Impact Of Text Message Reminders Research Articles

The impact of text message reminders on cryotherapy uptake among women testing positive for HPV in western Kenya: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundMobile health (mHealth) has become an increasingly popular strategy to improve healthcare delivery and health outcomes. Communicating results and health education via text may facilitate program planning and promote better engagement in care for women undergoing human papillomavirus (HPV) screening. We sought to develop and evaluate an mHealth strategy with enhanced text messaging to improve follow-up throughout the cervical cancer screening cascade.MethodsWomen aged 25–65 participated in HPV testing in six community health campaigns (CHCs) in western Kenya as part of a single arm of a cluster-randomized trial. Women received their HPV results via text message, phone call, or home visit. Those who opted for text in the first four communities received “standard” texts. After completing the fourth CHC, we conducted two semi-structured focus group discussions with women to develop an “enhanced” text strategy, including modifying the content, number, and timing of texts, for the subsequent two communities. We compared the overall receipt of results and follow-up for treatment evaluation among women in standard and enhanced text groups.ResultsAmong 2368 women who were screened in the first four communities, 566 (23.9%) received results via text, 1170 (49.4%) via phone call, and 632 (26.7%) via home visit. In the communities where enhanced text notification was offered, 264 of the 935 screened women (28.2%) opted for text, 474 (51.2%) opted for phone call, and 192 (20.5%) for home visit. Among 555 women (16.8%) who tested HPV-positive, 257 (46.3%) accessed treatment, with no difference in treatment uptake between the standard text group (48/90, 53.3%) and the enhanced text group (22/41, 53.7%). More women in the enhanced text group had prior cervical cancer screening (25.8% vs. 18.4%; p < 0.05) and reported living with HIV (32.6% vs. 20.2%; p < 0.001) than those in the standard text group.ConclusionsModifying the content and number of texts as an enhanced text messaging strategy was not sufficient to increase follow-up in an HPV-based cervical cancer screening program in western Kenya. A one-size approach to mHealth delivery does not meet the needs of all women in this region. More comprehensive programs are needed to improve linkage to care to further reduce structural and logistical barriers to cervical cancer treatment.

Impact of Text Message Reminders on Drug Adherence in Post-Liver Transplant Patients

Non-adherence among post liver transplant recipients may lead to serious consequences. Hence, there is a dire need to improve medication adherence, particularly among post-liver transplant recipients. Till date, no sufficient data has been published related to our study from Sindh province or even from Pakistan. Therefore, this study will not only help highlight the rate of Medication non-adherence but also implementation of a particular method that could be more helpful to improve the adherence among the study population. The main objective of this study was to determine medication adherence in post-liver transplant recipients before and after text message remainders. A cross sectional study was conducted on 103 post liver transplant patients at Pir Abdul Qadir Shah Institute of Medical Sciences Gambat. BAASIS Scale was used to measure medication adherence among study subjects, after that text messages reminders were given to enrolled patients and adherence was measured again using the same scale to determine the impact of text message reminders on adherence. Among enrolled patients, majority of the study subjects were male, whereas only one participant was transgender. Mostly patients belong to rural areas. Majority of the patients were of matriculation pass, while minorities of the patients were primary pass. Majority of the patients were unemployed, while few had non-government jobs, whereas government job study subjects were in minority. Majority of the patients were of age from 41 to 50, where minority of the patients were aged from 61 to 70. Majority of the patients were prescribed four drugs, whereas no any patient was prescribed only one drug. Majority of the patients were prescribed two immunosuppressant drugs while only few study subjects were prescribed only one immunosuppressant drug. Initially 86% patients were non-adherent to therapy, but after text message reminders, adherence was improved from 24% to 80%. This study concluded that the rate of adherence was improved by giving text message reminders to the patients.

Impact of text message reminders on attendance at healthy marriage and relationship education workshops

AbstractObjectiveThis study examined the impacts of different types of text message reminders on couples' attendance at healthy marriage and relationship education (HMRE) workshops.BackgroundRegular attendance is often a challenge for couples participating in HMRE workshops. Studies suggest that nudges can increase attendance at appointments, but there has been little research on their application to family support programs.MethodWe conducted a Bayesian adaptive randomized controlled trial involving 1,742 couples in Florida. We assigned couples to either a control group that received no reminders or one of several treatment groups that received different types of reminders. We compared attendance across groups to estimate impacts of the messages on couples' initial and continued attendance.ResultsSimple reminders that provided only the date and time of the first session increased couples' initial session attendance by 12% compared with the control group. None of the reminders increased continued attendance among couples who attended the first session.ConclusionSimple reminders worked best for increasing initial attendance compared with messages with enhanced content, such as motivational messages, graphics, or peer testimonials. Couples that attended the first session had similarly high rates of continued session attendance regardless of the reminders.ImplicationsText message reminders show potential as a tool for boosting initial attendance at voluntary family support programs.

Effect of Text Message Reminders on Attendance at Cervical Cancer Screening Appointments in a Predominantly Hispanic Population.

