scholarly journals Mobile Health for Tuberculosis Management in South India: Is Video-Based Directly Observed Treatment an Acceptable Alternative? (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anil A Kumar ◽  
Ayesha De Costa ◽  
Arundathi Das ◽  
GA Srinivasa ◽  
George D'Souza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Treatment Adherence ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
South India ◽  
P Value ◽  
Usage Patterns ◽  
Directly Observed Treatment ◽  
Voice Calls

BACKGROUND With the availability of low-cost mobile devices and the ease of internet access, mobile health (mHealth) is digitally revolutionizing the health sector even in resource-constrained settings. It is however necessary to assess end-user perceptions before deploying potential interventions. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the mobile phone usage patterns and the acceptability of mobile phone support during care and treatment in patients with tuberculosis (TB) in South India. METHODS This exploratory study was conducted at an urban private tertiary care teaching hospital and nearby public primary-level health care facilities in Bangalore, South India. We recruited 185 patients with TB through consecutive sampling. Subsequent to written informed consent, participants responded to an interviewer-administered pretested questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions on demographics, phone usage patterns, and the benefits of using of mobile phone technology to improve health outcomes and treatment adherence. Frequency, mean, median, and SD or interquartile range were used to describe the data. Bivariate associations were assessed between demographics, clinical details, phone usage, and mHealth communication preferences using the chi-square test and odds ratios. Associations with a P value ≤.20 were included in a logistic regression model. A P value of <.05 was considered significant. RESULTS Of the 185 participants, 151 (81.6%) used a mobile phone, and half of them owned a smartphone. The primary use of the mobile phone was to communicate over voice calls (147/151, 97.4%). The short message service (SMS) text messaging feature was used by only 66/151 (43.7%) mobile phone users. A total of 87 of the 151 mobile phone users (57.6%) knew how to use the camera. Only 41/151 (27.2%) mobile phone users had used their mobile phones to communicate with their health care providers. Although receiving medication reminders via mobile phones was acceptable to all participants, 2 participants considered repeated reminders as an intrusion of their privacy. A majority of the participants (137/185, 74.1%) preferred health communications via voice calls. Of the total participants, 123/185 (66.5%) requested reminders to be sent only at specific times during the day, 22/185 (11.9%) suggested reminders should synchronize with their prescribed medication schedule, whereas 40/185 (21.6%) did not have any time preferences. English literacy was associated with a preference for SMS in comparison with voice calls. Most participants (142/185, 76.8%) preferred video-based directly observed treatment when compared with in-person directly observed treatment. CONCLUSIONS Although mobile phones for supporting health and treatment adherence were acceptable to patients with TB, mHealth interventions should consider language, mode of communication, and preferred timing for communication to improve uptake.

Correlating Personality and Actual Phone Usage

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 158-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Montag ◽  
Konrad Błaszkiewicz ◽  
Bernd Lachmann ◽  
Ionut Andone ◽  
Rayna Sariyska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Big Data ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Psychological Variables ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Report Data ◽  
Self Report Data ◽  
Voice Calls

In the present study we link self-report-data on personality to behavior recorded on the mobile phone. This new approach from Psychoinformatics collects data from humans in everyday life. It demonstrates the fruitful collaboration between psychology and computer science, combining Big Data with psychological variables. Given the large number of variables, which can be tracked on a smartphone, the present study focuses on the traditional features of mobile phones – namely incoming and outgoing calls and SMS. We observed N = 49 participants with respect to the telephone/SMS usage via our custom developed mobile phone app for 5 weeks. Extraversion was positively associated with nearly all related telephone call variables. In particular, Extraverts directly reach out to their social network via voice calls.

scholarly journals Clinical and Morphological Profile of Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura in Children - A Five Year Study in a Paediatric Tertiary Health Care Centre of South India

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (46) ◽  
pp. 2724-2729
Author(s):  
Ashida M. Krishnan ◽  
Deepthi Raj M.L ◽  
Priya V.S ◽  
Arya R.S
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
South India ◽  
P Value ◽  
Severe Thrombocytopenia ◽  
Care Centre ◽  
Health Care Centre ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura

