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

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.

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

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).

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

Sexual Health ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 167
Author(s):  
Alisa E. Pedrana ◽  
Jamie Pina ◽  
Retna S. Padmawati ◽  
Ririh Zuhrina ◽  
Lutfan Lazuardi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Knowledge Score ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Sms Intervention ◽  
Quasi Experimental

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.

scholarly journals Use of Short Messaging Service to Improve Follow-Up for Abnormal Pap Test Results in Minority and Medically Underserved Women in North Carolina: Questionnaire on Attitudes and Acceptability

10.2196/12675 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. e12675 ◽  
Author(s):  
LaHoma Smith Romocki ◽  
Andrea Des Marais ◽  
Leslie Cofie ◽  
Chelsea Anderson ◽  
Theresa Curington ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Pap Test ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Follow Up Care ◽  
To Receive

Background An estimated one in eight cervical cancer cases are due to a lack of follow-up care for abnormal Pap test results. Low rates of completion of follow-up care particularly affect low-income minority women. The burden of cervical cancer could be reduced through interventions that improve timely colposcopy follow-up and treatment of abnormal screening results. Mobile communications via text messaging present a low-cost opportunity to increase rates of clinic return among women referred to follow-up after obtaining abnormal screening results. Objective Our aims were to determine the acceptability and feasibility of using text messaging to increase completion of follow-up care following abnormal cervical cancer screening (Pap test) results and to examine factors that may affect the acceptability and use of text messaging to increase communications between health care providers (HCP) and low-income minority women. Methods The study participants were 15 low-income women who had undergone a Pap test within the preceding 12 months. Semistructured interviews, including open- and closed-ended questions from a validated questionnaire, were conducted by phone or in person. Responses to closed-ended survey items were tabulated, and descriptive statistics were generated using Microsoft Excel. Responses to the open-ended questions were coded and analyzed using NVivo 11 qualitative analysis software. Results Nearly all participants (14/15, 93%) were comfortable receiving a text message from an HCP stating that their Pap test results were available (<40 years: 100%; ≥40 years: 86%). Over half (8/15; 53%) of the participants were comfortable receiving a text message stating that their Pap test results were abnormal, although many preferred to receive such information via a phone call (6/15; 40%). Most participants (9/15; 60%) believed that receiving a text reminder would make them more likely to attend their appointment. The preferred method for receiving a reminder appeared to vary by age, with older women preferring telephone reminders over text messaging reminders. Analysis of open-ended questions suggested that text messaging appeals to some women due to its wide use and convenience for communicating with HCPs. However, women cited concerns about the confidentiality of messages and barriers to understanding the messages, including the physical capacity to read and accurately interpret the content of the messaging. Conclusions Most participants indicated a willingness to receive text messages from their HCPs about cervical cancer screening results and believed that text messages were the best way to remind them of appointments for follow-up care. Potential concerns could be addressed by excluding explicit references to the nature of the appointment in the text message in order to avoid disclosure of sensitive health information to unauthorized individuals. Although text messaging seems promising to improve adherence to timely follow-up, personal preferences should be considered by allowing patients to opt-out of text communications.

scholarly journals Text messaging research participants as a follow-up strategy to decrease emergency department study attrition

CJEM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Varner ◽  
Shelley McLeod ◽  
Negine Nahiddi ◽  
Bjug Borgundvaag
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Randomized Trial ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Research Participants ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Study Participants

AbstractObjectiveCollecting patient-reported follow-up data for prospective studies in the emergency department (ED) is challenging in this minimal continuity setting. The objective of this study was to determine whether text messaging study participants involved in an ongoing randomized trial resulted in a lower rate of attrition as compared to conventional telephone follow-up.MethodsThis was a nested cohort analysis of research participants enrolled in a randomized controlled trial assessing head injury discharge instructions. During the first 4 months of study follow-up, participants were contacted by a conventional telephone call. For the final 3 months, participants were contacted by text messaging following the first failed telephone attempt.ResultsA total of 118 patients were enrolled in the study (78 underwent conventional follow-up, and 40 received text messages). During the period of conventional follow-up, 3 participants withdrew from the study. Of the remaining 75 participants, 24 (32.0%) at 2 weeks and 32 (42.7%) at 4 weeks were unable to be contacted. Of the 40 participants receiving a reminder text message, 4 (10.0%) at 2 weeks and 10 (25.0%) at 4 weeks were unable to be contacted. Overall, text messaging study participants decreased attrition by 22% (95% CI: 5.9%, 34.7%) and 17.7% (95% CI: -0.8%, 33.3%) at 2- and 4-week follow-ups, respectively.ConclusionsIn this ED cohort participating in a randomized trial, text message reminders of upcoming telephone follow-up interviews decreased the rate of attrition. Text messaging is a viable, low-cost communication strategy that can improve follow-up participation in prospective research studies.

scholarly journals MyDiaText™: Feasibililty and Functionality of a Text Messaging System for Youth With Type 1 Diabetes

