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May 28, 2026Open Access

Digital health interventions for hypertension in pregnant and perinatal women in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review

Key Points

This study aims to assess the state and effectiveness of digital health interventions for hypertension during pregnancy in low- and middle-income countries.
Conducted a scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
Comprehensively searched PubMed and Google for relevant studies.
Included 15 studies comprising 5 randomized controlled trials, 2 quasi-experimental studies, and 6 observational studies.
Interventions varied in effectiveness, with 6 targeting pregnant women and 6 targeting healthcare workers.
Key facilitators for effectiveness included community engagement and integration into health systems.
Barriers highlighted in studies suggest areas for improving digital health intervention delivery.

Abstract

Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy constitute a significant public health concern in low- and middle-income countries, but digital health interventions may have the potential to improve outcomes. This study examined the current state of digital health interventions for hypertension during pregnancy and evaluated their effectiveness in improving outcomes. This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. We comprehensively searched the PubMed and Google databases for keywords related to digital health, mobile health, hypertension during pregnancy, preeclampsia, eclampsia, and low- and middle-income countries. The articles were then screened for eligibility. Only studies published in low- and middle-income countries that highlighted digital health interventions for hypertensive disorders during pregnancy were included. Data from the included studies were extracted into a spreadsheet. A narrative synthesis was then conducted to summarize the study outcomes. Fifteen studies were included in this review, including five randomized controlled trials, 2 quasi-experimental studies, and 6 observational studies. Six of the reported interventions were targeted at pregnant women, 6 were targeted at healthcare workers, 1 was directed toward caregivers of pregnant women, and 2 had unclear target populations. The digital interventions included health education solutions, telehealth and telemonitoring solutions, clinical decision support systems, diagnostic and screening tools, and healthcare worker training and mentorship programs. The effectiveness of the interventions in improving outcomes varied across studies, with various barriers and facilitators highlighted in each study. Digital health interventions show significant promise in improving healthcare accessibility for women at risk of hypertensive disorders, such as preeclampsia, during pregnancy. By addressing various barriers and harnessing key facilitators such as community engagement, integration into current health systems, and creating strategic partnerships, digital interventions have the potential to significantly transform healthcare delivery for pregnant women at risk of hypertensive disorders.

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