Assessing intention to use mobile phone-based self-management support among adults with type 2 diabetes in Saudi...

The use of mobile phone technology for chronic illness self-management is growing, and it may help people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Innovative methods are needed to improve patient involvement and disease management in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia due to the high incidence of T2DM.

The purpose of this study was to explore how the T2DM patients in KSA utilizes their mobile phones for self-management.

A cross-sectional study was conducted between April and June 2025 among T2DM patients who were attending endocrinologists for their diabetes management in the Northern Border region (Rafha and Arar) and the Central region (Riyadh) in KSA using a validated questionnaire.

This study included a total of 267 participants with T2DM. Nearly all participants (99.3%) possess a cellphone, with 94.8% having daily internet access. The majority of the patients reported to have an intention to use mobile phones and the internet for managing diabetes, with 78.3% for dietary planning, 79.4% for physical activity planning, and 78.7% for text messages as reminders. Factors such as female (p = 0.008), younger age (p = 0.001), and duration of diabetes (p = <0.001) were significantly associated with the intention to use mobile apps for managing their diabetes.

This study demonstrates a significantly higher inclination of participants toward mobile phone technology for diabetes self-management vs. face-to-face consultations. These findings highlight the promising role of mobile phone technology for enhancing diabetes self-management among T2DM patients, thus highlighting the need for targeted interventions.