Development and Evaluation of a Mobile Health (mHealth) Application for Smoking Cessation Among Adolescents in Indonesia: A Mixed Methods Randomized Controlled Trial

Adolescent smoking is a growing public health concern worldwide, and it is particularly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as Indonesia. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 6.5% of adolescents aged 13-15 years globally use tobacco, with Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, contributing a significant proportion of this population. The prevalence of smoking among Indonesian adolescents has escalated over the past decade, with national surveys indicating a sharp increase from 7.2% in 2013 to 9.1% in 2018 and even higher figures reported by the 2019 Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) at 19.2%. Although more recent estimates suggest a slight reduction to 7.4% in 2023, smoking among adolescents remains a major public health challenge in Indonesia. Especially since Indonesia is the only country in Asia that has not ratified the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

This condition is especially concerning given the strong empirical evidence of the detrimental effects of smoking on individual health, societal well-being, and the environment. Adolescent smoking is associated with numerous long-term health risks, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and an increased likelihood of continuing smoking into adulthood. Furthermore, smoking during adolescence has been linked to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Moreover, tobacco-related mortality is alarmingly high, with over 8 million deaths annually worldwide due to active smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke. In Indonesia, tobacco-related diseases contribute significantly to mortality, with an estimated 225,700 deaths annually attributed to smoking. Despite various tobacco control measures implemented in Indonesia, such as raising taxes on tobacco products, free smoking cessation consultation services, and establishing smoke-free zones, smoking rates among adolescents have remained persistently high.

Technology-based interventions, particularly mobile health (mHealth) applications, have emerged as promising tools for promoting smoking cessation. The widespread use of smartphones among adolescents, with Indonesia being the fourth-largest smartphone market globally, presents a unique opportunity to leverage mHealth interventions to reduce smoking rates. However, the effectiveness of mHealth applications for smoking cessation has shown inconsistent results, particularly in LMICs where accessibility, engagement, and content relevance may differ from those in high-income countries.

Previous studies have demonstrated that while mHealth applications can help individuals quit smoking in the short term, their long-term effectiveness remains unclear, especially among adolescent populations. There is a growing body of literature highlighting the importance of tailoring interventions to the unique needs of adolescents, taking into account developmental stages, peer influence, and social media dynamics. However, there is a significant gap in the availability of mHealth applications designed specifically for adolescents in Indonesia, and the existing tools often fail to integrate critical elements such as behavioral change techniques, social support, and interactive features.

This study aims to address these gaps by developing an innovative mHealth intervention designed specifically for adolescent smokers in Indonesia. The intervention will be grounded in behavioral change theories such as the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) and the Transtheoretical Model (TTM). UTAUT2 will ensure that the app is accepted, used, and engaging for adolescents, taking into account the influence of peers, ease of use, and intrinsic motivation factors. TTM will guide the app design by allowing it to adapt to the adolescent's specific stage in the smoking cessation process, providing tailored content and support. Together, these frameworks will make the mHealth app both effective, promoting long-term behavior change, relevant for adolescent smokers and better smoking cessation outcomes in Indonesia.