Publication
Mapping the evidence on mHealth interventions for cardiovascular event care in Africa: a scoping review
mHealth interventions for cardiovascular event care in Africa are mapped in this scoping review. Sintieh Nchinda Ngek Ekongefeyin, Guisilla Dedino and Cervantée Wild wrote it. Heart (BMJ) published it in 2025, and in print in 2026, volume 112, issue 2, pages 65 to 74.
Background to mHealth interventions
The burden of cardiovascular events in Africa is projected to rise significantly in the coming decade. This places additional strain on overburdened health systems. Mobile health technologies present a promising approach. Therefore this review mapped the use of mHealth interventions in cardiovascular event care across Africa.
Methods
The authors searched peer-reviewed and grey literature published between 2013 and 2025. They included studies that focused on mHealth interventions for cardiovascular event care in Africa. Then they extracted and synthesised data by geography, intervention type and target condition.
Results: 26 studies of mHealth interventions
The review identified 26 studies: small pilots, randomised controlled trials and process evaluations. Most came from Eastern and Western Africa. Twenty addressed stroke care and five addressed myocardial infarction. Most addressed care after the event. Smartphone applications (11) and SMS or phone-call interventions (7) were the most common technologies. In addition, one study used artificial intelligence for arrhythmia screening. Positive outcomes were common. However, challenges included health-system constraints, low digital literacy and financial barriers.
Conclusion on mHealth interventions
mHealth interventions show promise for cardiovascular event care in Africa. Larger, well-designed studies are needed, particularly on prevention and acute care. Equally, attention is needed to the health-system conditions that let pilots become routine services.
Relevance of mHealth interventions to SHINE
The review informs how the NCD Cameroon programme follows up people at risk, and how MedAccess is designed. The full text is at doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2025-325992.
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Related pages
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A note on our standards
First, every study has a written protocol and ethical approval before data collection. Second, we report results to the partner as well as to a journal. Third, testimonials appear only with the person’s consent. As a result, partners can rely on what SHINE publishes, and readers can check every claim against its source.