Cuffless Optical BP Measurement Integrated with Antenatal Decision-Support and Client Tracking to Improve Health Provider Performance to Detect Hypertension and Improve Pregnancy Outcomes

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) including pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide, yet can be prevented through early detection of blood pressure (BP) and timely and evidence-based case management. We propose to integrate a cuffless smartphone BP measurement software (OptiBP) within a robust longitudinal health record and decision support system (OpenSRP) for ANC, as a comprehensive approach to drive accurate assessment and timely management of HDP and improve correct action rates. OptiBP transforms ubiquitous smartphones into a tool for overcoming limitations of traditional BP cuffs; embedding this software within OpenSRP strengthens continuity of care and effective use of clinical data for improving quality of ANC care. If successful and scaled, applied to hypertension for ANC, the innovation would benefit ~2.5m pregnant women and babies in Tanzania, and ~150m globally; and additionally, ~1.5B hypertensives at risk for noncommunicable diseases.