Evaluating user satisfaction and engagement in mHealth: Insights from the Integrated Digital Health Engagement Model (IDHEM).

Introduction: In recent years, mobile health (mHealth) applications have revolutionized healthcare by improving accessibility, boosting patient engagement, and simplifying health management processes. However, despite their increasing popularity, there is still a significant lack of understanding regarding how demographic factors shape user perceptions and interactions with these tools. Objective: This research aims to assess user satisfaction and the perceived value of the Sehhaty app among residents of Hail City, Saudi Arabia, while also examining how demographic variables influence user engagement. The findings emphasize the necessity of incorporating demographic insights into the design of mHealth applications and introduce the Integrated Digital Health Engagement Model (IDHEM) as a novel theoretical framework. Method: A cross-sectional study design was implemented, using an electronic survey distributed to 333 users of the Sehhaty app. The survey evaluated key aspects such as ease of use, user satisfaction, system information organization, and perceived usefulness. Convenience sampling was utilized to ensure participation from a wide range of demographic groups. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis were conducted to explore the relationships between demographic characteristics and user perceptions. Results: The study revealed high levels of user satisfaction, with 94% of participants reporting that the app was easy to use, resulting in an overall satisfaction score of 4.56 out of 5. Significant correlations were identified between demographic factors like age, gender, and employment status, suggesting that personalized development approaches can significantly enhance user engagement. Conclusion: The Sehhaty app shows great promise in enhancing healthcare access and management, especially among younger and female users. The findings underscore the importance of considering demographic factors in the design of mHealth applications to better meet diverse user needs. Additionally, this study introduces the IDHEM, providing a new framework for understanding user behavior and guiding the development of future digital health solutions.