Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40512574›Full record

ArticleAnnals of medicine2025

User experiences with a mobile health app for self-management of diabetes and hypertension in Ghana: a qualitative study.

Pearl Aovare, Erik Beune, Amos Laar, Nicolas Moens, Eric P Moll van Charante, Charles Agyemang

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Annals of medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Pearl AovareDepartment of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-9667-2076
Erik BeuneDepartment of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-6229-0256
Amos LaarDepartment of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.ORCID 0000-0001-5557-0164
Nicolas MoensVU University Athena-Institute, Economics, eHealth, and Digital Transformation, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0001-6601-2926
Eric P Moll van CharanteDepartment of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-1489-5218
Charles AgyemangDepartment of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-3882-7295

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCardio-metabolic disorders like diabetes and hypertension are increasingly common in low- and middle-income countries, including Ghana, straining healthcare systems. Mobile health (mHealth) applications offer potential for improving remote monitoring, patient engagement, and communication with providers. However, their implementation in Ghana remains limited and complex. This study explored user experiences with an mHealth app for self-managing diabetes and hypertension, and its perceived impact on care quality.

methodsA qualitative study was conducted with 20 participants from two healthcare facilities in Ghana using an mHealth app to manage diabetes or hypertension. In-depth interviews, guided by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis.

resultsParticipants reported that the app improved self-management, care coordination, and communication with providers. Valued features included medication reminders, appointment scheduling, and health monitoring, which fostered empowerment and engagement. The app also promoted healthier lifestyle choices. However, challenges such as data security concerns, mobile phone literacy, poor internet access, and data costs were noted.

conclusionmHealth apps can enhance self-management and perceived care quality by supporting patient engagement and provider communication. To maximize their impact, challenges around digital literacy, connectivity, and data security must be addressed. Policymakers should promote secure, equitable, and sustainable integration of mHealth technologies into the healthcare system.

Indexed as

Diabetes MellitusHypertensionMobile ApplicationsSelf-ManagementAdultAgedFemaleGhanaHumansMaleMiddle AgedPatient ParticipationQualitative ResearchTelemedicineChronic Disease ManagementDiabetesDigital healthGhanahypertensionmobile health (mHealth)patient engagementself-management

Identifiers

PMID40512574
PMCPMC12168410

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.