Prevalence and Determinants of Mobile Health Applications Usage: A National Descriptive Study

Samar A. Amer; Samar A. Amer; Samar A. Amer; Ayah Bahumayim; Jaffer Shah; Nouf Aleisa; Basma M. Hani; Doaa I. Omar

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2022.838509

Frontiers in Public Health (Apr 2022)

Prevalence and Determinants of Mobile Health Applications Usage: A National Descriptive Study

Samar A. Amer,
Samar A. Amer,
Samar A. Amer,
Ayah Bahumayim,
Jaffer Shah,
Nouf Aleisa,
Basma M. Hani,
Doaa I. Omar

Affiliations

Samar A. Amer: Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
Samar A. Amer: Member at Royal College of General Practitioners, London, United Kingdom
Samar A. Amer: Department of Mental Health Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nova University, Lisbon, Portugal
Ayah Bahumayim: Health Education Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Jaffer Shah: Medical Research Center, Kateb University, Kabul, Afghanistan
Nouf Aleisa: Health Education Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, The General Directorate of Clinical Health Education Department, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Basma M. Hani: Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt
Doaa I. Omar: Department of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.838509
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 10

Abstract

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We aimed to determine the prevalence of MHAs' usage and explore the context and determinants of using MHAs among inhabitants in Saudi Arabia (SA). This cross-sectional study randomly selected 679 adult inhabitants from the 20 health regions in SA through an electronic, self-administered, well-structured, and validated Arabic questionnaire. The prevalence of using MHAs was 47.9%, and it was significantly higher among younger, Saudis, highly educated, and working participants, as well as those with chronic diseases (p < 0.05). The main motives for using MHAs were to promote health status (68.6%) and to lose weight (33.2%). The most used apps were related to daily steps-counting (54.2%), and among females was tracking ovulation period apps (43.5%). The most common reported advantage of using MHAs was saving time (64%). Despite the potential benefits of MHAs, they were used by only about half of the study participants in SA. The most effective MHAs in improving health status were exercise, calorie-related, water uptake, and daily steps-counting apps. Policymakers looking to address reform aimed at improving health with mobile apps will find our study interesting.

Published in Frontiers in Public Health

ISSN: 2296-2565 (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Public aspects of medicine
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health

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