Digital Health in Saudi Arabia: A Descriptive Study of User Perspectives, Adoption Rates, Benefits, and Challenges of Digital Health Applications
Background: Digital health applications have emerged as transformative tools within healthcare systems globally. This study investigates the perceptions, adoption, perceived benefits and challenges, and factors involved in the selection of digital health apps among the residents of Riyadh city, Saud...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Riyadh Second Health Cluster Research Center, King Fahad Medical City (KFMC)
2025-08-01
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| Series: | The Journal of Medicine, Law & Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.jmlph.net/index.php/jmlph/article/view/229 |
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| _version_ | 1850038709293940736 |
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| author | Alia Almoajel Nawaf Alnuwaysir Adel Ghazzai Alotaibi Hanan Alzaidi Haifa Alturki Reem Alsaeed Waleed Alsubhan Mohammed Almadhi Mohammed Muhawwis Shabana Tharkar |
| author_facet | Alia Almoajel Nawaf Alnuwaysir Adel Ghazzai Alotaibi Hanan Alzaidi Haifa Alturki Reem Alsaeed Waleed Alsubhan Mohammed Almadhi Mohammed Muhawwis Shabana Tharkar |
| author_sort | Alia Almoajel |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Digital health applications have emerged as transformative tools within healthcare systems globally. This study investigates the perceptions, adoption, perceived benefits and challenges, and factors involved in the selection of digital health apps among the residents of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated, self-administered online questionnaire targeting residents of Riyadh aged 18 years and older. A total of 444 participants were recruited through convenience sampling via social media platforms.
Results: Among the respondents, 90% reported using digital health applications, with Sehhaty being the most commonly used. Over 75% rated these applications as effective in improving quality of life (QoL). Key benefits included improved healthcare access, appointment booking, health awareness, and time efficiency. Fitness tracking was the most used app category (57.2%). Despite positive perceptions, 22% reported challenges, including technical difficulties and limited app compatibility. Ease of use was the most important factor (92.1%) when choosing a health app.
Conclusion: Digital health applications have been widely adopted in Riyadh and are perceived to enhance QoL through improved access, convenience, and personal health management. The findings highlight strong user satisfaction and a growing interest in preventive care. Expanding digital health features, enhancing awareness, and integrating AI-based tools are recommended to further support health outcomes and national digital health goals.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-79bfbc826d284814bb010d553f8d2028 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2788-9815 2788-791X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Riyadh Second Health Cluster Research Center, King Fahad Medical City (KFMC) |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Journal of Medicine, Law & Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-79bfbc826d284814bb010d553f8d20282025-08-20T02:56:31ZengRiyadh Second Health Cluster Research Center, King Fahad Medical City (KFMC)The Journal of Medicine, Law & Public Health2788-98152788-791X2025-08-015410.52609/jmlph.v5i4.229Digital Health in Saudi Arabia: A Descriptive Study of User Perspectives, Adoption Rates, Benefits, and Challenges of Digital Health ApplicationsAlia Almoajel0Nawaf Alnuwaysir1Adel Ghazzai Alotaibi2Hanan Alzaidi3Haifa Alturki4Reem Alsaeed5Waleed Alsubhan6Mohammed Almadhi7Mohammed Muhawwis8Shabana Tharkar9Department of Community Health Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Department of Community Health Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Department of Community Health Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Department of Community Health Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Department of Community Health Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Department of Community Health Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Department of Community Health Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Department of Community Health Science, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Background: Digital health applications have emerged as transformative tools within healthcare systems globally. This study investigates the perceptions, adoption, perceived benefits and challenges, and factors involved in the selection of digital health apps among the residents of Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated, self-administered online questionnaire targeting residents of Riyadh aged 18 years and older. A total of 444 participants were recruited through convenience sampling via social media platforms. Results: Among the respondents, 90% reported using digital health applications, with Sehhaty being the most commonly used. Over 75% rated these applications as effective in improving quality of life (QoL). Key benefits included improved healthcare access, appointment booking, health awareness, and time efficiency. Fitness tracking was the most used app category (57.2%). Despite positive perceptions, 22% reported challenges, including technical difficulties and limited app compatibility. Ease of use was the most important factor (92.1%) when choosing a health app. Conclusion: Digital health applications have been widely adopted in Riyadh and are perceived to enhance QoL through improved access, convenience, and personal health management. The findings highlight strong user satisfaction and a growing interest in preventive care. Expanding digital health features, enhancing awareness, and integrating AI-based tools are recommended to further support health outcomes and national digital health goals. https://www.jmlph.net/index.php/jmlph/article/view/229AttitudesHealth KnowledgeMobile ApplicationsPracticeQuality of LifeSaudia Arabia |
| spellingShingle | Alia Almoajel Nawaf Alnuwaysir Adel Ghazzai Alotaibi Hanan Alzaidi Haifa Alturki Reem Alsaeed Waleed Alsubhan Mohammed Almadhi Mohammed Muhawwis Shabana Tharkar Digital Health in Saudi Arabia: A Descriptive Study of User Perspectives, Adoption Rates, Benefits, and Challenges of Digital Health Applications The Journal of Medicine, Law & Public Health Attitudes Health Knowledge Mobile Applications Practice Quality of Life Saudia Arabia |
| title | Digital Health in Saudi Arabia: A Descriptive Study of User Perspectives, Adoption Rates, Benefits, and Challenges of Digital Health Applications |
| title_full | Digital Health in Saudi Arabia: A Descriptive Study of User Perspectives, Adoption Rates, Benefits, and Challenges of Digital Health Applications |
| title_fullStr | Digital Health in Saudi Arabia: A Descriptive Study of User Perspectives, Adoption Rates, Benefits, and Challenges of Digital Health Applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Digital Health in Saudi Arabia: A Descriptive Study of User Perspectives, Adoption Rates, Benefits, and Challenges of Digital Health Applications |
| title_short | Digital Health in Saudi Arabia: A Descriptive Study of User Perspectives, Adoption Rates, Benefits, and Challenges of Digital Health Applications |
| title_sort | digital health in saudi arabia a descriptive study of user perspectives adoption rates benefits and challenges of digital health applications |
| topic | Attitudes Health Knowledge Mobile Applications Practice Quality of Life Saudia Arabia |
| url | https://www.jmlph.net/index.php/jmlph/article/view/229 |
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