A quasi-experimental text messaging trial to improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health and smoking knowledge in Indonesia

Background To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a text message intervention to improve young people’s knowledge of sexual reproductive health (SRH) and harms related to smoking in Indonesia. Methods: A quasi-experimental short message service (SMS) trial of young people aged 16–24 years receiving twice weekly SMS over a 10-week intervention period. Pre- and post-online demographic and risk behaviour surveys were used to assess changes in knowledge. Among respondents who completed both surveys, we assessed changes in knowledge before and after SMS intervention using paired McNemar’s test and differences in mean knowledge score using a paired t-test. Results: In total, 555 eligible young people were enrolled into the SMS intervention; 235 (42%) completed a follow-up survey, of which 198 (84%) were matched to a baseline survey. Median age of participants was 19 years and the majority were female (63%). The mean knowledge score significantly increased between baseline and follow-up surveys for SRH questions [2.7, (95% CI 2.47, 2.94) vs 3.4 (95% CI 2.99, 3.81) (P = <0.01)] and smoking-related questions [3.8 (95% CI 3.66, 3.99) vs 4.1 (95% CI 3.99, 4.28) (P = 0.03)]. A majority of participants reported that the SMS intervention increased their knowledge (95%) and were a useful reminder (95%). Conclusions: An SMS intervention was feasible, acceptable and improved adolescents’ SRH knowledge and smoking knowledge in a low- to middle-income setting. SMS interventions targeting young people need to be scaled up, with the potential to explore additional topics around healthy lifestyle, nutrition and physical activity.

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Effect of mHealth tool on knowledge regarding reproductive health of school going adolescent girls: a before-after quasi-experimental study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-036656 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (10) ◽

pp. e036656

Author(s):

Tanima Ahmed

Keyword(s):

Experimental Study ◽

Reproductive Health ◽

Adolescent Girls ◽

Knowledge Score ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Message Service ◽

Before And After ◽

Sms Intervention ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

Linear Slope

ObjectiveThis study was executed to (1) assess the effect of mHealth (mobile health) tool on knowledge regarding reproductive health (RH) of adolescent girls and (2) determine the utilisation of mHealth tool among school girls.DesignBefore-after type of quasi-experimental study.SettingDhaka North City Corporation in Bangladesh.Participants400 adolescent girls aged 14–19 years were selected based on defined criteria.InterventionsShort message service (SMS) intervention on RH was delivered through a mobile phone.Primary and secondary outcome measures8 schools out of 61 were randomly selected in the study area. A total of 400 girls were selected randomly on permission from those schools and parents. SMS interventions were delivered for 8 weeks. The data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire before and after SMS intervention to evaluate the effect. The number of responses to weekly SMS determined mHealth usage or practice.ResultsPostintervention knowledge score (mean 70.8%±9.7%) on RH was significantly higher (paired t=69.721, p<0.001) than preintervention knowledge score (mean 44.71%±9.13%) with a large effect size (cohen’s d=3.6). The knowledge score on RH was (p<0.001) correlated (+0.636) with SMS response. Multiple linear regression indicated that increase response to one SMS intervention there was an increase of knowledge score by 2.661% (linear slope 2.66, at 95% CI, p<0.001) after controlling the confounder. The mean knowledge score in all five knowledge segments of RH increased significantly (p<0.001) after SMS intervention.ConclusionThe result indicated that the SMS tool of the mHealth approach is an easy and effective way to improve RH knowledge for adolescent girls. SMS intervention was well accepted by the girls. Thereby this mHealth tool can be chosen to provide health information for a mass approach.

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Text Messages Sent to Household Tuberculosis Contacts in Kampala, Uganda: Process Evaluation (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.10239 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Amanda J Meyer ◽

Diana Babirye ◽

Mari Armstrong-Hough ◽

David Mark ◽

Irene Ayakaka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Process Evaluation ◽

