Implementation Of Mobile Application-Based Health Education For Hypertension Prevention In Young Adults
A Literature Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33005/jdiversemedres.v3i1.291Keywords:
mHealth, health education, young adults, hypertension prevention, behavior change techniquesAbstract
Hypertension among young adults is increasing due to modern lifestyles, yet conventional health education is often ineffective for this digital-native generation. This narrative review summarizes evidence from 2020–2025 on the effectiveness of mobile application-based health education for improving hypertension prevention behaviors and lowering blood pressure in young adults. Fifteen publications (meta-analyses, RCTs, feasibility studies, and protocols) were reviewed, focusing on mHealth interventions incorporating education, self-monitoring, reminders, feedback, and behavior change techniques (BCTs). Most studies found that apps with interactive educational features, blood pressure monitoring, adaptive reminders, and personalized feedback improved sodium intake, physical activity, and medication adherence. Meta-analyses reported an average systolic blood pressure reduction of 4–6 mmHg compared to controls. The highest effectiveness was seen in multi-component interventions lasting 3–6 months that applied BCTs such as goal setting, performance feedback, and self-monitoring. In conclusion, mobile app-based education is effective for hypertension prevention in young adults when designed with BCT principles. Implementation in campus and workplace settings offers a pragmatic strategy to expand the reach of hypertension prevention for young populations.
Downloads
References
Katz ME, Ehrenfeld L, Liang K, Xie Y, Ramsey A, Fletcher RD, et al. Digital health interventions for hypertension management in US populations experiencing health disparities: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(2):e2355265. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.55265
Boima V, Doku A, Agyekum F, Tuglo LS, Agyemang C. Effectiveness of digital health interventions on blood pressure control, lifestyle behaviours and adherence in hypertension in LMICs: systematic review and meta-analysis. eClinicalMedicine. 2024;69:102432. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102432
Zhou Y, Li SJ, Huang RQ, Ma HM, Wang AQ, Tang XY, et al. Behavior change techniques used in self-management mHealth app interventions for hypertension: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Med Internet Res. 2024;26:e54978. doi:10.2196/54978
Tran DMT, Alicea Planas J, Martinez S, Barengo NC, Alpert JS, Flahault A. mHealth intervention for elevated blood pressure among college students: single arm intervention study. JMIR Form Res. 2024;8:e48520. doi:10.2196/48520
Liu F, Xue H, Zhao H, Lu Y, Zhang M, Wang J, et al. Efficacy of an mHealth app to support patients’ self-management of hypertension: randomized controlled trial. J Med Internet Res. 2023;25:e43809. doi:10.2196/43809
Yuting Z, Wei Q, Huang G, Wen Y, Ma L, Chen X, et al. Effectiveness of an mHealth intervention on hypertension risk factors in low resource rural settings: randomized controlled trial. Front Public Health. 2023;11:1049396. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1049396
Babatunde AO, Ogundijo DA, Afolayan AGO, Awosiku OV, Aderohunmu ZO, Oguntade MS, et al. Mobile health technologies in the prevention and management of hypertension: a scoping review. Digit Health. 2024;10:20552076241277172. doi:10.1177/20552076241277172
Zhou H, Wang X, Yang Y, Chen Z, Zhang J, Zheng G, et al. Effect of a multicomponent intervention delivered on a web-based platform on hypertension control: cluster randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(12):e2245439. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.45439
Hoppe KK, Williams P, Thomas N, Zella JB, Drewnowski A. Telehealth or digital self-management interventions for hypertension among young adults: randomized clinical trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(1):e2254108. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.54108
myBPmyLife Investigators. A physical activity and diet just-in-time adaptive intervention to reduce blood pressure: myBPmyLife study rationale and design. J Am Heart Assoc. 2024;13(2):e031234. doi:10.1161/JAHA.123.031234
Persell SD, Peprah YA, Lipiszko D, Lee JY, Brookens A, Li JJ, et al. Home BP monitoring with smartphone coaching vs tracking app in uncontrolled hypertension: randomized trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(1):e200255. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.0255
FAITH! App Team. mHealth intervention for promoting hypertension self-management among African American patients: formative evaluation of the FAITH! app. JMIR Form Res. 2023;7(1):e45061. doi:10.2196/45061
He FJ, Tan M, Ma Y, MacGregor GA. Salt reduction to prevent hypertension and cardiovascular disease: JACC state-of-the-art review. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2020;76(8):632-647. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2020.06.046
Yap HJ, Lim JJJ, Tan SD, Ang CS. Effectiveness of digital health interventions on adherence and control of hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Hypertens. 2024;42(9):1490-1504. doi:10.1097/HJH.0000000000004261
Sheilini M, Hande HM, Ravishankar N, Akshay MJ, Nayak J, Chandrababu R. Effectiveness of an mHealth program on reducing blood pressure among young adults with prehypertension: protocol of a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial. JMIR Res Protoc. 2025;14:e67216. doi:10.2196/67216
Badan Kebijakan Pembangunan Kesehatan, Kementerian Kesehatan RI. Bahaya Hipertensi Mengintai Anak Muda Indonesia. 2024. Tersedia dari: https://www.badankebijakan.kemkes.go.id/bahaya-hipertensi-mengintai-anak-muda-indonesia/
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Journal of Diverse Medical Research : Medicosphere
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
