title: Perceptions Toward a Smoking Cessation App Targeting LGBTQ+ Youth and Young Adults: A Qualitative Framework Analysis of Focus Groups.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of smoking among lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and other sexual minority (LGBTQ+) youth and young adults (YYA) is significantly higher compared with that among non-LGBTQ+ persons. However, in the past, interventions were primarily group cessation classes that targeted LGBTQ+ persons of all ages. mHealth interventions offer an alternate and modern intervention platform for this subpopulation and may be of particular interest for young LGBTQ+ persons.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study explored LGBTQ+ YYA (the potential users') perceptions of a culturally tailored mobile app for smoking cessation. Specifically, we sought to understand what LGBTQ+ YYA like and dislike about this potential cessation tool, along with how such interventions could be improved.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted 24 focus groups with 204 LGBTQ+ YYA (aged 16-29 years) in Toronto and Ottawa, Canada. Participants reflected on how an app might support LGBTQ+ persons with smoking cessation. Participants indicated their feelings, likes and dislikes, concerns, and additional ideas for culturally tailored smoking cessation apps. Framework analysis was used to code transcripts and identify the overarching themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Study findings suggested that LGBTQ+ YYA were eager about using culturally tailored mobile apps for smoking cessation. Accessibility, monitoring and tracking, connecting with community members, tailoring, connecting with social networks, and personalization were key reasons that were valued for a mobile app cessation program. However, concerns were raised about individual privacy and that not all individuals had access to a mobile phone, users might lose interest quickly, an app would need to be marketed effectively, and app users might cheat and lie about progress to themselves. Participants highlighted that the addition of distractions, rewards, notifications, and Web-based and print versions of the app would be extremely useful to mitigate some of their concerns.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provided insight into the perspectives of LGBTQ+ YYA on a smoking cessation intervention delivered through a mobile app. The findings suggested a number of components of a mobile app that were valued and those that were concerning, as well as suggestions on how to make a mobile app cessation program successful. App development for this subpopulation should take into consideration the opinions of the intended users and involve them in the development and evaluation of mobile-based smoking cessation programs.
authors.affiliation: Propel Centre for Population Health ImpactApplied Health SciencesUniversity of WaterlooWaterloo, ONCanada.
authors.forename: N Bruce
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4517-7443
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Baskerville
authors.affiliation: Propel Centre for Population Health ImpactApplied Health SciencesUniversity of WaterlooWaterloo, ONCanada.
authors.forename: Darly
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1881-5465
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dash
authors.affiliation: Propel Centre for Population Health ImpactApplied Health SciencesUniversity of WaterlooWaterloo, ONCanada.
authors.forename: Katy
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3316-1794
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Propel Centre for Population Health ImpactApplied Health SciencesUniversity of WaterlooWaterloo, ONCanada.
authors.forename: Alanna
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2821-3572
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shuh
authors.affiliation: Propel Centre for Population Health ImpactApplied Health SciencesUniversity of WaterlooWaterloo, ONCanada.
authors.forename: Aneta
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1682-320X
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abramowicz
keywords: focus groups; mobile applications; qualitative research; sexuality; smartphone; smoking cessation; telemedicine