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tara Kaushal ◽  
Kathleen A. Montgomery ◽  
Reid Simon ◽  
Kelly Lord ◽  
Jennifer Dougherty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 1 Diabetes ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
Reading Text

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and functionality of MyDiaText™, a website and text messaging platform created to support behavior change in adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and to evaluate user satisfaction of the application. Methods This study was a nonrandomized, prospective, pilot trial to test the feasibility and user interface with MyDiaText, a text message system for 10- to 17-year-old youths with newly diagnosed T1DM. Feasibility was evaluated by assessing for the user’s ability to create a profile on the website. Functionality was defined by assessing whether a subject responded to at least 2 text messages per week and by their accumulating points on the website. User satisfaction of the text messaging system was assessed using an electronic survey. The 4 phases of this study were community engagement—advisory sessions, screening and enrollment, intervention, and follow-up. Results Twenty subjects (14 male, 6 female) were enrolled. All subjects were able to create a profile, and of these, 86% responded to at least 2 text messages per week. A survey administered during follow-up showed that users enjoyed reading text messages, found them useful, and thought the frequency of messages was appropriate. Conclusion MyDiaText is a feasible, functional behavioral support tool for youth with T1DM. Users of the application reported high satisfaction with text messages and the reward system.

scholarly journals Feasibility and efficacy of text messaging to promote care among trauma patients screened for HIV at an urban emergency department in Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gimbo M. Hyuha ◽  
Hendry R. Sawe ◽  
Said Kilindimo ◽  
Raya Y. Mussa ◽  
Masuma A. Gulamhussein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Hiv Negative

Abstract Background Due to the high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Tanzania, provider-initiated HIV testing for patients attending any health care setting is recommended. However, follow-up and linkage to care by those tested remain poor. We determined the feasibility and efficacy of text messaging to promote follow-up among otherwise healthy trauma patients who underwent provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling at an emergency department (ED) in Tanzania. Material and methods This randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) ED between September 2019 and February 2020. Adult trauma patients consenting to HIV testing and follow-up text messaging were randomized to standard care (pre-test and post-test counseling) or standard care plus a series of three short message service (SMS) text message reminders for follow-up in an HIV clinic, if positive, or for retesting, if negative. Investigators blinded to the study assignment called participants 2 months after the ED visit if HIV-positive or 4 months if HIV-negative. We compared the proportion of people in the intervention and control groups completing recommended follow-up. Secondary outcomes were the proportion of patients agreeing to testing, proportion of patients agreeing to receiving text messages, and the proportion of HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients in each study arm who followed up. Results Of the 290 patients approached, 255 (87.9%) opted-in for testing and agreed to receive a text message. The median age of the study population was 29 [IQR 24–40] years. There were 127 patients randomized to the intervention group and 128 to the control group. The automated SMS system verified that 381 text messages in total were successfully sent. We traced 242 (94.9%) participants: 124 (51.2%) in the intervention group and 18 (488%) in the control group. A total of 100 (39.2%) subjects reported completing a follow-up visit, of which 77 (60.6%) were from the intervention group and 23 (17.9%) were from the control group (RR = 3.4, 95% CI 2.3–5.0). This resulted in a number needed to treat (NNT) of 2.3. Of the 246 HIV-negative participants, 37% underwent repeat screening: 59% of those in the intervention group and 16% in the control group (RR = 3.7, P = < 0.0001, NNT 2.3). Among the nine positive patients, all five in the intervention group and only three in the controls had follow-up visits. Conclusion Automated text message is a feasible and effective way to increase follow-up in HIV-tested individuals in a limited income country.

scholarly journals LO084: Text messaging research participants as a follow-up strategy to decrease emergency department study attrition

CJEM ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (S1) ◽  
pp. S59-S59
Author(s):  
C. Varner ◽  
S.L. McLeod ◽  
N. Nahiddi ◽  
B. Borgundvaag
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Head Injury ◽  
Randomized Trial ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Research Participants ◽  
Study Participants

