Persian mHealth app usability questionnaire (P- MAUQ): adaptation and validation study

Abstract Background The mHealth app usability questionnaire (MAUQ) is a widely recognized tool for assessing the usability of mHealth applications developed in 2019. However, its effectiveness depends on alignment with the linguistic and cultural context of the target users. A Persian version of the MAUQ is necessary to address the needs of Persian-speaking populations, where language barriers and cultural nuances limit the applicability of non-localized tools. This study focuses on translating and validating the Persian version of the MAUQ (P-MAUQ), enabling its use in Persian-speaking countries. Methods This Applied methodological research, cross-cultural adaptation, and validation study involved translating and validating the MAUQ for interactive and standalone mHealth apps into Persian. The process consisted of two main phases: (1) translation and adaptation of the English version of the MAUQ, including forward translation, joint review, backward translation, and finalization through three panels with six experts, and (2) face and content validity assessments using expert feedback, and reliability testing through user evaluations of two widely used Persian mHealth apps (Karafs and Paziresh24). Data analysis was performed using Excel and SPSS software to calculate key metrics, including the Content Validity Ratio (CVR), Content Validity Index (CVI), Face Validity Index (FVI), and Cronbach’s alpha for assessing validity and reliability. Results The translated and adapted interactive and standalone P-MAUQ versions achieved full expert agreement after the review and reconciliation process. The original MAUQ included 18 items for standalone apps and 21 for interactive apps divided into three domains: ease of use, user interface, and usefulness. The Persian version retained these structures. The Content Validity Ratio (CVR) ranged from 0.60 to 1, the Content Validity Index (CVI) ranged from 0.87 to 1, and the Face Validity Index (FVI) ranged from 0.80 to 1, indicating strong validity. Reliability testing yielded Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.959 for the interactive version and 0.927 for the standalone version, confirming high reliability. Conclusions The P-MAUQ is a validated tool for evaluating mHealth app usability among Persian-speaking users, enhancing app development and healthcare delivery in Iran. Its methodological approach is a model for adapting usability tools in other cultural contexts, enabling cross-language usability comparisons and fostering global insights into app performance and user engagement. To effectively utilize the tool, training and promotion are recommended among end users, medical informatics specialists, health information technology professionals, and digital health policymakers.