The influencing factors of digital health passport adoption and acceptance during COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background The COVID-19 outbreak has left a destructive trail around the world in terms of deaths, travel restrictions, trade deficits, and an economy that is collapsing, including job losses, real estate, health benefit loss, and a decrease in the quality of access to care and services in almost all sectors, as well as generally in the overall quality of life. The successful development of COVID-19 vaccines may hasten the acceleration of global post-pandemic recovery by vaccinating residents, with a particular focus on important groups, in order to decrease secondary transmission. This will facilitate the easing of enforced restrictions on global and local travel, the tourism industry, education sectors, and other aspects of social life. Vaccinating residents may also help reduce the risk of secondary transmission. The efforts that Saudi Arabia made to control the epidemic were outstanding on all fronts and in all spheres, including the health, education, commerce, and tourism industries, among others. Objective The purpose of this research was to investigate the elements that influence a traveler's decision to acquire and use a digital health passport (DHP), which was introduced by the Tawakkalna application in Saudi Arabia at the COVID-19 conference. Methods The technology acceptance model (TAM) and the information system success model (ISSM) were the primary theoretical frameworks that guided this investigation. The terms “perceived ease of use” (PEOU), “perceived usefulness” (PU), “information quality” (IQ), “service quality” (SQ), and “net benefit” (NB) were applied in order to investigate the user's acceptance and use of the DHP, as well as how it contributes to the facilitation of traveling and public perception toward using the DHP. Results In order to assess the validity of the proposed model and its four assumptions, a survey was sent through social media platforms to get responses from nationals and residents of Saudi Arabia. The SPSS program was used to evaluate a total of 103 replies that were considered valid. Following the completion of the study, the findings revealed that PEOU, PU, IQ, SQ, and NB all had favorable impacts on the use of DHP. Conclusion PEOU, PU, IQ, and SQ have a significant relationship with NB that affects the public's acceptance and use of DHP. This study has established validity and reliability while testing the relationship between the variables suggested in the research model.

Prevalence and Predictors of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Uptake in Saudi Arabia Post COVID-19: A Web-Based Online Cross-Sectional Study

“…Additionally, new policies and regulations—such as those implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic—mandating SIV for travelling and entrance to public places should be considered, especially with the current increased rates of seasonal influenza cases and influenza-like illnesses. Such regulations have been effective and have led to the increased uptake of COVID-19 vaccination during the pandemic [ 48 , 49 ]. SIV is effective and safe with considerably mild side effects [ 50 , 51 ]; hence, regulations that mandate annual vaccine uptake may be safely implemented to reduce the seasonal influenza health and economic burden in Saudi Arabia.…”

IoT Integration in Telemedicine: Investigating the Role of Internet of Things Devices in Facilitating Remote Patient Monitoring and Data Transmission

“…Research conducted in India examined the status of telemedicine adoption and its potential for remote patient monitoring using IoT technologies (Chellaiyan et al, 2019). Another study explored the in uencing factors behind the adoption of digital health passports, including IoT applications, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia [Samha et al, 2022]. These studies offer valuable insights into the adoption and acceptance of telemedicine, which can inform the implementation of IoT-powered telemedicine solutions.…”