JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Despite the increased development and use of mobile health (mHealth) devices during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is little knowledge of Chinese willingness to use mHealth devices and the key factors associated with their usage in the post-COVID-19 era. Therefore, a more comprehensive and multi-angle investigation is necessary.

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to probe Chinese attitudes regarding the use of mHealth and analyze possible associations between the attitude of willingness to use mHealth devices and some factors based on the socioecological model (SEM).

Methods:

A survey was conducted by quota sampling to recruit participants from 148 cities in China between 20 June 2022 and 31 August 2022. Data from the survey were analyzed using multiple stepwise regression to examine the factors associated with the willingness to use mHealth devices. Standardized regression coefficients (β) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using multiple stepwise regression.

Results:

The survey contained 21916 questionnaires collection, and 21897 were valid questionnaires, with a 99.91% effective rate. The median score of willingness to use mHealth in the post-COVID-19 era was 70 points on a scale of 0-100. Multiple stepwise regression results showed that female (β = 0.03; 95% CI 1.04-2.35), openness personality trait (β = 0.05; 95% CI 0.53-0.96), higher household per capita monthly income (β = 0.03; 95% CI 0.77-2.24), commercial and multiple insurance (β = 0.04; 95% CI 1.77-3.47) were the associated factors of willingness to use mHealth devices. Additionally, people with high scores of health literacy (β = 0.13; 95% CI 0.53-0.68), self-reported health rating (β = 0.22; 95% CI 0.24-0.27), social support (β = 0.08; 95% CI 0.40-0.61), family health (β = 0.03; 95% CI 0.03-0.16), neighbor relations (β = 0.12; 95% CI 2.09-2.63), and family social status (β = 0.07; 95% CI 1.19-1.69) were more likely to use mHealth devices.

Conclusions:

Based on the theoretical framework of SEM, this study identified factors specifically associated with Chinese willingness to use mHealth devices in the post-COVID-19 era. These findings provide reference information for the research, development, promotion, and application of future mHealth devices. Clinical Trial: The study was registered in the China Clinical Trial Registry (Registration No. ChiCTR2200061046).