Technology-Enabled Self-Management Interventions for Gestational Diabetes in Low-Income Populations: A Critical Review

Wambui Kibibi J.

School of Natural and Applied Sciences Kampala International University Uganda

                                                                            ABSTRACT
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects 6 to 15 percent of pregnancies globally and disproportionately impacts low-income populations, where access to traditional healthcare resources remains limited. Technology-enabled selfmanagement interventions have emerged as potentially scalable tools to support glycemic control, dietary adherence, and perinatal outcomes in resource-constrained settings. This review critically evaluated the biochemical rationale, implementation characteristics, clinical efficacy, and contextual barriers of technology-enabled selfmanagement interventions for GDM in low-income populations. A comprehensive literature search identified peerreviewed studies examining mobile health applications, text messaging platforms, telemedicine, and wearable devices for GDM self-management among economically disadvantaged women, with emphasis on glycemic outcomes and maternal-fetal health indicators. Technology-enabled interventions demonstrated modest improvements in fasting plasma glucose (mean reduction 4 to 8 mg/dL), hemoglobin A1c (0.2 to 0.4 percent decrease), and self-monitoring adherence rates (15 to 30 percent improvement) compared to standard care. However, efficacy is substantially moderated by digital literacy, smartphone ownership, reliable internet connectivity, and culturally adapted content delivery. Implementation barriers included limited baseline technology access, inadequate integration with existing prenatal care systems, and insufficient attention to socioeconomic determinants that compound GDM risk. Evidence quality remained heterogeneous, with most studies showing a moderate risk of bias and inadequate long-term follow-up. While technology-enabled self-management interventions offer promise for GDM management in low-income settings, current evidence revealed significant implementation gaps and modest clinical effect sizes that necessitated context-specific adaptation, enhanced digital infrastructure investment, and integration with comprehensive prenatal care models.

Keywords: Gestational diabetes mellitus, Technology-enabled interventions, Self-management, Low-income populations, Glycemic control.

CITE AS: Wambui Kibibi J. (2026). Technology-Enabled Self-Management Interventions for Gestational Diabetes in Low-Income Populations: A Critical Review. Research Output Journal of Engineering and Scientific Research 5(1): 75-80. https://doi.org/10.59298/ROJESR/2026/5.17580