Engagement With Gamification Elements in a Smoking Cessation App and Short-term Smoking Abstinence: Quantitative Assessment.

BACKGROUND: Gamification in smoking cessation apps has been found to improve cognitive outcomes associated with higher odds of quitting. Although some research has shown that gamification can also positively impact behavioral outcomes such as smoking cessation, studies have largely focused on physical activity and mental health. Only a few studies have explored the effects of gamification on smoking cessation outcomes, of which the majority have adopted qualitative methodologies and/or assessed engagement with apps using self-report. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore levels of user engagement with gamification features in a smoking cessation app via in-app metrics. Specifically, the objective of this paper was to investigate whether higher engagement with gamification features is associated with the likelihood of quitting in the short term. METHODS: Data from a larger online study that recruited smokers seeking to quit were analyzed to address the objectives presented in this paper. The study took place between June 2019 and July 2020, and participants were primarily recruited via social media posts. Participants who met the eligibility criteria used 1 of 2 mobile apps for smoking cessation. In-app metrics shared by the developer of one of the smoking cessation apps, called Kwit, were used to assess engagement with gamification features. Out of 58 participants who used the Kwit app, 14 were excluded due to missing data or low engagement with the app (ie, not opening the app once a week). For the remaining 44 participants, mean (SD) values were calculated for engagement with the app using in-app metrics. A logistic regression model was used to investigate the association between engagement with gamification and 7-day smoking abstinence. RESULTS: In total, data from 44 participants who used the Kwit app were analyzed. The majority of participants were male, married, and employed. Almost 30% (n=13) of participants self-reported successful 7-day abstinence at the end of the study. On average, the Kwit app was opened almost 31 (SD 39) times during the 4-week study period, with the diary feature used the most often (mean 22.8, SD 49.3). Moreover, it was found that each additional level unlocked was associated with approximately 22% higher odds of achieving 7-day abstinence after controlling for other factors such as age and gender (odds ratio 1.22, 95% CI 1.01-1.47). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the likely positive effects of certain gamification elements such as levels and achievements on short-term smoking abstinence. Although more robust research with a larger sample size is needed, this research highlights the important role that gamification features integrated into mobile apps can play in facilitating and supporting health behavior change.

Validation of the French Smoking Cessation Motivation Scale with French Smokers Using a Mobile App for Smoking Cessation.

To tailor and predict the outcomes of smoking cessation treatment, it is essential to identify the nature of motivation, as it is the basis for long-term change in healthy behaviors according to self-determination theory (SDT). The purpose of this study is to examine the psychometric properties of the French Smoking Cessation Motivation Scale (F-SCMS). The factorial structure and the psychometric properties were assessed with French-speaking users who had started a 9-step preparation program through a mobile app for smoking cessation (n = 13,044). The results of the present study confirmed content validity (CFI = 0.905, SRMR = 0.045, RMSEA = 0.087) and good internal consistency (α = 0.86, ωh = 0.7, ωt = 0.89) with CFA. The convergent validity was very small, but there were highly significant positive correlations between the willingness and readiness to quit with integrated and intrinsic subscales (rs = 0.25−0.37, p < 0.001). The amotivation subscale significantly had no correlation with any degree of willingness (r = 0.01, p < 0.001), ability (r = 0.01, p < 0.001), and readiness to quit (r = 0.02, p < 0.001). This scale facilitates future research regarding the nature of motivation to quit smoking in the French-speaking population.

Behavior Change Techniques in Popular Mobile Apps for Smoking Cessation in France: Content Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The mobile app market differs from country to country, and to date, no previous review of the content quality of smoking cessation apps has been conducted in France. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the general quality of the most popular smoking cessation apps in France and also determine the degree to which apps adhere to established behavioral and cognitive techniques (BCTs) proven effective in clinical practice. METHODS: A systematic research of smoking cessation apps was conducted in both the Google Play Store and Apple Store in the French market. The general quality of popular apps was rated with the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS), and the therapeutic quality was assessed with the ratio of adherence of the behavior change technique taxonomy for smoking cessation treatment. RESULTS: A total of 14 mobile apps met all the inclusion criteria of the content analysis. The interrater reliability varied from "substantial" (0.79) to "almost perfect" (0.9) for the two measures. The mean MARS score was 3.5 out of 5 (median 3.6, IQR 0.6 [3.2-3.8]). The findings suggest that popular apps focus primarily on the functionality dimension of the MARS scale (4.2/5). The mean number of BCTs was 22, with a large difference between apps (minimum 4, maximum 38). At least half of the apps addressed motivation (8.8/14, 63%) and advised on using behavioral skills in order to quit smoking or stay a nonsmoker (8.7/14, 62%). However, only a handful of apps gathered important information (5.9/14, 42%) in order to deliver proper advice regarding the use of approved medication or the implementation of behavioral techniques (4.3/14, 31%). The mean MARS score was positively correlated with the price (r=0.70, P=.007) and the number of BCTs used (r=0.67, P=.01). User rating was not correlated with any quality scale (P=.67). CONCLUSIONS: The content quality of popular smoking cessation apps in France varied by app type and price. Most popular apps propose in general good quality content but lack implementation of evidence-based BCTs associated with effectiveness on smoking cessation treatment. Further research is needed to evaluate the improvement in the content quality of smoking cessation apps in France.