Introduction: Collecting patient-reported follow-up data for prospective studies in the emergency department (ED) is challenging in this acute care, minimal continuity setting. Follow-up is frequently attempted using telephone contact and in some instances mail correspondence. The objective of this study was to determine if text messaging study participants involved in an ongoing randomized trial resulted in a lower rate of attrition as compared to conventional telephone follow-up. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of research participants enrolled in a randomized controlled trial assessing head injury discharge instructions. Adult (18-64 years) patients presenting to an academic ED (annual census 65,000) with chief complaint ‘head injury’ occurring within 24 hours of ED visit were contacted by telephone 2 and 4 weeks post ED visit to complete a symptom questionnaire. During the first 4 months of study follow-up, participants were contacted by a conventional telephone call. Attrition was higher than anticipated, thus we received subsequent ethics approval for the final 3 months of follow-up duration to contact participants by text message on the day of the first telephone attempt as a reminder of the telephone interview scheduled later that day. The proportion of patients lost to follow-up at 2 and 4 weeks post ED visit was compared between participants not receiving and receiving reminder text messages. Results: 118 patients were enrolled in the study (78 underwent conventional follow-up and 40 received text messages). Mean (SD) age was 35.2 (13.7) years and 43 (36.4%) were male. During the period of conventional follow-up, 3 participants withdrew from the study. Of the remaining 75 participants, 24 (32.0%) at 2 weeks and 32 (42.7%) at 4 weeks were unable to be contacted. Of the 40 participants receiving a reminder text message, 4 (10.0%) at 2 weeks and 10 (25.0%) at 4 weeks were unable to be contacted. Overall, text messaging study participants decreased attrition by 22% (95% CI: 5.9%, 34.7%) and 17.7% (95% CI: -0.8%, 33.3%) at 2 and 4 week follow-up, respectively. Conclusion: In this young ED cohort participating in a randomized trial, text message reminders of upcoming telephone follow-up interviews decreased the rate of attrition. Text messaging is a viable, low-cost communication strategy that can improve follow-up participation in prospective research studies.

A Pilot Study of Mobile Telephone Message Interventions with Suicide Attempters in China

Crisis ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Chen ◽  
Brian L. Mishara ◽  
Xiao Xian Liu
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Mobile Telephone ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Quick Method ◽  
Suicide Attempters ◽  
To Receive

Background: In China, where follow-up with hospitalized attempters is generally lacking, there is a great need for inexpensive and effective means of maintaining contact and decreasing recidivism. Aims: Our objective was to test whether mobile telephone message contacts after discharge would be feasible and acceptable to suicide attempters in China. Methods: Fifteen participants were recruited from suicide attempters seen in the Emergency Department in Wuhan, China, to participate in a pilot study to receive mobile telephone messages after discharge. All participants have access to a mobile telephone, and there is no charge for the user to receive text messages. Results: Most participants (12) considered the text message contacts an acceptable and useful form of help and would like to continue to receive them for a longer period of time. Conclusions: This suggests that, as a low-cost and quick method of intervention in areas where more intensive follow-up is not practical or available, telephone messages contacts are accessible, feasible, and acceptable to suicide attempters. We hope that this will inspire future research on regular and long-term message interventions to prevent recidivism in suicide attempters.

Text Messaging as a Mental Health Treatment Intervention: A Corpus-Based Study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Partch ◽  
Cass Dykeman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Treatment Session ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Health Treatment ◽  
Emotional Tone

Mental health treatment providers seek high-impact and low-cost means of engaging clients in care. As such, text messaging is becoming more frequently utilized as a means of communication between provider and client. Research demonstrates that text message interventions increase treatment session attendance, decrease symptomology, and improve overall functioning. However, research is lacking related to the linguistic make up of provider communications. Text messages were collected from previously published articles related to the treatment of mental health disorders. A corpus of 39 mental health treatment text message interventions was composed totaling 286 words. Using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) software, messages were analyzed for prevalence of terminology thought to enhance client engagement. Clout, demonstrating the writer’s confidence and expertise, and positive Emotional Tone were found to be at a high level within the corpus. Results demonstrated statistical significance for five linguistic variables. When compared with national blog norms derived from Twitter, Clout, Emotional Tone, and use of Biological terminology were found to be at higher rates than expected. Authenticity and Informal terminology were found at significantly lesser rates.

Nudge me: tailoring text messages for prescription adherence through N-of-1 interviews

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joy Waughtal ◽  
Phat Luong ◽  
Lisa Sandy ◽  
Catia Chavez ◽  
P Michael Ho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Multiple Chronic Conditions ◽  
Medication Refill ◽  
Interactive Text ◽  
Prompt Action ◽  
Negative Messages

Abstract Almost 50% of patients with cardiovascular diseases face challenges in taking medications and increased morbidity and mortality. Text messaging may impact medication refill behavior and can be delivered at scale to patients by texting mobile phones. To obtain feedback from persons with chronic conditions on the design of interactive text messages and determine language of message for making messages that can motivate patients to refill medications on time. We purposively sampled 35 English and Spanish speaking patients with at least one chronic condition from three large healthcare delivery systems to participate in N-of-1 video-based synchronous interviews. Research assistants shared ideas for theory-informed text messages with content intended to persuade patients to refill their medication. We transcribed recorded interviews and conducted a content analysis to identify strategies to employ generating a dynamic interactive text message library intended to increase medication refill. Those interviewed were of diverse age and race/ethnicity and typical of persons with multiple chronic conditions. Several participants emphasized that personally tailored and positively framed messages would be more persuasive than generic and/or negative messages. Some patients appreciated humor and messages that could evoke a sense of social support from their providers and rejected the use of emojis. Messages to remind patients to refill medications may facilitate improvements in adherence, which in turn can improve chronic care. Designing messages that are persuasive and can prompt action is feasible and should be considered given the ease with which such messages can be delivered automatically at scale.

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