Educational Text Messages Research Articles

Abstract NS 10: eHealth is Necessary in Stroke Education

Introduction: The use of the internet and new technologies to conduct electronic outreach and education (e-Outreach) will help to decrease stroke morbidity and mortality. Due to the near omni-presence of the internet and computers in society today, it is necessary to utilize these electronic resources to truly conduct outreach and educate the public. Background: In 2004, a phone-based survey of 800 households in Alameda County found that only 10% of those surveyed held a basic-level of knowledge about stroke. In that same year, 50% of stroke patients died before reaching the emergency department. Based on these data, a stroke outreach and education committee was created which did not limit its outreach to physical interactions but also incorporated e-Outreach. With at least 60% of the U.S. population owning a computer and 85% owning a mobile device, using the internet and electronic devices for stroke education can eliminate some of the barriers that prevent populations - which are not connected to health care facilities - from being educated about stroke. Purpose: To prevent strokes and educate the community on how to identify and react to the signs and symptoms of stroke. To provide guidelines on how to conduct e-Outreach in the area of stroke. Methods/Results: After an evaluation of the community's needs, different methods to conduct e-Outreach were chosen based on available educational materials and relevant technologies. Three chosen methods include: (1) publish a biannual newsletter through a web-based service (∼300 readers per issue); (2) produce a stroke film and then post it on YouTube (∼140 views per month and over 4000 views in total, worldwide); and (3) develop and pilot a "stand-alone touch-screen computer" (kiosk) program in a church (∼200 users in the first three months) to reach populations that do not regularly use the computer/internet nor attend regular medical appointments. Monthly goals were set at various stages of this process and evaluated to monitor the progress. Conclusion: The use of e-Outreach has been a huge success in conducting outreach and education. e-Outreach has proven to be far more effective in reaching a more broad population than was previously possible and automated tracking systems made the evaluation process more efficient. Leveraging the free resources available through these technologies has proven an excellent addition to our in-person outreach methods. Our plans to expand our e-Outreach efforts include using text messages for stroke education and developing a computer application that will allow users to do a self-examination using the Act F.A.S.T. test. Additionally, we plan to conduct another survey (incorporating e-Outreach methods) in Fall 2011 to gauge the level of stroke literacy and outcome of stroke death prior to reaching the emergency room.

Effect of Daily Text Messages on Oral Contraceptive Continuation

To estimate whether daily educational text messages affect oral contraceptive pill (OCP) continuation at 6 months. We randomized young women electing OCPs at an urban family planning health center to either routine care or routine care plus 180 days of daily educational text messages. Investigators masked to treatment allocation randomized participants who were not masked to treatment. The primary outcome measure was self-reported OCP continuation through a telephone call at 6 months (contacts between 5 and 8 months). We enrolled 962 participants (480 intervention and 482 routine care) and obtained continuation data on 683 (346 and 337, respectively). At the follow-up, 64% of participants randomized to the intervention were still OCP users compared with 54% of the routine care group (P=.005). Continuation was highest in the intervention group if the interview took place while the intervention was ongoing (75% compared with 54%, P=.003); the effect of the intervention on continuation was less after the intervention ended (60% compared with 54%, P=.16). Participants receiving the intervention were more likely to continue oral contraception than control participants at 6 months (odds ratio 1.44, 95% confidence interval 1.03-2.00) in analyses adjusted for age, race or ethnicity, age at coitarche, pregnancy history, and OCP experience. The use of daily educational text messages improves OCP continuation at 6 months over routine care alone. Ten women would need to receive this simple intervention to improve continuation in one. This effect is strongest in the women whose follow-up took place while the text intervention was ongoing. ClinicalTrials.gov, www.ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00677703.