El burnout en la profesión docente: un estudio en la escuela de bioanálisis de la Universidad de Carabobo Sede Aragua, Venezuela / Burnout in the teaching profession: a study from the bioanalysis school of Carabobo University. Faculty of science on health headquarters Aragua, Venezuela

INTRODUCCIÓN: El Síndrome de Burnout se ha definido como una respuesta al estrés laboral crónico. Debido a la importancia de la labor realizada por los docentes, y los altos niveles de estrés que esta profesión genera, con los agravantes de la presencia de factores externos personales y organizacionales que puedan estar presentes, se hace evidente la necesidad de estudiar en los docentes el síndrome de burnout. OBJETIVO: Determinar los niveles del síndrome de burnout existentes en el personal docente de la Escuela de Bioanálisis de la Universidad de Carabobo Sede Aragua, Venezuela. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio de campo de tipo descriptivo y documental. La población estuvo constituida por un total de 96 docentes (ordinarios y contratados). Para la selección de la muestra se empleó un muestreo de tipo no probabilístico de carácter intencional, y quedó representada por un total de 78 docentes. Los datos fueron recolectados por medio de un cuestionario, la versión en español del Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). Los datos, fueron analizados usando el programa estadístico Minitab 16 y siguiendo los criterios del Manual de EEUU de Maslach y Jackson en cuanto a los puntos de corte para las dimensiones que mide el cuestionario. RESULTADOS: Se obtuvo un 57,69% de respuesta. Se encontró que el 16% de los docentes bajo estudio presenta el síndrome de burnout; mientras que en el resto de los docentes hubo un predominio de niveles medios en las dimensiones Agotamiento Emocional (53%), Despersonalización (33%) y Realización Personal (55%). CONCLUSIÓN: Se concluye que la población bajo estudio, solo presentan el síndrome el 16% de los docentes. Sin embargo en la mayoría de los docentes, hubo un predominio de niveles medios para las dimensiones Agotamiento Emocional, Despersonalización y Realización personal. Según esta combinación de niveles, si no se toman las medidas preventivas para su afrontamiento estos docentes pueden llegar a padecer el síndrome, por lo que aunque no haya manifestación del síndrome en la totalidad de los docentes, esta combinación de niveles, puede inducir a la aparición del síndrome en el futuro, si no se toman las medidas preventivas para su afrontamiento oportuno

INTRODUCTION: Burnout Syndrome has been defined as a response to chronic job stress. Due to the importance of the work carried out by teachers and the high levels of stress generated by this profession combined with the aggravating circumstances of external personal and organizational factors that may arise as a result, the need to study the teacher's burnout syndrome is gradually becoming evident. OBJECTIVE: Determine existing levels of burnout syndrome in teachers of the School of Bioanalysis, University of Carabobo Faculty of Science in Health Headquarters Aragua, Venezuela. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The fieldwork used was descriptive and documentary. The total population was made up of 96 teachers (regular part-time and full-time contracted teachers). The method of sample selection was a non-probabilistic intentional sampling from which 78 teachers were selected. Data was collected through the Spanish version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) questionnaire. The data was analyzed using the statistical software Minitab 16 and following the Manual of US Maslach and Jackson criteria as the cutting point for the dimensions measured by questionnaire. RESULTS: A 57.69% response was obtained. It was found that 16% of teachers under study presented burnout syndrome; meanwhile the rest of the teachers showed a predominance of average levels in the Emotional Exhaustion (53%), depersonalization (33%) and Production Staff (55%) dimensions. CONCLUSION: We conclude that, out of the population studied, only 16% of teachers presented the syndrome of Burnout. Nevertheless, there was a predominance of average levels for the emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal realization dimensions present among most of them. According to this combination of preventive measures levels for facing it, if the corresponding measures are not considered these students might suffer the syndrome in the future. Although the manifestations of the syndrome might not arise in all students, such levels combination can induce the development of the syndrome

Globulina antilinfocítica en el tratamiento de la anemia aplásica severa / Antilymphocyte globulin in the treatment of severe aplastic anemia

Objetivo: Describir la experiencia en nuestro hospital en el tratamiento de anemia aplásica severa con globulina antiinfocítica. Materiales y Métodos: Se estudiaron 58 pacientes con AAS diagnosticados entre 1988-1998 de los cuales 25 recibieron globulina antilinfocítica (GAL), 56 por ciento de ellos eran menores a 20 años de edad, 19 de los pacientes tratados con GAL son del sexo masculino. Resultado: Respondieron favorablemente 68 por ciento (17 pacientes), la mayoría de ellos (64 por ciento) alcanzaron esta respuesta durante los primeros 6 mese. Un paciente evolucionó a hemoglobinuria paroxística nocturna (HPN), efectos adversos fueron leves y de corta duración.