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Using a socioecological framework and user-centred design approach, the objective of this study was to understand the context in which parents use their devices and their preferences for a digital programme. The formative research phase of the electronic healthy environments (eHEROs) study used a multiple-methods design, consisting of a quantitative survey (n\u2009=\u2009116) and a semi-structured qualitative interview (n\u2009=\u200916). Individual- (i.e. digital literacy) and environment-level (i.e. home internet connection) factors were associated with likelihood to participate and preferences for intervention format. Participants outlined key preferences for mobile app content, including modality (audio and video with text), flow (access), and duration (5\u201315-min lessons). Motivation for participation related to the relevance of the content, feelings of accomplishment, and creative and engaging packaging. Lastly, participants desired opportunities to build community and connect with other parents, preferably through group meetings. Identifying and incorporating the population\u2019s preferences and requirements into the digital design are needed to optimize adoption, engagement, and retention of intervention use.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1093\/her\/cyaf024","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,5,12]],"date-time":"2025-05-12T07:42:28Z","timestamp":1747035748000},"source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["Understanding parents\u2019 digital use and preferences for an mHealth intervention in low-income, rural settings"],"prefix":"10.1093","volume":"40","author":[{"given":"Ligia I","family":"Reyes","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University , Ithaca, NY 14853 ,","place":["United States"]},{"name":"Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University , University Park, PA 16802 ,","place":["United States"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Susan L","family":"Johnson","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus , Aurora, CO 80045 ,","place":["United States"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Shariwa","family":"Oke","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University , Ithaca, NY 14853 ,","place":["United States"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Beatriz A","family":"Carmona","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University , Ithaca, NY 14853 ,","place":["United States"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5317-5037","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Laura L","family":"Bellows","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University , Ithaca, NY 14853 ,","place":["United States"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"286","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,1]]},"reference":[{"key":"2026071706415354000_ref1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1183","DOI":"10.1038\/s41591-020-1011-4","article-title":"Digital technologies in the public-health response to COVID-19","volume":"26","author":"Budd","year":"2020","journal-title":"Nat Med"},{"key":"2026071706415354000_ref2","article-title":"Digital 2024: global overview report. 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