Impact of Digital Health Interventions on Managing Chronic Diseases Among Middle Eastern Populations

Authors

  • Sarah Al-Harbi Associate Professor, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
  • Ahmed Al-Nuaimi Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37899/mjdh.v2i2.90

Keywords:

Chronic Disease Management, Digital Health Interventions, Healthcare Technology, Middle East

Abstract

This study examines the adoption and effectiveness of digital health interventions in managing chronic diseases among Middle Eastern populations, particularly in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Using a quantitative cross-sectional design, data were collected from 500 participants diagnosed with diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension through structured survey questionnaires. The findings indicate that 70% of respondents actively used digital health technologies, with mobile health applications representing the most frequently utilized intervention. The study further reveals that digital health usage significantly improved medication adherence, symptom monitoring, and overall disease management outcomes. Education level, income, and frequency of technology use positively influenced perceived effectiveness, while age demonstrated a negative association with digital health utilization. The novelty of this research lies in its comparative regional analysis integrating demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral dimensions of digital healthcare adoption. The study highlights the importance of strengthening digital literacy, expanding healthcare infrastructure, and developing inclusive digital health policies to support sustainable chronic disease management across Middle Eastern healthcare systems.

References

Albulushi, A., Al Kindi, D. I., Moawwad, N., Kamel, A. M., Khan, A., Moustafa, M. A., & Al Kalbani, A. (2024). Digital health technologies in enhancing patient and caregiver engagement in heart failure management: opportunities and challenges. International journal of cardiology, 408, 132116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2024.132116

Aldogiher, A., & Halim, Y. T. (2025). Customer Engagement in Digital Health Transformation as Strategic Change: Evidence from Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Sustainability, 17(18), 8468. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17188468

Al-Hajri, A., Abdella, G. M., Al-Yafei, H., Aseel, S., & Hamouda, A. M. (2024). A systematic literature review of the digital transformation in the Arabian gulf’s oil and gas sector. Sustainability, 16(15), 6601. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16156601

Alharbi, N. S., Alsubki, N., Jones, S., & Loo, J. (2020). Healthcare in the digital age: Impact of digital health interventions on diabetes management in the Middle East. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(14), 5064. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17145064

Alruwaili, M. M., Shaban, M., & Elsayed Ramadan, O. M. (2023). Digital health interventions for promoting healthy aging: a systematic review of adoption patterns, efficacy, and user experience. Sustainability, 15(23), 16503. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152316503

Anawade, P. A., Sharma, D., Gahane, S., Anawade Sr, P. A., & Sharma, D. S. (2024). A comprehensive review on exploring the impact of telemedicine on healthcare accessibility. Cureus, 16(3). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.55996

Aylı, B. I. (2025). Increasing Burden Of Non-Communicable Disease On Health Systems In Aging Populations And Possible Approaches To Lessen The Burden. In Transforming Healthcare Infrastructure (pp. 135-160). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003513834-6

Bashi, N., Fatehi, F., Mosadeghi-Nik, M., Askari, M. S., & Karunanithi, M. (2020). Digital health interventions for chronic diseases: a scoping review of evaluation frameworks. BMJ health & care informatics, 27(1), e100066. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjhci-2019-100066

Elechi, J. O. G., Sirianni, R., Conforti, F. L., Cione, E., & Pellegrino, M. (2023). Food system transformation and gut microbiota transition: evidence on advancing obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers—a narrative review. Foods, 12(12), 2286. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12122286

Erku, D., Khatri, R., Endalamaw, A., Wolka, E., Nigatu, F., Zewdie, A., & Assefa, Y. (2023). Digital health interventions to improve access to and quality of primary health care services: a scoping review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 20(19), 6854. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20196854

Eva, J., & Pathak, Y. (2023). Global Trends in Growth of Chronic Diseases. In Applications of Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals for Chronic Diseases (pp. 3-16). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003220053-2

Filip, R., Gheorghita Puscaselu, R., Anchidin-Norocel, L., Dimian, M., & Savage, W. K. (2022). Global challenges to public health care systems during the COVID-19 pandemic: a review of pandemic measures and problems. Journal of personalized medicine, 12(8), 1295. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm12081295

Garg, R. K. (2025). The alarming rise of lifestyle diseases and their impact on public health: A comprehensive overview and strategies for overcoming the epidemic. Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 30(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.4103/jrms.jrms_54_24

Ghazal, L., Hamadeh, S., & Mattar, M. (2021). Adoption of digital health tools in the Middle East: Perspectives of healthcare professionals. BMC Health Services Research, 21(1), 144. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06198-1

Gobburi, R. K., Olawade, D. B., Olatunji, G. D., Kokori, E., Aderinto, N., & David-Olawade, A. C. (2025). Telemedicine use in rural areas of the United Kingdom to improve access to healthcare facilities: A review of current evidence. Informatics and Health, 2(1), 41-48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infoh.2025.01.003

Godsey, T. J., Eden, T., & Emerson, S. R. (2025). Ultra-Processed Foods and Metabolic Dysfunction: A Narrative Review of Dietary Processing, Behavioral Drivers and Chronic Disease Risk. Metabolites, 15(12), 784. https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15120784

Hacker, K. (2024). The burden of chronic disease. Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Innovations, Quality & Outcomes, 8(1), 112-119.