Text Messaging ◽

Text Message ◽

Implementation Fidelity ◽

Text Messages ◽

Household Contacts ◽

Contact Investigation ◽

Study Results ◽

Sms Intervention

BACKGROUND Previous studies have reported the inconsistent effectiveness of text messaging (short message service, SMS) for improving health outcomes, but few have examined to what degree the quality, or “fidelity,” of implementation may explain study results. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the fidelity of a one-time text messaging (SMS) intervention to promote the uptake of tuberculosis evaluation services among household contacts of index patients with tuberculosis. METHODS From February to June 2017, we nested a process evaluation of text message (SMS) delivery within the intervention arm of a randomized controlled trial of tuberculosis contact investigation in Kampala, Uganda. Because mobile service providers in Uganda do not provide delivery confirmations, we asked household tuberculosis contacts to confirm the receipt of a one-time tuberculosis-related text message (SMS) by sending a text message (SMS) reply through a toll-free “short code.” Two weeks later, a research officer followed up by telephone to confirm the receipt of the one-time text message (SMS) and administer a survey. We considered participants lost to follow-up after 3 unsuccessful call attempts on 3 separate days over a 1-week period. RESULTS Of 206 consecutive household contacts, 119 had a text message (SMS) initiated from the server. While 33% (39/119) were children aged 5-14 years, including 20% (24/119) girls and 13% (15/119) boys, 18 % (21/119) were adolescents or young adults, including 12% (14/119) young women and 6% (7/119) young men. 50% (59/119) were adults, including 26% (31/119) women and 24% (28/119) men. Of 107 (90%) participants for whom we could ascertain text message (SMS) receipt status, 67% (72/107) confirmed text message (SMS) receipt, including 22% (24/107) by reply text message (SMS) and 45% (48/107) during the follow-up telephone survey. No significant clinical or demographic differences were observed between those who did and did not report receiving the text message (SMS). Furthermore, 52% (56/107) reported ever reading the SMS. The cumulative likelihood of a text message (SMS) reaching its target and being read and retained by a participant was 19%. CONCLUSIONS The fidelity of a one-time text message (SMS) intervention to increase the uptake of household tuberculosis contact investigation and linkage to care was extremely low, a fact only discoverable through detailed process evaluation. This study suggests the need for systematic process monitoring and reporting of implementation fidelity in both research studies and programmatic interventions using mobile communications to improve health.

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Intensive Fostering: An Independent Evaluation of MTFC in an English Setting

Adoption & Fostering ◽

10.1177/030857591203600104 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 36 (1) ◽

pp. 13-26 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Nina Biehal ◽

Sarah Ellison ◽

Ian Sinclair

Keyword(s):

Young People ◽

Total Sample ◽

High Risk Group ◽

Eligibility Criteria ◽

Independent Evaluation ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

One Year ◽

Stage 1 ◽

Official Data

Nina Biehal, Sarah Ellison and Ian Sinclair present the results of an independent evaluation of the Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care (MTFC) programme for young offenders in England, where it is known as Intensive Fostering (IF). A quasi-experimental, mixed-methods study was carried out at the three pilot sites, with a total sample of 47 at follow-up. Young people sentenced to IF were compared to a similar group, matched on the eligibility criteria for IF, the majority of whom were sentenced to custody. The groups were well matched in terms of their characteristics and criminal histories. Official data on reconviction were collected at baseline and one year after entry to the IF placement or release from custody (Stage 1), and further data on programme completion and secondary outcomes were collected via interviews with young people and parents, and questionnaires to professionals at baseline and follow-up. Official data on reconviction were also collected one year after exit from the IF placements (Stage 2). At Stage 1 the IF group were less likely to be reconvicted, had committed fewer and less-serious recorded offences, on average, and took longer to commit their first recorded offence. At this point the IF group were more likely to be living with their families and less likely to be in custody than the comparison group. However, by Stage 2 no significant differences in patterns of reconviction remained. IF successfully contained a high-risk group in the community, but the effects of the intervention diminished once they left their foster placements. Environmental effects on entry to and exit from the IF placements may help to explain the results at both stages.

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Recovery Following Peer and Text Messaging Support after Discharge from Acute Psychiatric Care: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.27137 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Reham Shalaby ◽

Marianne Hrabok ◽

Pamela Spurvey ◽

Rabab M. Abou El-Magd ◽

Michelle Knox ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Peer Support ◽

Text Messaging ◽

Psychiatric Care ◽

Text Message ◽

Text Messages ◽

Treatment As Usual ◽

Usual Condition ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Acute Psychiatric Care

