Mobile health interventions for substance use reduction: a systematic review

Abstract

Substance use disorders often emerge during adolescence or early adulthood, posing significant physical and mental health risks. Young adults, however, frequently face barriers to treatment, such as stigma, high costs, and a lack of services tailored to their needs. mHealth interventions, leveraging widely accessible digital platforms, offer an innovative, evidence-based approach to addressing substance use in this vulnerable demographic. This review evaluates the effectiveness of mHealth interventions in reducing substance use among young adult students in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A comprehensive search of PubMed, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, Google, and Google Scholar identified relevant studies from 1991 onward, focusing on students aged 16–25. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane EPOC and JBI checklists, with independent screening and data extraction by two reviewers. Of 153 records screened, five studies met inclusion criteria, exploring mHealth tools such as instant messaging apps, mobile applications, Telegram, and SMS. These interventions demonstrated feasibility, high engagement, and effectiveness in reducing alcohol and smoking behaviors. This review examines behavioral change techniques, psychometric properties, and intervention strategies, alongside factors influencing effectiveness, intervention characteristics, and methodological and contextual challenges. Behavioral models such as the Health Belief Model and Social Cognitive Theory supported the delivery of personalized, interactive content. Overall, mHealth interventions show promise in reducing substance use among young adults in LMICs, though further large-scale, rigorous trials are necessary to validate these findings and assess their scalability.