Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Mobile health (mHealth) applications are widely acknowledged as beneficial interventions for enhancing medication adherence in patients with chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Despite the extensive smartphone prevalence in Saudi Arabia, the practical utilization of mHealth applications for diabetes self-management remains constrained. This study aimed to investigate the attitudes, willingness, and obstacles regarding the use of mHealth applications for medication adherence among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed with 489 adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus across healthcare facilities and digital platforms in Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire had five domains: demographics, technological utilization, attitudes, willingness, and perceived obstacles. Descriptive analyses were conducted with SPSS. FINDINGS: The majority of participants had a favorable disposition toward mHealth tools. The majority concurred that applications may facilitate adherence and favored interfaces in Arabic. Whereas 71.0% indicated a readiness to utilize mHealth, barely 37.0% were actively employing such applications. Principal obstacles encompassed forgetfulness, feelings of being overwhelmed, adverse effects, financial constraints, and restricted digital accessibility. Cultural and behavioral factors, including the utilization of herbal treatments and religious considerations, also impacted app usage. CONCLUSION: mHealth possesses significant potential to enhance medication adherence among Saudi patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, successful implementation relies on overcoming behavioral, cultural, and infrastructural obstacles. These findings underscore the necessity for customized, Arabic-compatible digital health solutions that match with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.