BACKGROUND Peer support (PS) is emotional, social, and practical help that is provided by non-professionals to assist others in sustaining health behaviours. PS is valued in recovery-oriented models of mental health and is becoming implemented increasingly at the organizational level. Text messaging is a relatively low cost, high impact, and easily scalable program that uses existing technology, is devoid of geographic barriers, and is easily accessible to end users. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the effect of an innovative peer support system plus supportive text messaging program on the recovery of discharged patients from acute psychiatric care. METHODS This is a prospective, rater-blinded, pilot randomized controlled trial, including 180 patients discharged from acute psychiatric care. Patients were randomized to one of four conditions: treatment as usual (follow-up care), daily supportive text messages, peer-support only, or peer-support plus daily supportive text messages. A standardized self-report measure of recovery (Recovery Assessment Scale; RAS) was completed at baseline, six weeks, three months, and six months. Descriptive analysis, One-Way ANOVA, and repeated measures MANCOVA were deployed to examine the changes in RAS among the study groups and over the follow-up time points. RESULTS Sixty-five patients completed assessments at each time-point. For the overall sample, higher scores were found for the peer-support plus text message condition compared to the text message only and treatment as usual condition on several scales (i.e., Willingness to ask for help and Personal Confidence and Hope) and total score on the RAS. CONCLUSIONS Peer support plus supportive text messaging results in improved recovery compared to other interventions. It is advisable to incorporate the two interventions as a part of routine practice for patients with psychiatric disorders upon their hospital discharge. CLINICALTRIAL The study received ethical approval from the Health Ethics Research Board of the University of Alberta (Ref # Pro00078427) and operational approval from the Alberta Health Services regional health authority. All patients provided written informed consent. The study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov (Trial registration number NCT03404882).

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A Healthy Retirement Program for Thai government teachers: a quasi-experimental and comparison groups study

Journal of Health Research ◽

10.1108/jhr-03-2020-0062 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Numporn Insin ◽

Chanuantong Tanasugarn ◽

Sarunya Benjakul

Keyword(s):

Chronic Disease ◽

Health Information ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Subjective Health ◽

Content Type ◽

Comparison Groups ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

One Year ◽

Experimental Group

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the Healthy Retirement Program's effectiveness toward skills improvement and evaluate changes in subjective health.Design/methodology/approachA quasi-experimental, pre and posttest of the comparison groups was conducted. Teachers who were going to retire within one year were recruited into the experimental (n = 47) and the comparison groups (n = 43). Questionnaires were administered at baseline, posttest and at the 6-months follow-up. An independent t-test and Mann–Whitney U test were applied to determine the differences in outcomes between groups.FindingsThe results revealed different effects regarding teachers' health status. In those who had no chronic disease, the experimental group had higher skills to understand health information at posttest and at follow-up (p = 0.036, 0.028). Skills to apply health information was also greater at follow-up (p = 0.042). Among those suffering from a chronic disease, skills to access and apply health information were significantly higher in the experimental group than that of the comparison at follow-up (p = 0.011, 0.046). Greater perceived health of the experimental group was also indicated (p = 0.032).Originality/valueWhile the health conditions of teachers at the preretirement period are inconsistent, healthy lifestyle management after retirement is a crucial skill for retirement adjustment. Supporting teachers to be health literate should be included in the retirement planning program which emphasizes preretiree's ability to understand and take control of their health.

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Digital HIV Care Navigation for Young People Living With HIV in San Francisco, California: Feasibility and Acceptability Study

JMIR mhealth and uhealth ◽

10.2196/16838 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. e16838 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dillon Trujillo ◽

Caitlin Turner ◽

Victory Le ◽

Erin C Wilson ◽

Sean Arayasirikul

Keyword(s):

Young People ◽

San Francisco ◽

Text Messaging ◽

Text Message ◽

Hiv Care ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Newly Diagnosed ◽

Engagement In Hiv Care ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

High Engagement

Background HIV continues to be a public health challenge adversely affecting youth and young adults, as they are the fastest-growing group of new HIV infections in the United States and the group with the poorest health outcomes among those living with HIV. HIV prevention science has turned to mobile health as a novel approach to reach and engage young people living with HIV (YPLWH) experiencing barriers to HIV care. Objective This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a text message–based HIV care navigation intervention for YPLWH in San Francisco. Health eNavigation is a 6-month text message–based HIV care navigation where YPLWH are connected to their own HIV care navigator through text messaging to improve engagement in HIV primary care. Digital HIV care navigation included delivery of the following through SMS text messaging: (1) HIV care navigation, (2) health promotion and education, (3) motivational interviewing, and (4) social support. Methods We evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a text message–based HIV care navigation intervention among YPLWH. We assessed feasibility using quantitative data for the overall sample (N=120) to describe participant text messaging activity during the intervention. Acceptability was assessed through semistructured, in-depth interviews with a subsample of 16 participants 12 months after enrollment. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using grounded theory. Results Overall, the text message–based HIV care navigation intervention was feasible and acceptable. The majority of participants exhibited medium or high levels of engagement (50/120 [41.7%] and 26/120 [21.7%], respectively). Of the majority of participants who were newly diagnosed with HIV, 63% (24/38) had medium to high engagement. Similarly, among those who were not newly diagnosed, 63% (52/82) had medium to high engagement. The majority of participants found that the intervention added value to their lives and improved their engagement in HIV care, medication adherence, and viral suppression. Conclusions Text message–based HIV care navigation is a potentially powerful tool that may help bridge the gaps for linkage and retention and improve overall engagement in HIV care for many YPLWH. Our results indicate that participation in text message–based HIV care navigation is both feasible and acceptable across pervasive structural barriers that would otherwise hinder intervention engagement.

