2192387 |
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