Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the use of digital technologies such as mHealth Apps for stakeholder engagement in health communication. However, this may have led to the exclusion of rural populations regarding their health seeking behaviour specifically in terms of expected use of digital technologies during hard lockdowns. The study attempted to assess the use of the COVID-19 HealthAlert App by a rural township population during COVID-19. The study applied the Stakeholder Theory and the Digital Health Equity Framework. A quantitative study approach was adopted. A sample of 197 Seshego township residents aged between 18-65 years was used, and a questionnaire was administered. Most of the participants agree that health communication through Short Messaging Services about the COVID-19 pandemic helps improve disease prevention. Privacy and the protection of personal information were concerns on mHealth Apps. There are no significant differences between females and males and their use of the COVID-19 HealthAlert App for health seeking behaviour. This study contributes to the body of knowledge about the use of mHealth Apps for health seeking behaviour during a health crisis. This study informs health communication practitioners, health promotion organisations, government, and healthcare professionals.
KEY WORDS: mHealth Apps; digital health; privacy; stakeholder engagement; Covid19; health seeking behaviour