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Feasibility of Injury Reporting Via Text Messaging in Club Sport Settings: A Prospective Cohort Study

International Journal of Athletic Therapy & Training ◽

10.1123/ijatt.2019-0101 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (6) ◽

pp. 328-333

Author(s):

Nicole J. Chimera ◽

Monica R. Lininger ◽

Bethany Hudson ◽

Christopher Kendall ◽

Lindsay Plucknette ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Text Messaging ◽

Response Rate ◽

Text Message ◽

The United States ◽

Incidence Density ◽

Sports Teams ◽

The Past ◽

Message Service ◽

Injury Reporting

A novel technique of short message service (SMS), or text message, has examined injuries in elite handball and female football and community Australian football with a response rate of over 75%. The purpose of this study was to determine if text message is a feasible method of prospectively collecting injury density data in club sports teams in the United States. Participants received a weekly text message with four questions asking about pain and participation in the past week. If the participant indicated pain in the past week, a follow-up phone interview was conducted to determine the nature of the pain/injury. The overall text message response rate was 89.8%; there were 281 responses out of 313 participant contacts over the 12-week study period. Semi-structured follow-up phone interviews were completed for 37 of the 55 reports of pain that were indicated through text message response, resulting in further injury information for 65.5% of injuries. Incidence density of reporting pain over the 12-week study was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.68–1.15) per 1,000 min of activity. In this sample, text message response rates were similar to previous studies; however, we did lose nine (25.7%) participants to follow-up.

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Good idea, bad prerequisite, zero result – the meaning of context in implementing aftercare for young people in secure unit care

Journal of Children s Services ◽

10.1108/jcs-10-2013-0035 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 248-260 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Maria Andersson Vogel ◽

Marie Sallnäs ◽

Tommy Lundström

Keyword(s):

Experimental Design ◽

Young People ◽

Target Group ◽

Outcome Study ◽

Content Type ◽

Care Services ◽

Care Project ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

Secure Unit

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to report results from a quasi-experimental study of outcomes of a leaving care project for youth placed in secure unit care and second, based on the (zero) results, to analyse and discuss the interplay between organisational boundaries, social work and the target group when implementing a project such as the one studied. Design/methodology/approach – The outcome study had a quasi-experimental design. The young people in the leaving care programme were compared with a matched reference group who did not get the special leaving care services. Data were collected (structured Adolescent Drug Abuse Diagnosis-interviews) when the young people entered secure units and on follow-up (registered crime and re-entry into care). Findings – The outcome study showed that the leaving care project had no effect on the young people's situation at follow-up regarding re-offending and re-entry into secure unit care. This is understood and discussed in relation to the poor implementation of the leaving care project along with an inbuilt conflict between state and local municipality that overshadowed the good intentions of the project. Research limitations/implications – The effect study has a quasi-experimental design, and hence differences between the project group and the comparison group at T1 cannot be fully precluded, although nothing is pointing in such a direction. The unclear content of the intervention makes it difficult to decode how the variation in the support given to the young people eventually impacted the results. The zero-results apply to group level, but that may not be valid for each and every one in the project. Practical implications – According to earlier research, a key person following young persons through different phases of the care trajectory may be of importance. Learning from the CoC project, one can conclude that such a key person should preferably take the role of advocate for the young person, and not be an administrator mainly concerned with coordinating other professionals. Further, when planning and financing is split between organisations, that split hinders efforts to actually mobilise support for young people leaving secure unit care. Originality/value – Few leaving care services are designed for youth with severe behavioural problems and hence, the research is scarce. This study contributes with important knowledge about leaving care interventions for the target group.

