Mobile Apps for Migrant Workers in China

Background and Purpose: China has been experiencing one of the largest demographic transitions in history with the migration of over 200 million rural residents to urban areas for work. As non-residents of the urban areas, many workers often lack access to social services and knowledge about how to protect their health and create a stable future. Apps present innovative opportunities to connect the workers with information and services to improve social conditions and wellbeing. In China, the number of Internet users has increased from 420 million to 632 million, at the penetration rates of 31.8% and 46.9%, between 2010 and 2015. The majority of migrant workers access the Internet through mobile devices, rather than computers or laptops. Mobile technology presents an innovative medium to connect workers with information and resources. However, there has been limited research on the use of apps to facilitate the delivery of social and behavioral health services. The study has analyzed relevant literature and mobile apps in Western countries to inform the prototype development of apps for migrant workers in China.

Methods: A systematic review of existing literature was conducted to examine the primary functions, strengths, and limitations of mobile apps to increase the access of underserved populations, such as Chinese migrant workers, to information and services. Through categories and keyword searches, relevant apps on Apple’s App Store and Google Play were identified, analyzed and compared to the research literature. In particular, seven apps with different functions were selected and analyzed to assess their strengths and limitations.

Results: In Western countries, related apps, many of which were first designed for usage in medical purposes, serve one or more of the following functions: resource location, reference tools, and self-assessment and symptom management. The functions have different degrees of connection between individual users and service providers, ranging from passive, information only to active, dynamic interaction. A systematic survey of existing literature and apps has found the strengths of apps in facilitating social and behavioral health services to include accessibility, functionality, engagement, social networking, and privacy. Challenges include high cost of app development, user research, data security, ongoing maintenance, and difficulty in finding a specific app. A prototype of mobile apps for the delivery and provision of health and social services in the context of Chinese migrant workers is developed.

Conclusions and Implications: Results highlight the potential of apps to increase the access of difficult-to-reach population such as Chinese migrant workers to information and services in the social and behavioral health fields. However, service awareness by accessing to information should only be seen as an initial step, future studies should evaluate the effectiveness of various functions in service engagement, usage and outcomes within the population.