Types, Pattern And User Satisfaction Regarding Mobile Health Applications Among The General Population In Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Mobile health (mHealth) applications are emerging as essential tools for promoting health awareness, self-management, and access to healthcare services. In Saudi Arabia, widespread smartphone adoption and government-supported digital health initiatives have facilitated the use of applications such as Seha, Mawid, Tawakkalna, Tabaud, and Tetamman. However, despite the growing prevalence of such applications, few studies have examined the related usage patterns, user satisfaction, and demographic influences among the general population. To address this gap in the literature, this study sought to examine the types, patterns, and levels of satisfaction associated with mHealth application use in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional design was employed, with 375 adult smartphone users recruited via convenience sampling. Data were collected via a self-administered online questionnaire assessing sociodemographic factors, application types, and usage patterns, while user satisfaction was measured on a 12-item Likert scale. The results indicated that general health (52.3%) and fitness (38.7%) applications were most commonly used, with monthly, daily, and weekly engagement reported most frequently. Overall satisfaction with these applications was high (mean = 48.76, standard deviation = 7.20), particularly regarding the usability and acceptability. Yet satisfaction differed significantly by gender, monthly income, and frequency of use, whereas age, education, and nationality had no significant effects. These findings highlight the importance of user-friendly design, clear instructions, and privacy protections to promote sustained engagement in terms of mHealth applications. This underscores the need for tailored strategies to enhance mHealth adoption, optimize the user experience, and support equitable and effective digital health delivery in Saudi Arabia.