USES AND GRATIFICATIONS OF MOBILE HEALTH APPLICATIONS FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES AMONG CIVIL SERVANTS IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

Nowadays, deployment of digital technologies in health communications has positioned mobile health applications (mhealth apps) as critical tools for healthcare services. Anchored on health belief model and uses and gratifications theory, this study examines the uses of m-health apps, gratifications obtained, and the dominant m-health apps used for healthcare services, among civil servants in Anambra State. A convergent parallel design (mixed-method design), comprising survey and in-depth interview, was adopted. A sample size of 378 civil servants, from 37 ministries, departments and agencies, was determined via Cochran’s formula, but only 370 responses were returned and analysed. Quantitative data were obtained using structured questionnaire, while qualitative data were collected via in-depth interview, from (n=10) participants, who were purposively selected. Quantitative data analyses adopted descriptive statistics, and qualitative data analyses espoused thematic approach. Survey findings revealed Ovulation Calculator as the dominant m-health app, and civil servants in Anambra State used m-health apps for monitoring their weight, sugar level, cholesterol, ovulation, monthly cycles, mainly through their GSM smartphones. In-depth interview revealed similar uses, but added: tracking health status, physical fitness, consultation with healthcare experts, and access to general health-related tips. Major gratifications identified were: improved access to health services, reduced healthcare costs, convenience, time efficiency, and enhanced preventive healthcare practice. The researchers conclude that civil servants in Anambra State find m-health apps effective in satisfying their healthcare concerns; and recommend improved regulatory frameworks for m-health apps’ content accuracy, data privacy, and affordable access to healthcare via mobile technologies.