User experiences with a mobile health app for self-management of diabetes and hypertension in Ghana: a qualitative study
Background Cardio-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...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Annals of Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/07853890.2025.2517395 |
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| author | Pearl Aovare Erik Beune Amos Laar Nicolas Moens Eric. P. Moll van Charante Charles Agyemang |
| author_facet | Pearl Aovare Erik Beune Amos Laar Nicolas Moens Eric. P. Moll van Charante Charles Agyemang |
| author_sort | Pearl Aovare |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Cardio-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.Methods A 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.Results Participants 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.Conclusion mHealth 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-15644d6c690b4ce0a6a7a45ec309ea20 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 0785-3890 1365-2060 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Annals of Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-15644d6c690b4ce0a6a7a45ec309ea202025-08-20T02:39:43ZengTaylor & Francis GroupAnnals of Medicine0785-38901365-20602025-12-0157110.1080/07853890.2025.2517395User experiences with a mobile health app for self-management of diabetes and hypertension in Ghana: a qualitative studyPearl Aovare0Erik Beune1Amos Laar2Nicolas Moens3Eric. P. Moll van Charante4Charles Agyemang5Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsDepartment of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsDepartment of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, GhanaVU University Athena-Institute, Economics, eHealth, and Digital Transformation, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsDepartment of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsDepartment of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsBackground Cardio-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.Methods A 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.Results Participants 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.Conclusion mHealth 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.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/07853890.2025.2517395Diabeteshypertensionmobile health (mHealth)patient engagementself-managementDigital health |
| spellingShingle | Pearl Aovare Erik Beune Amos Laar Nicolas Moens Eric. P. Moll van Charante Charles Agyemang User experiences with a mobile health app for self-management of diabetes and hypertension in Ghana: a qualitative study Annals of Medicine Diabetes hypertension mobile health (mHealth) patient engagement self-management Digital health |
| title | User experiences with a mobile health app for self-management of diabetes and hypertension in Ghana: a qualitative study |
| title_full | User experiences with a mobile health app for self-management of diabetes and hypertension in Ghana: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | User experiences with a mobile health app for self-management of diabetes and hypertension in Ghana: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | User experiences with a mobile health app for self-management of diabetes and hypertension in Ghana: a qualitative study |
| title_short | User experiences with a mobile health app for self-management of diabetes and hypertension in Ghana: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | user experiences with a mobile health app for self management of diabetes and hypertension in ghana a qualitative study |
| topic | Diabetes hypertension mobile health (mHealth) patient engagement self-management Digital health |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/07853890.2025.2517395 |
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