Abstract
Background Information regarding patterns of smartphone usage, user preferences, and difficulties faced by patients is necessary to initiate any mHealth related programs. Objective To investigate patterns of usage pertaining to various different smartphone health applications amongst diabetic patients in Saudi Arabia as well as patient preferences and the challenges of using health apps from a user perspective. Methods This study was a cross sectional survey based on a self-administered, close-ended, pre-designed, structured questionnaire. The main emphasis of the questions were as follows: (a) to investigate current patterns of smartphone use, (b) to examine the use of mobile for health applications and (c) to understand patient preferences when it comes to the specific health related use of mobile phone apps (d) to accrue patient feedback in using health apps. Results 36.62% of the study population reported using health applications. Patients preferred to follow up blood sugar measurements, body weight, exercise accomplishments, and caloric intake through a health application. More than a third of the participants who were surveyed found the health apps to be very easy to understand with an equal number of participants responding that some training was either necessary. Approximately 32.54% of the respondents indicated that they did not want to know about their health. However, almost an equal number of participants responded that they were unsure of how to start on health apps. Conclusion The results of this survey indicate that there is huge potential for utilizing these health applications via smartphones in the implementation of various health programs.