BACKGROUND Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP) is one of the most commonly encountered disease in paediatric practice. Thorough clinical and morphological study of peripheral blood and bone marrow is required for confirming ITP. Clinicomorphological aspects of paediatric ITP is a less studied topic especially in developing countries like India. The objective was to study the clinical and morphological profile of paediatric cases of ITP. METHODS This is a 5-year record based retrospective study conducted in a paediatric tertiary health care centre in Kerala, South India. Data of all paediatric cases diagnosed as ITP including clinical presentation, clinical findings, blood counts, peripheral blood morphology, bone marrow morphology, and treatment response was collected and entered in SPSS software version 16.0 and analysed. For assessing correlation, chi-square test was used. RESULTS The age of children ranged from 3 months to 15 years. H/o viral fever was noted in 53 % cases. Cases which had moderate and severe thrombocytopenia were 74 % and 21 % respectively. Isolated thrombocytopenia was the most common peripheral blood picture observed with few cases showing coexisting eosinophilia and anaemia. All cases showed megakaryocyte proliferation in marrow with 9 % cases showing coexisting iron deficiency anaemia. Majority of cases showed rapid response to steroid / IVIG therapy and the response had no correlation with grade of thrombocytopenia (p value < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Paediatric cases of ITP usually present following viral infections or vaccination, with worrisome bleeding episodes, petechiae, ecchymosis or purpura. KEYWORDS ITP, Paediatrics, Platelet Count, Thrombocytopenia, Vaccination

scholarly journals Assessing the Effectiveness and Acceptability of a Personalized Mobile Phone App in Improving Adherence to Oral Hygiene Advice in Orthodontic Patients: Protocol for a Feasibility Study and a Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/18021 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e18021
Author(s):  
Mohammad Owaise Sharif ◽  
Jonathon Timothy Newton ◽  
Susan J Cunningham
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Orthodontic Treatment ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Adherence To Treatment ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Background Orthodontic treatment is a common health care intervention; treatment duration can be lengthy (2-3 years on average), and adherence to treatment advice is therefore essential for successful outcomes. It has been reported that up to 43% of patients fail to complete treatment, and there are currently no useful predictors of noncompletion. Given that the National Health Service England annual expenditure on primary-care orthodontic treatment is in excess of £200 million (US $267 million), noncompletion of treatment represents a significant inefficient use of public resources. Improving adherence to treatment is therefore essential. This necessitates behavior change, and interventions that improve adherence and are designed to elicit behavioral change must address an individual’s capability, opportunity, and motivation. Mobile phones are potentially an invaluable tool in this regard, as they are readily available and can be used in a number of ways to address an individual’s capability, opportunity, and motivation. Objective This study will assess the effectiveness and acceptability of a personalized mobile phone app in improving adherence to orthodontic treatment advice by way of a randomized controlled trial. Methods This study will be conducted in 2 phases at the Eastman Dental Hospital, University College London Hospitals Foundation Trust. Phase 1 is feasibility testing of the My Braces app. Participants will be asked to complete the user version of the Mobile Application Rating Scale. The app will be amended following analysis of the responses, if appropriate. Phase 2 is a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness and acceptability of the My Braces app. Results This study was approved by the London – Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee on November 5, 2019 (reference 19/LO/1555). No patients have been recruited to date. The anticipated start date for recruitment to phase 1 is October 2020. Conclusions Given the availability, affordability, and versatility of mobile phones, it is proposed that they will aid in improving adherence to treatment advice and hence improve treatment completion rates. If effective, the applicability of this methodology to developing behavior change/modification interventions and improving adherence to treatment across health care provides an exciting opportunity. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04184739; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04184739 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/18021

A Survey of Mobile Phone Use in Older Adults

2007 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young Seok Lee
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mobile Phone Use ◽  
Usage Patterns ◽  
Basic Features ◽  
Older Adult Population

Mobile phone adoption by older adults is radically increasing. As a part of multiple empirical studies to improve older adults' experiences with mobile phones, a survey was conducted to investigate a number of specific aspects of mobile phone use in the older adult population including motives of ownership, usage patterns, preferences on mobile phone features, and perceived usability of their own phones. A total of 154 older adults from 20 states of the United States who owned a mobile phone participated in this study. Results indicated that participants used a few basic features of mobile phones since they used them mainly for personal communication and safety reasons. Overall, participants perceived that their current phones offered marginal “ease of use”, but they found most usability problems with understanding error messages, inputting text, and understanding user manuals. The majority of older adults (over 50%) desired a phone with basic features that include making /receiving a call, phonebook, emergency call, voice message checking, speed dial, ringer change, and clock. However, effects of age and gender were found on mobile phone usage patterns and design preferences, which suggest a need of focusing on diverse groups within the older adult population.

