Table 5 Number of apps in each category complying with HONcode principles
HONcode principles | DM (n = 20) | DM and SP (n = 3) | SP (n = 46) | Total (n = 69) | p* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Authoritative: qualifications of the authors are indicated | 8 (40%) | 2 (67%) | 3 (7%) | 13 (19%) | < 0.001 |
Complementarity: information should support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship | 9 (45%) | 2 (67%) | 19 (41%) | 30 (43%) | 0.688 |
Privacy: respect the privacy and confidentiality of personal data submitted by the user | 14 (70%) | 3 (100%) | 27 (59%) | 44 (64%) | 0.327 |
Attribution: cite the source(s) of published information, date medical, and health pages | 4 (20%) | – | 6 (13%) | 10 (14%) | 0.675 |
Justifiability: site must back up claims relating to benefits and performance | 8 (40%) | – | – | 8 (12%) | < 0.001 |
Transparency: accurate email contact | 20 (100%) | 3 (100%) | 43 (93%) | 66 (96%) | 0.605 |
Financial disclosure: identify funding sources | 14 (70%) | 3 (100%) | 34 (74%) | 51 (74%) | 0.713 |
Advertising policy: clearly distinguish advertising from editorial content | There was no advertisements in the assessed apps | ||||