Perceptions of mobile applications and websites for diabetes management among adults with type 2 diabetes in Jordan: A qualitative study

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a growing public health challenge globally and in Jordan, where effective self-management is essential to prevent complications. Digital health technologies, including mobile applications and internet websites have emerged as potential tools to support self-care diabetes; however, their adoption remains influenced by sociocultural, technological, and healthcare-related factors. This study aimed to explore the awareness, perceptions, trust, barriers, facilitators, and expectations related to mobile applications and internet websites for diabetes self-management among adults with T2DM in Jordan. A qualitative phenomenological design was employed. Twenty adults with T2DM were purposively recruited from two major hospitals in northern Jordan: King Abdullah University Hospital and Princess Basma Teaching Hospital. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted between October 6, 2025, and February 15, 2026. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis based on the framework developed by Virginia Braun and Victoria Clarke. Six themes emerged: limited awareness, perceptions without experience, trust and credibility, barriers to adoption, facilitators of adoption, and expectations for ideal tools. Awareness of digital diabetes applications and websites was generally low and rarely introduced by healthcare providers. Participants acknowledged potential benefits such as medication reminders and blood glucose tracking; however, concerns regarding reliability, privacy, cost, and limited digital literacy constrained adoption. Trust in digital health tools was strongly associated with institutional endorsement and availability in Arabic. Physician recommendations and family support were important motivators for potential use. Participants also emphasized the need for culturally relevant content and simple, user-friendly interfaces. The adoption of digital diabetes self-management tools in Jordan is shaped by trust, cultural relevance, affordability, and digital literacy. Greater clinician engagement and the development of culturally tailored Arabic-language applications may enhance patient acceptance and facilitate engagement with digital diabetes self-management.