The role of culture in the adoption of mobile applications for the self‑management of diabetes in low resourced urban communities

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus has been documented as a global health problem with a high mortality rate. In the current digital age, the use of technology to overcome such health problems in pursuance of Sustainable Development Goal 3 is widely recognised. The increased penetration of mobile devices provides one avenue to support the self-management of conditions such as diabetes. As a first step towards this, individuals have to first accept and use the technology. However, the literature indicates low levels of technology use amongst diabetic patients with low socio-economic indicators. We posit that the culture of patients is a contributory factor for the low acceptance and use of technology. This study assessed how culture influences mobile health (m-health) acceptance among diabetic patients from low-resourced urban communities through semi-structured interviews. The theoretical model that was used as a lens for the investigation comprised a juxtaposition of Hofstede's cultural dimensions and the Unified-Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2).

Description

Keywords

Technology, Diabetes, Self-management, Culture, Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Jacobs‑Basadien, M. et al. (2022). The role of culture in the adoption of mobile applications for the self‑management of diabetes in low resourced urban communities. Universal Access in the Information Society, 22(1), 37-49. 10.1007/s10209-022-00951-2