Exploring the factors influencing the intention to use mHealth applications in resource scare settings; a SEM analysis among future nurses

Mobile health applications (mHealth apps) in the healthcare industry are rapidly expanding, offering new opportunities for improving healthcare delivery, accessibility, and patient outcomes. They transformed the way medical services are delivered, particularly in resource-scarce settings. The success of these applications largely depends on their acceptance and adoption by healthcare professionals, including nurses. Understanding the factors that influence the intention to use these technologies is essential for designing applications that effectively meet the needs of future healthcare providers. This study aims to empirically explore factors influencing the intention to use mHealth apps among nursing students. A quantitative, exploratory survey tested and validated using the PLS-SEM on a convenience sample of 567 students from two Indian institutes. Findings reveal that ease of use plays a central role in shaping students' willingness to adopt mHealth apps, with time efficiency emerging as a significant determinant. Students were more likely to use these apps when they seamlessly fit into their routines and enhanced their workflow. Social influences, including peer encouragement and institutional support, significantly shaped their attitudes toward adoption. Privacy and trust concerns also played a crucial role, as students expressed a need for secure platforms that protect sensitive health information while ensuring reliability. Additionally, affordability influenced how users perceived accessibility and usability, highlighting the need for cost-effective solutions. However, researchers found that demographic factors such as age, gender, and study year had minimal influence. The study findings emphasize Prioritizing usability, security, and affordability can enhance mHealth app adoption, particularly in resource-limited setting. • Study integrates constructs from established models like TAM and UTAUT, creating a robust conceptual framework tailored to mHealth adoption in resource-limited settings. • By targeting nursing students, the study examines the perspectives of future healthcare professionals, providing valuable insights for long-term implementation of mHealth technologies. • Behavioral intention to use mHealth application was significantly influenced by time, social influence, trust, and perceived ease of use. • While privacy concerns existed, trust emerged as a critical factor, with many participants willing to share health data if privacy is ensured. • mHealth apps must be trusted, affordable, and simple; implementers should use social influence to drive adoption in low-resource areas.