scholarly journals A Mobile Health Wallet for Pregnancy-Related Health Care in Madagascar: Mixed-Methods Study on Opportunities and Challenges (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadine Muller ◽  
Peter Martin Ferdinand Emmrich ◽  
Elsa Niritiana Rajemison ◽  
Jan-Walter De Neve ◽  
Till Bärnighausen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Maternal Health ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Maternal Health Care ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Financial Barriers ◽  
Out Of Pocket Payments ◽  
Skilled Health

BACKGROUND Mobile savings and payment systems have been widely adopted to store money and pay for a variety of services, including health care. However, the possible implications of these technologies on financing and payment for maternal health care services—which commonly require large 1-time out-of-pocket payments—have not yet been systematically assessed in low-resource settings. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the structural, contextual, and experiential characteristics of a mobile phone–based savings and payment platform, the Mobile Health Wallet (MHW), for skilled health care during pregnancy among women in Madagascar. METHODS We used a 2-stage cluster random sampling scheme to select a representative sample of women utilizing either routine antenatal (ANC) or routine postnatal care (PNC) in public sector health facilities in 2 of 8 urban and peri-urban districts of Antananarivo, Madagascar (Atsimondrano and Renivohitra districts). In a quantitative structured survey among 412 randomly selected women attending ANC or PNC, we identified saving habits, mobile phone use, media consumptions, and perception of an MHW with both savings and payment functions. To confirm and explain the quantitative results, we used qualitative data from 6 semistructured focus group discussions (24 participants in total) in the same population. RESULTS 59.3% (243/410, 95% CI 54.5-64.1) saved toward the expected costs of delivery and, out of those, 64.4% (159/247, 95% CI 58.6-70.2) used household cash savings for this purpose. A total of 80.3% (331/412, 95% CI 76.5-84.1) had access to a personal or family phone and 35.7% (147/412, 95% CI 31.1-40.3) previously used Mobile Money services. Access to skilled health care during pregnancy was primarily limited because of financial obstacles such as saving difficulties or unpredictability of costs. Another key barrier was the lack of information about health benefits or availability of services. The general concept of an MHW for saving toward and payment of pregnancy-related care, including the restriction of payments, was perceived as beneficial and practicable by the majority of participants. In the discussions, several themes pointed to opportunities for ensuring the success of an MHW through design features: (1) intuitive technical ease of use, (2) clear communication and information about benefits and restrictions, and (3) availability of personal customer support. CONCLUSIONS Financial obstacles are a major cause of limited access to skilled maternal health care in Madagascar. An MHW for skilled health care during pregnancy was perceived as a useful and desirable tool to reduce financial barriers among women in urban Madagascar. The design of this tool and the communication strategy will likely be the key to success. Particularly important dimensions of design include technical user friendliness and accessible and personal customer service.

scholarly journals Smartloss: A Personalized Mobile Health Intervention for Weight Management and Health Promotion

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e18
Author(s):  
Corby K Martin ◽  
L. Anne Gilmore ◽  
John W Apolzan ◽  
Candice A Myers ◽  
Diana M Thomas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Behavior Change ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Weight Management ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Mobile Health ◽  
Treatment Fidelity ◽  
Health Improvement ◽  
The Individual

