Smartphone Apps-Based Health Communication Media Usage among Older Individuals During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of System Quality Factors

Abstract

During covid-19 pandemic, health education was performed by using online media, such as smartphone apps-based health communication media. Furthermore, middle and older individuals, 45 to 60 years old, were categorized as vulnerable during the pandemic. Thus, it was important to study smartphone apps-based health communication media usage of 45 to 60 years old individuals during the pandemic. However, there was no previous research that developed and tested a model of smartphone apps-based health communication media usage of 45 to 60 years old individuals during the pandemic. Given this, this study aimed to develop and test a model of smartphone apps-based health communication media usage of 45 to 60 years old individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. More specifically, this study aimed to test the effect of system quality factors (ease of use, security, and interactivity), information timeliness, information completeness, information sources trustworthiness, perceived threat of COVID-19, and social environment support on smartphone apps-based health communication media usage. The research was conducted using a cross-sectional design. The data were collected through a survey method in the district and city of Tangerang. The survey locations were chosen due to the location’s internet access and the COVID-19 pandemic problems. The number of samples was 105. The data were analyzed using multiple regressions analysis. The results of the research showed that the smartphone apps-based health communication media usage of the 45 to 60 years old individuals was affected by ease of use, information completeness, social environment support, and perceived threat of COVID-19. However, information timeliness, information source trustworthiness, security, and interactivity were not proven to have a significant impact on the media usage. The managerial and policy implications were identified based on the findings.