Arabic Wellness Apps in the MENA Region and Saudi Arabia: Current Evidence and Systematic Evaluation

Background/Objectives: Recent advancements in digital health have facilitated the expansion of mobile health (mHealth) apps. This study examines the top-ranked Arabic wellness mHealth apps in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and evaluates wellness apps in Saudi Arabia for their potential to promote health-related behavior change using the App Behavior Change Scale (ABACUS). Methods: A cross-sectional review was conducted using a systematic three-phase approach to identify and evaluate Arabic wellness apps, with the dataset extracted from the Sensor Tower platform. In Phase 1, apps were identified based on predefined country, language, and wellness criteria. In Phase 2, app descriptions were screened for behavior change features. In Phase 3, eligible apps available in Saudi Arabia were downloaded and evaluated using the ABACUS. Results: Egypt had the highest number of identified Arabic wellness apps (n = 9), followed by Iraq and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (n = 8 each), while Yemen had the fewest identified apps. For potential behavior change apps, Tunisia and the UAE had the highest apps (n = 7), whereas Yemen and Libya had the lowest (n = 1 each). All Arabic wellness apps identified in Saudi Arabia were classified as promoting physical activity with only one app encouraging healthy eating. The total ABACUS scores were relatively consistent, ranging from 15 to 17 out of 21. Conclusions: Arabic mHealth wellness apps identified across the included MENA countries were limited in number, while apps available in Saudi Arabia showed variability in the incorporation of behavior change features.