Background Synonymous with increased use of mobile phones has been the development of mobile health (mHealth) technology for improving health, including weight management. Behavior change theory (eg, the theory of planned behavior) can be effectively encapsulated into mobile phone-based health improvement programs, which is fostered by the ability of mobile phones and related devices to collect and transmit objective data in near real time and for health care or research professionals and clients to communicate easily. Objective To describe SmartLoss, a semiautomated mHealth platform for weight loss. Methods We developed and validated a dynamic energy balance model that determines the amount of weight an individual will lose over time if they are adherent to an energy intake prescription. This model was incorporated into computer code that enables adherence to a prescribed caloric prescription determined from the change in body weight of the individual. Data from the individual are then used to guide personalized recommendations regarding weight loss and behavior change via a semiautomated mHealth platform called SmartLoss, which consists of 2 elements: (1) a clinician dashboard and (2) a mobile phone app. SmartLoss includes and interfaces with a network-connected bathroom scale and a Bluetooth-connected accelerometer, which enables automated collection of client information (eg, body weight change and physical activity patterns), as well as the systematic delivery of preplanned health materials and automated feedback that is based on client data and is designed to foster prolonged adherence with body weight, diet, and exercise goals. The clinician dashboard allows for efficient remote monitoring of all clients simultaneously, which may further increase adherence, personalization of treatment, treatment fidelity, and efficacy. Results Evidence of the efficacy of the SmartLoss approach has been reported previously. The present report provides a thorough description of the SmartLoss Virtual Weight Management Suite, a professionally programmed platform that facilitates treatment fidelity and the ability to customize interventions and disseminate them widely. Conclusions SmartLoss functions as a virtual weight management clinic that relies upon empirical weight loss research and behavioral theory to promote behavior change and weight loss.

scholarly journals Women Using Mobile Phones for Health Communication Are More Likely to Use Prenatal and Postnatal Services in Bangladesh: Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shangfeng Tang ◽  
Bishwajit Ghose ◽  
Md Rakibul Hoque ◽  
Gang Hao ◽  
Sanni Yaya
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Maternal Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Maternal Health Care ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mobile Phone Use ◽  
Delivery Services

BACKGROUND The public health system in Bangladesh has been struggling to provide coverage and utilization of basic maternal health care services in pursuit of achieving maternal and child mortality-related goals. Interestingly, the rapid popularization of mobile technology in the country is transforming the landscape of health care access and delivery. However, little is known regarding the use of mobile phones from the perspective of maternal health care service utilization. OBJECTIVE In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and sociodemographic pattern of mobile phone use for health services among women and relationship between the use of mobile phone use and the uptake of essential maternal health services (MHSs). METHODS Cross-sectional data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey on 4494 mothers aged between 15 and 39 years were used in the analysis. Using mobile phones to get health services or advice was hypothesized to have a positive association with the uptake of basic MHSs (antenatal care, ANC, facility delivery services, postnatal care) and postnatal care for the newborn. Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariable techniques. RESULTS More than a quarter (1276/4494, 28.4%; 95% CI 26.8-30.3) of the women aged 15-39 years reported using mobile phones to get health services with significant sociodemographic variations in the use of mobile phones. Analysis of the specific purposes revealed that, in most cases, mobile phones were used to contact service providers and consult with the same about what to do, whereas a smaller proportion reported using mobile phone for the purposes of arranging money and transportation. Multivariable analysis showed that compared with respondents who reported not using mobile phones for health care services, those who used them had higher odds of making 3+ ANC visits and delivering at a health facility. The odds were slightly higher for rural residents than for those in the urban areas. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study conclude that women who use mobile phones are more likely to use ANC and professional delivery services than those who do not. More in-depth studies are necessary to understand the mechanism through which mobile phone-based services enhance the uptake of maternal health care.

scholarly journals The Cedar Project - Mobile Phone Use and Acceptability of Mobile Health Among Young Indigenous People Who Have Used Drugs in British Columbia, Canada: Mixed Methods Exploratory Study

10.2196/16783 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. e16783
Author(s):  
Kate Jongbloed ◽  
Margo E Pearce ◽  
Vicky Thomas ◽  
Richa Sharma ◽  
Sherri Pooyak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
British Columbia ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Indigenous People ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Mobile Phone Use ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Prevention And Treatment

