Mobile app AHOMKA supports blood pressure management

Over an eight-week period, patients at high risk for heart attacks or strokes saw their average blood pressure decrease from 139/87 mmHg to 126/83 mmHg. More than 70 percent of participants consistently used the digital tool at least weekly to record their blood pressure, with the data being shared with their treating physicians.  

Ghana faces a shortage of medical professionals, with up to 7,000 patients per physician. Furthermore, 80 percent of doctors are concentrated in only five regions, making access to healthcare challenging for many citizens. Traditional health care visits alone aren’t enough to help people manage chronic conditions like hypertension.  

AHOMKA was developed to bridge this gap, ensuring that individuals from different socioeconomic backgrounds could benefit from the technology. “One of our priorities was to build a platform that could be accessible to a wide range of people within the country, from all different socioeconomic statuses,” explained senior author Valencia Koomson, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering. To achieve this, the app functions without an internet connection and remains cost-effective. 

The AHOMKA app works with an accompanying blood pressure cuff and is compatible with Android devices. It enables data storage with or without Wi-Fi, ensuring continuous monitoring of patients’ health. The research team collaborated with Ghanaian cardiologists from the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra and the Ho Teaching Hospital in Ho to refine the platform. 

Beyond blood pressure tracking, the app also aims to enhance health literacy. “There can be some stigma to having hypertension, as people don’t want to be perceived as not being strong, so we wanted to measure whether participants’ attitudes changed by learning more about high blood pressure and being part of the study,” Koomson said. 

Feedback from patients and hospital employees has been positive. Participants appreciated the ability to manage their health without frequent clinic visits, which often require taking time off work or traveling long distances. Healthcare providers, in turn, received more accurate patient data remotely, as clinic visits can sometimes lead to artificially high readings due to anxiety. 

With the trial expanding beyond the initial 27 patients, Koomson and her team plan to adapt the AHOMKA app for multiple mobile operating systems. They are also working with a software development team based in Ghana to address any issues promptly. Future updates may include features for patients to upload medical information, such as blood tests, and access chatbot support for health inquiries. 

Additionally, plans are underway to integrate a text messaging system for individuals without smartphones, broadening accessibility. Koomson envisions further applications of the platform, including support for patients living with sickle-cell disease, a prevalent condition in sub-Saharan Africa. 

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: Tufts University