Effectiveness Of Nurse-Led Mobile Health (Mhealth) Interventions For Management Of Hypertension And Type-2 Diabetes In Rural Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

The burden of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and type-2 diabetes is increasing rapidly in India, particularly in rural areas where access to continuous care, monitoring, and health education is limited. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies offer new opportunities for extending healthcare support beyond traditional clinical settings by enabling timely communication, remote monitoring, and personalized health guidance. Given the critical role of nurses in community-based care, nurse-led mHealth interventions have the potential to bridge existing gaps in chronic disease management. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured nurse-led mHealth intervention in improving clinical and behavioral outcomes among adults diagnosed with hypertension and type-2 diabetes residing in rural regions of Uttar Pradesh.

A quasi-experimental, two-group design was employed, including 240 participants randomly selected from four rural villages. Participants were allocated equally into intervention (n = 120) and control (n = 120) groups. The intervention consisted of multiple integrated components delivered over 12 weeks: weekly teleconsultations by trained community health nurses; medication reminders sent through SMS; individualized lifestyle counselling addressing diet, physical activity, and risk-reduction practices; and monthly community health camps to monitor vital parameters. Data were collected at baseline and at the end of the intervention period using validated tools for blood pressure measurement, fasting blood glucose assessment, treatment adherence scales, and self-care practice checklists.

Findings revealed substantial improvements among the intervention group across multiple domains. Participants receiving the nurse-led mHealth intervention demonstrated significantly greater reductions in systolic blood pressure (mean decrease: 12.8 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (mean decrease: 7.2 mmHg), and fasting blood glucose levels (mean decrease: 28.5 mg/dL) compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, marked gains were observed in medication adherence, dietary modification, physical activity engagement, and regular health monitoring behaviors. Participants also reported high satisfaction with the mHealth-supported nursing care, highlighting the approach’s acceptability, accessibility, and usefulness in managing chronic conditions.

The results of this study underscore the effectiveness of integrating mHealth strategies with nurse-led community-based care models. Such interventions not only improve clinical outcomes but also empower patients through continuous guidance and reinforced self-management practices. These findings support the incorporation of nurse-led mHealth programs into rural healthcare services as a