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OR31-01 A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Lifestyle Intervention with Longitudinal Follow up on Ovarian Dysmorphology, Hyperandrogenism, and Menstrual Irregularity in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Journal of the Endocrine Society ◽

10.1210/jendso/bvaa046.961 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Maryam Kazemi ◽

Roger A Pierson ◽

Laura E McBreairty ◽

Philip D Chilibeck ◽

Gordon A Zello ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Insulin Sensitivity ◽

Reproductive Health ◽

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ◽

Healthy Lifestyle ◽

Polycystic Ovary ◽

Menstrual Irregularity ◽

Post Intervention ◽

Ovary Syndrome ◽

Matsuda Index

Abstract The recent International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) recommended healthy lifestyle interventions (dietary, exercise, behavioral modification, or combined) as the first-line therapy to mediate favorable metabolic outcomes in PCOS. However, the relationship between lifestyle modifications and reproductive health in PCOS is less clear. Specifically, a favorable dietary composition to facilitate reproductive changes in women with PCOS remains unknown. Further, the longitudinal impacts of lifestyle change programs in women with PCOS is poorly elucidated. We hypothesized that a low glycemic index pulse-based diet containing lentils, beans, split peas, and chickpeas would be more effective than the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet at improving insulin sensitivity without an energy-restricted protocol and would improve reproductive health outcomes in women with PCOS after a 16-week intervention. Our objective was to compare the effects of a nutritionally balanced pulse-based diet with the TLC diet on ultrasonographic markers of ovarian morphology, hyperandrogenism, and menstrual irregularity. Women (n=30) randomized to the pulse-based and TLC (n=31) groups completed a 16-week intervention. All women participated in aerobic exercise (minimum 5 days/week; 45 minutes/day) and received health counseling (monthly) about PCOS and the benefits of lifestyle modification. Additionally, we evaluated the effects of the intervention on the reproductive outcomes by longitudinal follow-up of all participants. Follicle numbers per ovary (FNPO, 2-9 mm), ovarian volume (OV), free androgen index (FAI), intermenstrual intervals, and insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR] were evaluated at baseline, 16-week post-intervention, and 6- and 12-month post-intervention follow up visits. Follicle numbers per ovary (mean change ± SD, -10 ± 15), OV (-2.7 ± 4.8 mL), FAI (-3 ± 2), intermenstrual interval (-13 ± 47 days), and body mass index (BMI, -1.6 ± 4.2 kg/m2) decreased, and Matsuda index (1.1 ± 3.1) increased over time in both groups (All: P ≤ 0.01), without group-by-time interactions (All: P ≥ 0.27). Groups maintained reduced OV, FNPO, FAI, and menstrual cycles 6 months post-intervention, despite a propensity for weight regain as evidenced by increased BMI (1.0 ± 4.8 kg/m2; P < 0.01). Decreased FNPO, FAI, and HOMA-IR at 16-week tended to revert to baseline levels 12 months post-intervention in both groups (All: P ≤ 0.05). Both interventions improved ovarian dysmorphology, hyperandrogenism, and menstrual irregularity in women with PCOS. Our observations elucidate the importance of longitudinal surveillance for sustainable adherence to newly adopted healthy lifestyle behaviors and reproductive health in PCOS (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01288638).

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Mobile Phone Short Message Service (SMS) for Weight Management in Iranian Overweight and Obese Women: A Pilot Study

International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications ◽

10.1155/2013/785654 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Somayeh Faghanipour ◽

Eftekharalsadat Hajikazemi ◽

Soghra Nikpour ◽

Shabnam al-Sadat Shariatpanahi ◽

Agha Fatemeh Hosseini

Keyword(s):

Weight Management ◽

Text Messaging ◽

Text Message ◽

Text Messages ◽

Control Group ◽

Obese Women ◽

Clinical Trial Registration ◽

Information Session ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

Experimental Group

We conducted a text message-based intervention for weight management over three months by two months intervention and one month wash-out period. In a quasi-experimental study with control () and experimental group (), 80 overweight and obese employed women were entered. Participants were recruited via announcement. All subjects attended a face-to-face information session and received a booklet that contained food calorie chart and strategies and recommendations for weight management. The experimental group received text messages (SMS) about weight management twice a day for two months, in addition to the information and the booklet which they had received in the information session. Also, the experimental group was instructed to weekly self-weight and to send the data to the principle researcher. All subjects were measured for baseline and secondary weight in a standardized manner by a nurse, and the data were compared between the two groups. Experimental group lost more weight than the control group (1.5 kg difference, ). Text messaging seems to be an effective channel of communication for weight management in Iranian overweight and obese women. The clinical trial registration number isIRCT201204029360N1.

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