Effect of Health Information Privacy Concerns on Usage of mHealth Apps, Having Trust in mHealth App Security as a Mediator and Higher Authority Support as a Moderator

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of health information privacy concerns on the usage of mHealth apps, with trust in mHealth app security acting as a mediator and higher authority support acting as a moderator.

Design/Methodology: Using a convenience sampling technique, data was collected from 220 staff and patients of various private hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan, through a structured questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS to test the hypothesized relationships.

Findings: The results confirmed that health information privacy concerns significantly impact both trust in mHealth app security and the actual usage of mHealth apps. Trust in mHealth app security was found to mediate the relationship between privacy concerns and app usage. Furthermore, higher authority support moderated the relationship between trust in app security and mHealth app usage such that the relationship strengthened in the presence of higher support.

Significance: While extensive research exists on digital health adoption, limited attention has been given to the combined effect of privacy concerns, security trust, and institutional support. This study offers a unique contribution by empirically validating the mediating role of trust and the moderating effect of higher authority support, especially in a developing country context.

Research limitations: The cross-sectional nature of the study limits causal inference. The use of convenience sampling may result in selection bias and limit the generalizability of results. Furthermore, relying solely on quantitative methods restricts the exploration of in-depth user perspectives. Future research should adopt longitudinal or qualitative designs to enrich understanding of these dynamics over time.

Implications: This research provides actionable insights for healthcare policymakers, digital health app developers, and hospital administrators by highlighting the importance of user trust and regulatory endorsement in enhancing mHealth app adoption. Strategic focus on data security and institutional backing can mitigate privacy concerns and foster user engagement in digital health platforms.