Attitudes of Elderly Population Toward Mobile Health Applications in Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional...

Background: The rapid advancement of mobile health [mHealth] applications significantly improved healthcare accessibility. However, the adoption of these applications among the elderly population remains uncertain. This study aims to assess the attitudes of elderly individuals in the Aseer region, Saudi Arabia, toward mobile health applications, focusing on awareness, perceived benefits, usability concerns, and privacy issues. The findings will help guide strategies to enhance digital health adoption among older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among elderly individuals [≥60 years] residing in the Aseer region. A total of 500 participants were recruited using a non-probability convenient sampling technique. Data were collected through structured face-to-face interviews utilizing a validated questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, awareness, usage patterns, perceived benefits, and barriers to mHealth applications. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 23.0. Results: The study included 500 elderly individuals in the Aseer region, Saudi Arabia. The majority of participants [70.4%] were aware of mobile health applications, with higher awareness among younger elderly [60-69 years, p = 0.008], individuals with higher income [p = 0.015], and those living with family [p < 0.001]. Mobile health apps were widely used, primarily for contacting healthcare providers [83.8%], managing appointments [79.4%], and medication management [79.2%]. Participants perceived these apps as highly useful, particularly for disease monitoring [mean = 4.34] and healthcare communication [mean = 4.34]. Awareness was negatively correlated with age [r = -0.109, p = 0.015], emphasizing the need for targeted educational interventions to enhance digital health adoption among older populations. Conclusions: Despite growing awareness, mHealth application usage remains limited among the elderly in the Aseer region due to digital literacy challenges and usability concerns. Addressing these barriers through user-friendly designs, targeted education, and privacy assurance measures may enhance adoption. Policymakers and healthcare providers should implement tailored interventions to promote digital health solutions for this population.