The descriptive approach was applied combined with focus group interviews. Authors preferred to use more than one instrument because literature shows that it is challenging to investigate their use merely through traditional surveys because individuals’ activities and motivations to use them are varied [14] .

The study community includes all the SQU undergraduate students. However, the fieldwork, for both the questionnaires and focus group interviews, is based on a purposive sample consisted of (20) male and female undergraduate students, ages 18 - 24, divided equally, with 5 students from each college, into two humanities colleges (Education and Arts) and two colleges of scientific studies (Science and Agriculture). Although small, the purposive sample is most effective when one needs to study a certain cultural domain and can be used with a number of techniques in data gathering such as a survey [15] .

1) A questionnaire was adapted from Jain, Udinia and Sahoo, 2017; reviewed and used as a tool for collecting data about the perceptions and attitudes of the students towards the use of the m-Heath app.

2) Focus group interviews were conducted to address the perceptions and attitudes in terms of behavior change, features, and reasons for continued use in an in-depth manner and to triangulate the quantitative findings.

A panel of experts validated the questionnaire. It was then modified in light of their comments and feedback. Then, the reliability coefficient was calculated and Cronbach’s alpha was at (0.688) and considered as a satisfactory reliability level. Focus groups interviews were recorded, transcribed, analyzed; and categorized in themes.

The following steps were implemented:

1) The sample individuals were asked to walk or jog everyday using the “Health®” app on their mobile phones for a week.

2) They were asked to record their observations daily by monitoring their health performance, heart rate and calorie data.

3) After the week period of use, the questionnaire was administered to the study sample.

4) The focus group interviews were conducted after additional week of reflection on the practice.

For the quantitative part of the study, theoretical means, standard deviations and t-test were used.

To answer the first question, the sample individuals were asked to rate their responses regarding their perceptions on the impact of the use of m-Health app by responding to (12) statements of the questionnaire. Their responses to the instrument items range from (5) which mean they strongly agree the statement to (1) which means they strongly disagree. Table 1 shows the means and standard deviations of undergraduate students’ responses to the instrument items.

The results in Table 1 shows positive perceptions of the students on the impact of the use of m-Health apps on their health and sport habits since most responses are higher than the theoretical mean (3.0). The “students’ ability to access medical and health information is what makes them use the health software” was ranked as the first statement on their perceptions of the m-Health app use. This finding coincides with [4] [8] and [1] on the importance of using the mobile app in terms of providing instant information and data.

To answer the second question of the study which states that “Does the m-Health app use differ by gender and college variables?” paired sample T test was used to test for differences if any. Table 2 shows the results.

The results in Table 2 show no statistically significant differences between the responses of either males or females, or the science and humanitarian colleges of the sample students. This demonstrates that the gender or college does not influence students’ perceptions of their use of m-Health app in general. These findings partially substantiate [2] and [3] on the m-Health apps for science-based colleges.

To answer the third question, the sample individuals were asked to rate their responses regarding their attitudes toward the use of m-Health app by responding to (7) statements of the questionnaire. Their responses to the instrument items range from (5) which mean they strongly agree the statement to (1) which means they strongly disagree. Table 3 shows the means and standard deviations of undergraduate students’ responses to the instrument items.

*Theoretical Mean = 3 (Source: adapted from Jain, J., Udinia, P. and Sahoo, 2017).

Responses in Table 3 were positive on all statement that measure the students’ attitudes toward the use of the mobile health app in terms of content, design and use, as most responses are higher than the theoretical mean (3.0). These findings are consistent with the results of [4] study on positive attitudes toward m-Health apps and their impact on users’ behavior after using them.

Inductive thematic analysis of the above qualitative data was conducted. Four main themes were recognized in terms of students’ perceptions towards using m-Health app as it 1) increases health performance, 2) plays a stimulating role, 3) provides support for physical fitness, 4) stands good chance for future use. The followings explain these themes:

・ Theme 1: m-health app increases health performance: Most students generally substantiated the quantitative findings by stating that the use of such software keeps them informed about their health and physical level along with their heartbeat rate and calories loss. They also said that the app encourages them to walk longer distances and reduce dependence on the vehicle at simple distances. One student reiterated the same idea saying that: “It increases my physical performance… because it makes me aware of how far distances I have walked/ran”. These findings generally corroborates the results of [1] study.

・ Theme 2: m-health app plays a stimulating role: One student said, “It motivates me more to exercise continuously and orderly”. Some students stated it reflects positively on their psychological and physical state and make them pay more attention to their daily routines and unhealthy habits. Another student interestingly commented that: “It stimulates the individual to do more by comparing his activity day after day and gives a good impression of the individual health as well as it encourages us to continue our sports effort for more goal achievement competing with our previous results”.

・ Theme 3: m-health app provides support for physical fitness: A student expressed his satisfaction with the health software “the app is excellent and the sign of my satisfaction with it is that I highly depend on this app”. Another female student said, “This is the first time I have used a healthy app but I am very encouraged to use these apps and take advantage of them”.

・ Theme 4: m-health app stands good chance for future use: Some students recommended the software for community members and patients as it makes them more committed to sports activities. Another student said that she “told all her family members that these apps are useful and advised them to use them”. On the contrary, her colleague emphasized, “I have used this app for years and I have been following it continuously”. Some said they connect them to wearable devices while walking. The majority of the sample students do not see any obstacles to continue using the m-Health app. These findings agree to some extent with [10] and [16] .