User characteristics of a smartphone app to reduce alcohol consumption

Claire Garnett,Jamie Brown,Robert West,David Crane,Adam Winstock,Susan Michie

doi:10.1007/s13142-017-0477-1

Claire Garnett, Jamie Brown + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13142-017-0477-1

Copy DOI

Abstract

Digital interventions are available to help people reduce their alcohol consumption, but it is not known who uses these interventions and how this treatment-seeking group compares with the general population of drinkers. The study objective was to compare the socio-demographic and drinking characteristics of users of the ‘Drinks Meter’ smartphone app with the general population of drinkers in England and website users of the same intervention. Data were used from the Drinks Meter app and website, and a nationally representative cross-sectional survey in England (Alcohol Toolkit Study). Participants were drinkers aged 16+ in England. Data were collected on participants’ age, gender, region, sexual orientation, social grade and AUDIT score. Regression analyses were conducted to assess differences in socio-demographic and drinking characteristics between samples. Drinks Meter app users, compared with drinkers of the general population, were younger, more likely to be from the South, not heterosexual, less likely to be of a lower social grade and had a higher mean AUDIT score. Drinks Meter app users were younger than website users and reported greater alcohol consumption and related harms. Drinkers using the Drinks Meter app are more likely to be younger and report greater alcohol consumption and related harms compared with the general population of drinkers in England and website users of the same intervention. Apps that provide feedback on drinking appear to be reaching those who report greater alcohol consumption and related harms.

Highlights

43% of adults worldwide and 88% in western Europe drink alcohol [1]
Drinks Meter app users, compared with drinkers of the general population, were younger, more likely to be from the South, not heterosexual, less likely to be of a lower social grade and had a higher mean AUDIT score
The majority of users had not had a relative, friend, doctor or health worker who expressed concern with regard to their drinking (70.0%). How do these socio-demographic and drinking characteristics compare with that of the general population of (i) drinkers in England? Table 1 reports the results from the regression analyses. Both in the univariable and multivariable regressions, Drinks Meter users were significantly younger (Badj = −10.78, p < .001), more likely to be from the South of England (ORadj = 2.89, p < .001), not heterosexual (ORadj = 2.27, p < .001) and less likely to be of a lower social grade (ORadj = .12, p < .001) than the general population of drinkers

Summary

Introduction

43% of adults worldwide and 88% in western Europe drink alcohol [1]. The global prevalence of alcohol use disorders is 4.9% compared with a prevalence of 6.1% in western Europe [1]. The study objective was to compare the socio-demographic and drinking characteristics of users of the ‘Drinks Meter’ smartphone app with the general population of drinkers in England and website users of the same intervention.

Objectives

Results

Conclusion