Willingness to pay for health apps, its sociodemographic correlates, and reasons for being unwilling to pay

Abstract

Background Knowledge about whether, how much, and why individuals are willing to pay for health apps is limited. Objectives This study aimed to examine (1) the proportion of individuals willing to pay for health apps, (2) their willingness to pay (WTP; i.e. the maximum price the individual is willing to pay) for health apps, (3) the sociodemographic correlates determining whether individuals are willing to pay for these apps, (4) the sociodemographic correlates of their WTP, and (5) reasons for being unwilling to pay. Methods Six hundred adults were invited to participate in a questionnaire survey examining their sociodemographic characteristics, WTP for health apps, and reasons for being unwilling to pay. Sociodemographic characteristics and WTP for health apps were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Logistic regression was applied to examine the sociodemographic variables correlated with whether individuals were willing to pay for health apps. Among those who were willing to pay, log-linear regression was conducted to examine the sociodemographic correlates of their WTP. The reasons for unwillingness to pay were descriptively analyzed. Results A total of 577 individuals completed the questionnaire. Of them, 58.9% were willing to pay for health apps. Their median WTP was HK$50 (HK$1 ≈ US$0.13). Participants with a bachelor's degree or higher and those who had previously installed health apps were more inclined to pay for health apps. WTP was positively associated with the maximum price previously paid for a health app. The most frequently cited reasons for being unwilling to pay were the belief that the government should provide free health apps, distrust in health apps, and a lack of awareness of health apps and their benefits. Conclusions This study provides insights that can inform strategies to enhance the marketability, affordability, and accessibility of health apps.