Blood Pressure Monitoring Pregnancy Tool – Digital Health
WHO Launches Digital Toolkit to Empower Pregnant Women in blood Pressure Self-Monitoring
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Geneva – The World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled a groundbreaking Digital Adaptation Kit (DAK) designed to empower pregnant women to self-monitor their blood pressure, a critical step in preventing and managing hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. These conditions, including pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, pose meaningful risks to both mothers and babies, potentially leading to severe complications and even stillbirth.
The Critical role of Self-Monitoring in Maternal Health
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a leading cause of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Prevention, early detection, and timely treatment are paramount to safeguarding the health of mothers and their newborns. Self-monitoring of blood pressure at home offers a vital self-care option, allowing individuals to actively participate in their health management.This practice can either complement routine antenatal care received at health facilities or serve as a crucial tool in areas where access to healthcare is limited, supporting community-based care initiatives.
Understanding the Digital Adaptation Kit
the newly released Digital Adaptation Kit is a direct translation of existing WHO guidance on self-monitoring of blood pressure during pregnancy,as outlined in the WHO Guideline for self-care interventions for health and well-being. This innovative kit marks the first digital resource specifically developed for self-care during pregnancy.
I am delighted to announce the release of this digital adaptation kit, the first in a person-centred self-care series.
Pascale Allotey / Director of HRP and SRHR at WHO
The DAK provides a standardized framework, establishing a common language and understanding of the health information content and standards necessary for effective blood pressure self-monitoring.Crucially, it also includes the digital information required to develop personal health tracking systems, ensuring that any necessary follow-up care can be seamlessly integrated.
“The kit will help Ministries of Health adopt the WHO recommendation on self-monitoring of blood pressure during pregnancy, and in turn help more women stay healthy through the antenatal period and beyond, while promoting the quality assurance of emerging digital tools,” stated Pascale Allotey, director of HRP and the Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research (SRHR) at WHO.
This initiative complements the existing Digital adaptation kit for antenatal care, which is designed for healthcare professionals.
Self-Care and the Digital Conversion of Health systems
WHO defines self-care as the capacity of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain well-being, and manage illness, with or without the direct support of a health or care worker. The organization advocates for evidence-based self-care interventions to enhance autonomy, health, and overall well-being for everyone. Digital health platforms and tools are instrumental in expanding access to these interventions and supporting informed decision-making for both individuals and health systems.
This Digital Adaptation Kit is the vanguard of a series aimed at broadening access to self-care interventions through digital systems, aligning with WHO’s SMART (Standards-based, Machine-readable, Adaptive, Requirements-based, and Stable) Guidelines.Digital adaptation kits serve to translate WHO guidance into accessible digital formats, assisting countries in integrating evidence-based clinical recommendations into their health systems. This ultimately benefits both the systems and individuals by promoting the adoption of sound clinical and data practices.
The advancement of this vital kit was made possible through funding from the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, The gates Foundation, and HRP.