Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Background Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) demands lifelong insulin and rigorous self-management, a burden that falls especially hard on adolescents and youth already navigating the pressures of growing up. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where hundreds of thousands of young people live with T1DM, digital health interventions (DHIs) hold promise but remain poorly characterised. This review aimed to map the types of DHIs used for T1DM self-management in SSA, the outcomes they report, and the barriers and facilitators influencing their use. Methods Guided by the Arksey and O'Malley framework (refined by Levac and colleagues), JBI methodology, and PRISMA-ScR reporting, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, African Journals Online, and grey literature (2016–April 2026). Two reviewers independently screened and charted studies of adolescents and youth with T1DM in SSA. Findings were synthesized thematically and presented using descriptive statistics and narratively. Results Ten studies from 6 countries (2019–2026) met inclusion. Continuous glucose monitoring dominated (6 studies); two were mobile-based, including a WhatsApp education platform. CGM and WhatsApp intervention studies reported statistically significant HbA1c reductions, achieved high feasibility (wear time 64% to over 80%) when paired with context-specific adaptations such as solar charging, unmasked previously undetected hypoglycaemia. Psychosocial benefits reported included increased confidence and reduced isolation, conversely negative experiences included alarm fatigue and device-related stigma. Commonly reported barriers included cost, unreliable electricity and connectivity, school restrictions on mobile phones, high mobile data costs and clinic-dependent sensor changes; facilitators included familiar platforms, real-time feedback, family and peer support. Conclusion DHIs appear feasible and beneficial for young people with T1DM in SSA, yet the evidence is sparse, short-term, and geographically narrow. Larger, longer, adolescent-specific studies are needed to guide practice and policy.</p>