Perceived impact of a smartphone application: Knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and intention to change an abnormal neck posture among smartphone-addicted undergraduates

Abstract

<b>Objectives:</b> This study explored the perceived impact of a smartphone app on awareness, knowledge, attitudes, help-seeking, behavior change, and intention to change an abnormal posture of the neck while using smartphones among undergraduates addicted to smartphone use. <b>Patients and methods:</b> This descriptive survey involved smartphone-addicted undergraduates recruited between February 2022 and July 2022. The self-administered questionnaires used for gathering the data were a smartphone addiction survey and a mobile app rating scale on app-specific query assessing changes in awareness, knowledge, attitude, intention to change, health-seeking, and behavior change. <b>Results:</b> The questionnaire was completed by 316 participants (218 females, 98 males; mean: 20.7±2.6 years; range, 16 to 35 years). One hundred forty-two (44.9%) of the respondents strongly agreed that the app improved awareness, while 143 (45.3%) strongly agreed that the app improved knowledge about the significance of addressing abnormal posture of the neck while using smartphones. One hundred thirty-two (41.8%) were of the opinion that the app could change participant attitudes, and 135 (42.7%) agreed that the app could increase intentions toward improving abnormal posture of the neck. One hundred eighteen (37.3%) participants agreed that the app could promote help-seeking for abnormal posture of the neck. Respondents' age had a negative weak correlation with intention to treat (r=-0.191, p=0.001) and help-seeking (r=-0.199, p=0.0001). <b>Conclusion:</b> Most of the respondents in this study agreed that the CerviTech app could increase awareness, knowledge, attitude, intention to change, help-seeking, and behavior change of abnormal posture of the neck while using smartphones, with significant impact according to the age of the respondents regarding the intention to change and help-seeking behavior.