166. Can Daily Educational Text Messages Improve Young Women's Knowledge of Oral Contraception?

166. Can Daily Educational Text Messages Improve Young Women's Knowledge of Oral Contraception?

Exploring pregnant women's views on influenza vaccination and educational text messages

BackgroundThe influenza vaccine has the potential to reduce morbidity among pregnant women and newborns but immunization coverage remains low. Effective interventions are needed to promote vaccine uptake in this population. PurposeThe goal of this study was to explore attitudes toward influenza vaccination and interest in targeted educational text messages among urban pregnant women. MethodsEnglish and Spanish language focus groups were conducted with pregnant women in New York City in April 2010. Transcripts were independently coded using content analysis. ResultsThe 40 participants ranged in age from 19–35years (mean=26, SD=5). Their gestational age ranged from 8–40weeks (mean=27, SD=8). Most were Latina (85%), had other children (70%), and were publicly insured (78%). Nearly half had received the seasonal influenza or influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine. Barriers to vaccination included concerns regarding vaccine safety and efficacy, misperceptions regarding risks for influenza, and lack of provider recommendation. Pregnant women expressed interest in receiving educational text messages regarding influenza. Even women who had refused the influenza vaccine thought the text messages would encourage vaccine-related discussions during prenatal visits. ConclusionAmong urban pregnant women, educational text messages regarding influenza would be well received and may effectively address current barriers to vaccination.

Txt Now 2 Decrease Pregnancies L8r: a randomized control trial to evaluate the effect of daily educational text messages on oral contraceptive continuation in young urban women

Txt Now 2 Decrease Pregnancies L8r: a randomized control trial to evaluate the effect of daily educational text messages on oral contraceptive continuation in young urban women

Mobile Direct Observation Treatment for Tuberculosis Patients: A Technical Feasibility Pilot Using Mobile Phones in Nairobi, Kenya

Growth in mobile phone penetration has created new opportunities to reach and improve care to underserved, at-risk populations including those with tuberculosis (TB) or HIV/AIDS. This paper summarizes a proof-of-concept pilot designed to provide remote Mobile Direct Observation of Treatment (MDOT) for TB patients. The MDOT model combines Clinic with Community DOT through the use of mobile phone video capture and transmission, alleviating the travel burden for patients and health professionals. Three healthcare professionals along with 13 patients and their treatment supporters were recruited from the Mbagathi District Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. Treatment supporters were asked to take daily videos of the patient swallowing their medications. Patients submitted the videos for review by the health professionals and were asked to view motivational and educational TB text (SMS) and video health messages. Surveys were conducted at intake, 15 days, and 30 days. Data were collected in 2008 and analyzed in 2009. All three health professionals and 11 patients completed the trial. All agreed that MDOT was a viable option, and eight patients preferred MDOT to clinic DOT or DOT through visiting Community Health Workers. MDOT is technically feasible. Both patients and health professionals appear empowered by the ability to communicate with each other and appear receptive to remote MDOT and health messaging over mobile. Further research should be conducted to evaluate whether MDOT (1) improves medication adherence, (2) is cost effective, and (3) can be used to improve treatment compliance for other diseases such as AIDS.

Text messages as a reminder aid and educational tool in adults and adolescents with atopic dermatitis: a pilot study.

Optimal management of atopic dermatitis (AD) requires patients to adhere to self-care behaviors. Technologies, such as cell phones, have been widely adopted in the USA and have potential to reinforce positive health behaviors. We conducted a pilot study with 25 adolescents and adults age 14 years and older [mean 30.5 yrs, SD 13.4] with AD. Daily text messages (TMs) that provided medication reminders and AD education were sent for six weeks to participants. Our goals were to (1) measure changes in pre- and posttest scores in treatment adherence, self-care behaviors, disease severity, and quality of life and (2) assess the usability and satisfaction of the TM system. Significant improvements in treatment adherence, self-care behaviors, skin severity, and quality of life (P ≤ .001, .002, <.001, and .014, resp.) were noted postintervention. User feedback on the TM system was positive with 88% and 92% of participants reporting that the reminder TMs and educational TMs were helpful, respectively. In conclusion, study participants were receptive to using TMs as a reminder aid and educational tool. The positive trends observed are promising and lay the ground work for further studies needed to elucidate the full potential of this simple and cost-effective intervention.