Background Indigenous leaders continue to be concerned about high rates of HIV and barriers to HIV treatment among young Indigenous people involved in substance use. Growing evidence suggests that using mobile phones for health (mHealth) may be a powerful way to support connection with health services, including HIV prevention and treatment. Objective This study examined the patterns of mobile phone ownership and use among young Indigenous people who have used drugs living with or vulnerable to HIV and explored the acceptability of mHealth to support access to health care in this population. Methods The Cedar Project is a cohort study involving young Indigenous people who have used drugs in Vancouver and Prince George, British Columbia. This mixed methods exploratory study involved 131 Cedar Project participants enrolled in our WelTel mHealth program. At enrollment, participants completed a questionnaire related to mobile phone use and interest in mHealth. Data were linked to Cedar Project questionnaires and serodata. We present comparative statistics (quantitative) and results of a rapid thematic analysis (qualitative) related to mobile phone patterns and interest in receiving mHealth. Results Less than half of the participants (59/130; 45.4%) reported owning a phone. Among those with a phone, the majority owned a smartphone (46/59; 78%). Most participants with a phone reported having an unlimited texting plan (39/55; 71%), using the internet on their phone (44/59; 75%), and texting daily (44/55; 80%). A majority reported that using a mobile phone for health would be invaluable (120/130; 92.3%). There were no differences in mHealth acceptance between participants who owned a phone and those who did not (P>.99). All but one participant living with HIV felt using a mobile phone would be helpful for their health, while a small proportion of HIV-negative participants remained unsure (1.9% vs 11.7%; P=.047). In response to open-ended questions asking why using a mobile phone may be helpful for health, participants identified a diverse set of anticipated benefits: (1) connection for emotional, mental, and spiritual support, (2) connection to family, (3) staying in touch and/or being reachable, (4) overcoming current barriers to phone use, (5) convenience, privacy, and safety, and (6) access to health care and emergency services. Conclusions We observed high acceptance and interest in using mobile phone technology for health despite low rates of personal mobile phone connectivity among young Indigenous people who have used drugs living with and vulnerable to HIV in British Columbia, Canada. Mobile phones were viewed as a way to support connections and relationships that are seen as critical to health and well-being among young Indigenous people in this study. Findings may be useful for health care providers preparing to scale up mHealth programs to support HIV prevention and treatment in this population.

scholarly journals Investigating Different Dimensions of Nomophobia among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 573-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Darvishi ◽  
Majid Noori ◽  
Mohammad Reza Nazer ◽  
Soheil Sheikholeslami ◽  
Ebrahim Karimi
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Cell Phone ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
P Value ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Significance Level

BACKGROUND: Today, mobile phones are recognised as an inseparable part of our daily lives, facilitating communication between users. Based on the studies, addiction to cell phones can lead to several complications including depression, anxiety, anger, and aggression. AIM: This study aimed to investigate nomophobia (no mobile phone phobia) among medical students of Islamic Azad University, Tehran Branch. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 students studying in different majors of medical sciences in Islamic Azad University, Tehran Branch, from 2016 to 2017. Demographic data of all participants were recorded in a data sheet. In the next stage, a questionnaire was designed by the researcher to evaluate the effect of age, gender, education, and the duration of using cell phone variables on discomfort, anxiety, and insecurity due to lack of access to cell phone or other related issues. Raw data were analysed using SPSS statistical software version 21. The significance level was considered P < 0.05. RESULTS: The results of the study showed that participants with lower mean age felt more discomfort, anger, anxiety, and insecurity due to lack of access to mobile phones and other related issues compared to other people. However, no variable was statistically significant (P-value > 0.05). Except anxiety, results showed that longer duration of mobile phone use might lead to a significant decrease in discomfort, anger, and insensibility variables among users (P-value > 0.05). The incidence of nomophobia (with its different aspects) was significantly lower in females (P-value > 0.05). Also, in participants with higher educational status, the nomophobia was recorded to be more frequent (P-Value > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Understanding the pattern of nomophobia occurrence among cell phone users can facilitate our path to prevent its harms including discomfort, anger, anxiety, and feeling of insecurity among users of technology.

Mundane Mobile Maintenance, Entrapment, and Hyper-Coordination

2015 ◽  
pp. 108-116
Author(s):  
Jeffrey A. Hall ◽  
Natalie Pennington
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Mobile Communication ◽  
Personal Relationships ◽  
The Everyday ◽  
Communication Practices ◽  
Voice Calls ◽  
Global Population

This article reviews literature associated with mundane mobile maintenance, entrapment, and hyper-coordination. Licoppe and Huertin (2001) and Ling and Ytrri (2002) first noted the important role of mobile phones in users' personal relationships. Much more than a device to make voice calls, the mobile phone has become highly integrated into the everyday interactions of vast segments of the global population. But with greater connectivity comes the possibility of dependency and anxiety. The integration and domestication of mobile phones can lead to heightened expectations of interpersonal connection and availability, which may result in feelings of entrapment and guilt. By providing a foundation in the earliest research on these inter-related topics and highlighting recent key studies, this article provides a thorough background of research on this subset of mobile communication practices.

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