November 2025, Volume 3, Issue 11

Author

Lalithambigai Chellamuthu, Thamizhmaran Sundararajan and J Jenifer Florence Mary

Abstract

Introduction: Mobile health (mHealth) promises to enhance healthcare delivery in resource-constrained settings, yet provider adoption remains suboptimal. This study assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to mHealth among healthcare providers in a tertiary care hospital in Puducherry, India. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from September to November 2024 among 410 randomly selected providers. A face-validated, semi-structured questionnaire captured demographics, digital device ownership, information-seeking behavior, and mHealth KAP. Descriptive statistics summarized responses; associations with awareness were analyzed using chi-square tests, with p<0.05 considered significant. Results: Universal smartphone ownership (100%) contrasted with low mHealth awareness (34.9%, 95% CI: 30.4%-39.6%) and minimal clinical use (16.1%, 95% CI: 12.9%-20.0%) of mHealth applications. While 82.0% (95% CI: 77.9%-85.4%) were willing to use mHealth, only 13.4% (95% CI: 10.5%-17.1%) had prescribed apps to patients. Medical (OR: 2.89, p=0.004) and dental (OR: 3.66, p=0.002) professionals exhibited higher awareness than pharmacists. Computer/laptop ownership (OR: 4.02, p<0.0001), combined mobile data and Wi-Fi access (OR: 3.78, p<0.001), and frequent health information seeking (OR: 42.73, p=0.0028) were strong predictors of awareness. Colleagues served as the primary information source (69.2%). Conclusion: Targeted digital literacy programs, institutional support, and streamlined integration of mHealth into clinical workflows are essential to bridge the gap between willingness and practice in resource-limited settings.