University of Oxford Applied Digital Health alumnus makes significant contribution to cardiovascular mHealth research in Africa
A graduate of the MSc Applied Digital Health programme has achieved a notable milestone with the publication of their research in BMJ Heart, one of the world's leading cardiovascular medicine journals.
Sintieh Nchinda Ngek Ekongefeyin, who completed the MSc in Applied Digital Health at the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, is the lead author on a scoping review published in the July 2025 issue of BMJ Heart. The research, titled "Mapping the evidence on mHealth interventions for cardiovascular event care in Africa: a scoping review", represents a significant contribution to understanding mobile health applications in cardiovascular medicine across the African continent.
Research Impact
The study systematically mapped the utilisation of mobile health (mHealth) interventions in cardiovascular event care across Africa, analysing 26 studies from 2013 to 2025. The research reveals that while mHealth technologies demonstrate potential in improving cardiovascular event care—particularly for stroke care—their widespread adoption faces significant barriers including health system constraints, low digital literacy, and financial challenges. The study found that smartphone applications and SMS/phone call interventions were the most commonly used technologies, with the majority of interventions focusing on post-event care rather than prevention or acute care.
Future Implications
This research addresses a critical gap in the literature, as no previous review had comprehensively scoped the evidence on mHealth use in cardiovascular event care across Africa. The findings highlight the urgent need for targeted health system strengthening, digital literacy initiatives, and the design of cost-effective, user-friendly mHealth interventions that align with existing healthcare workflows.
Given that cardiovascular diseases account for 17.9 million deaths annually worldwide, and the burden has doubled in Africa, this research provides crucial insights for policymakers and healthcare leaders working to address the continent's growing cardiovascular disease burden through digital health solutions.
The publication in BMJ Heart demonstrates the high quality and relevance of research being conducted by our graduates in the rapidly evolving field of digital health.
“This work highlights the promise of mobile health tools in transforming cardiovascular care across Africa. By mapping current evidence, we identify the predominant technologies used in CVD care, as well as key challenges, opportunities, and implementation considerations—laying the groundwork for more equitable, tech-enabled health systems in resource-limited settings." Sintieh Nchinda Ngek Ekongefeyin
Read the full research article here.
More information about the MSc Applied Digital Health programme can be found here.