The study analysed routinely collected data from more than 63,000 patients receiving care at 246 health facilities in Ghana, Kenya, Sierra Leone and Tanzania between 2019 and 2024. The programme combined mobile technology, local clinics and training for community health workers to support blood pressure monitoring, follow-up care, and health education for people living with long-term conditions.
Researchers from the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, Ministries of Health, faith-based and academic partners across Ghana, Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania, and Medtronic LABS found that patients' blood pressure improved substantially within six months of joining the programme.
Average systolic blood pressure - the top number in a reading, which shows the pressure when the heart beats - fell by 8.3 mmHg, while average diastolic blood pressure - the bottom number, which shows pressure when the heart is at rest - fell by 4.5 mmHg. The largest improvements were seen among patients who entered the programme with uncontrolled systolic blood pressure, with average reduction of 18.1 mmHg.
The proportion of patients with controlled blood pressure rose from 35% to 53%, while just over half, 52.9%, achieved a clinically meaningful reduction in systolic blood pressure of more than 5 mmHg. Patients who had more frequent blood pressure checks, medical reviews and follow-up from community health workers were also significantly more likely to achieve meaningful improvements.
Read the full story on the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences website.