Houben, A., van der Wulp, K., & Grol, R. (2018). Digital health in practice: How healthcare providers use digital tools for chronic disease management. Journal of Health Services Research & Policy, 23(3), 179-184. https://doi.org/10.1177/1355819618788988

Jafleh, E. A., Alnaqbi, F. A., Almaeeni, H. A., Faqeeh, S., Alzaabi, M. A., Al Zaman, K., ... & Alzaabi, M. (2024). The role of wearable devices in chronic disease monitoring and patient care: a comprehensive review. Cureus, 16(9). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.68921

Khan, A., & Duncan, D. (2025). Remote patient monitoring applications in healthcare: Lessons from COVID-19 and beyond. Electronics, 14(15), 3084. https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics14153084

Mbata, A. O., Soyege, O. S., Nwokedi, C. N., Tomoh, B. O., Mustapha, A. Y., Balogun, O. D., ... & Iguma, D. R. (2024). Preventative medicine and chronic disease management: reducing healthcare costs and improving long-term public health. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation, 5(06), 1584-1600. https://doi.org/10.54660/.IJMRGE.2024.5.6.1584-1600

Murthy, S., Kamath, P., Godinho, M. A., Gudi, N., Jacob, A., & John, O. (2023). Digital health innovations for non-communicable disease management during the COVID-19 pandemic: a rapid scoping review. Bmj Innovations, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjinnov-2021-000903

Nirmani, I. A. P. (2025). Barriers to digital participation in developing countries: Identifying technological, social, and cultural obstacles to community involvement. GSC Advanced Research and Reviews, 23(2), 061-071. https://doi.org/10.30574/gscarr.2025.23.2.0130

Rjoop, A., Zaied, M. A., AlRabadi, B., Gharib, L., Naser, M., Tayih, R. A., & AlShimi, R. A. (2024, September). Navigating the digital landscape: telemedicine and e-health utilisation in non-communicable diseases in the Arab world: a systematic review. In 2024 Global Digital Health Knowledge Exchange & Empowerment Conference (gDigiHealth. KEE) (pp. 1-8). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/gDigiHealth.KEE62309.2024.10761413

Saravanan, D., Khatoon, S., & Sabarathinam, S. (2023). A narrative review on the impact of processed foods/junk foods/preserved foods: why special attention is required to prevent metabolic syndrome?. Obesity Medicine, 42, 100507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obmed.2023.100507

Shah, A., Hussain-Shamsy, N., Strudwick, G., Sockalingam, S., Nolan, R. P., & Seto, E. (2022). Digital health interventions for depression and anxiety among people with chronic conditions: scoping review. Journal of medical Internet research, 24(9), e38030. https://doi.org/10.2196/38030

Singh, A., & Vellapandian, C. (2023). High risk of metabolic complications due to high consumption of processed foods. Current Nutrition & Food Science, 19(3), 198-208. https://doi.org/10.2174/1573401318666220622162038

Tolipova, N., Latipova, S., Mamajonov, H., Ismailova, U., Yuldashev, L., Khabilov, D., ... & Kholmurodova, D. (2025). The Relationship Between Increased Urbanization and the Rise of Chronic Diseases. Journal of Animal Environment, 17(3), 415-427. https://doi.org/10.70102/AEJ.2025.17.3.34

Umayal, K. M. (2024). Strategic integration of digital health technologies for enhanced patient-centered care in modern healthcare management. Management, 11(S1), 68-73. https://doi.org/10.34293/management.v11iiS1-Jan.7142

Wah, J. N. K. (2025). Revolutionizing e-health: the transformative role of AI-powered hybrid chatbots in healthcare solutions. Frontiers in Public Health, 13, 1530799. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1530799

Wang, S., Carmeline, A., Kolko, B., & Munson, S. A. (2024). Understanding the role of technology in older adults' changing social support networks. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 8(CSCW1), 1-28. https://doi.org/10.1145/3641027

Wannheden, C., Åberg-Wennerholm, M., Dahlberg, M., Revenäs, Å., Tolf, S., Eftimovska, E., & Brommels, M. (2022). Digital health technologies enabling partnerships in chronic care management: scoping review. Journal of medical Internet research, 24(8), e38980. https://doi.org/10.2196/38980

Willis, V. C., Thomas Craig, K. J., Jabbarpour, Y., Scheufele, E. L., Arriaga, Y. E., Ajinkya, M., ... & Bazemore, A. (2022). Digital health interventions to enhance prevention in primary care: scoping review. JMIR medical informatics, 10(1), e33518. https://doi.org/10.2196/33518

Zheng, H., & Jiang, S. (2022). Frequent and diverse use of electronic health records in the United States: a trend analysis of national surveys. Digital health, 8, 20552076221112840. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076221112840

Downloads

Published

2025-06-06