Hispanic women have the highest rates of incident cervical cancer in the United States (U.S.) and are 1.9 times more likely to die from cervical cancer than non-Hispanic Whites. Objective: Assess the impact of text message reminders on cervical cancer screening attendance and completion. Design: Pragmatic non-randomized study design using propensity matched analysis. Setting: Community-dwelling low-income females in the U.S./Mexico border community. A total of 2,255 mainly Hispanic females aged 21-65. Methods: Text message reminders in addition to usual care (telephone call reminders). Results: After adjusting for significant factors and propensity score matching, individuals in the text reminder group had 11% lower screening incidence than individuals without text reminders (risk difference [RD] = -0.11, 95% CI: -0.16, -0.05; p < .001). Conclusion: Participants with text reminders were less likely to complete cervical screening than usual practice in a predominantly Hispanic population. Our study demonstrates that reminders' content rather than method may be vital to improving our population's cancer screening rates.

The Impact of Text Messaging on Medication Adherence and Exercise Among Postmyocardial Infarction Patients: Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial.

BackgroundAdherence to evidence-based therapies such as medications and exercise remains poor among patients after a myocardial infarction (MI). Text message reminders have been shown to improve rates of adherence to medication and exercise, but the existing studies have been of short duration.ObjectiveTwo single-center randomized controlled pilot trials were conducted to evaluate the impact of text message reminders over 12 months on adherence to cardiac medications and exercise among patients receiving cardiac rehabilitation after hospitalization for MI.MethodsIn the medication adherence trial, 34 patients were randomized to receive usual care alone or usual care plus daily text message reminders delivered at the time of day at which medications were to be taken. In the exercise adherence trial, 50 patients were randomized to receive usual care alone or usual care plus 4 daily text messages reminding them to exercise as directed.ResultsThe text message reminders led to a mean 14.2 percentage point improvement in self-reported medication adherence over usual care (P<.001, 95% CI 7-21). In the exercise trial, text message reminders resulted in an additional 4.2 days (P=.001, 95% CI 1.9-6.4) and 4.0 hours (P<.001, 95% CI 2.4-5.6) of exercise per month over usual care and a nonsignificant increase of 1.2 metabolic equivalents (METS; P=.06) in exercise capacity as assessed by a BRUCE protocol at 12 months.ConclusionsText message reminders significantly increased adherence to medication and exercise among post-MI patients receiving care in a structured cardiac rehabilitation program. This technology represents a simple and scalable method to ensure consistent use of evidence-based cardiovascular therapies.Trial RegistrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT02783287; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02783287 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6sBnvNb05)

Impact of Text Message Reminders on Caregivers' Adherence to a Home Fortification Program Against Child Anemia in Rural Western China: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial.

To test whether text message reminders sent to caregivers improve the effectiveness of a home micronutrient fortification program in western China. We carried out a cluster-randomized controlled trial in 351 villages (clusters) in Shaanxi Province in 2013 and 2014, enrolling children aged 6 to 12 months. We randomly assigned each village to 1 of 3 groups: free delivery group, text messaging group, or control group. We collected information on compliance with treatments and hemoglobin concentrations from all children at baseline and 6-month follow-up. We estimated the intent-to-treat effects on compliance and child anemia using a logistic regression model. There were 1393 eligible children. We found that assignment to the text messaging group led to an increase in full compliance (marginal effect = 0.10; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.03, 0.16) compared with the free delivery group and decrease in the rate of anemia at end line relative to the control group (marginal effect = -0.07; 95% CI = -0.12, -0.01), but not relative to the free delivery group (marginal effect = -0.03; 95% CI = -0.09, 0.03). Text messages improved compliance of caregivers to a home fortification program and children's nutrition.

Text message reminders do not improve hepatitis B vaccination rates in an Australian sexual health setting.

To evaluate the impact of text message reminders (short messaging service (SMS)) on hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination completion among high risk sexual health center attendees. In September 2008, Sydney Sexual Health Centre implemented an SMS reminder system. The authors assessed the impact of the reminder system on HBV vaccination rates among patients who initiated a course. The authors used a chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression to determine if SMS reminders were associated with second and third dose vaccine completion, compared with patients prior to the intervention. Of patients sent SMS reminders in 2009 (SMS group), 54% (130/241) received 2 doses and 24% (58/241) received 3 doses, compared to 56% (258/463) (P = 0.65) and 30% (141/463) (P = 0.07) in the pre-SMS group (2007), respectively. Findings did not change after adjusting for baseline characteristics significantly different between study groups. There were no significant differences in completion rates among people who injected drugs, HIV-negative gay and bisexual men (GBM), and HIV-positive GBM. Among sex workers, travelers, and people who reported sex overseas, second and third dose completion rates were significantly lower in the SMS group compared to the pre-SMS group. In the SMS group, 18% of those who only had one dose attended the clinic within 1-18 months and 30% of those who had 2 doses attended in 6-18 months, but vaccination was missed. SMS reminders did not increase second or third vaccine dose completion in this population. Clinician prompts to reduce missed opportunities and multiple recall interventions may be needed to increase HBV vaccination completion in this high risk population.

Text message reminders for timely routine MMR vaccination: A randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveMeasles–mumps–rubella (MMR) vaccination is important for preventing disease outbreaks, yet pockets of under-vaccination persist. Text message reminders have been employed successfully for other pediatric vaccines, but studies examining their use for MMR vaccination are limited. This study assessed the impact of text message reminders on timely MMR vaccination. Study designParents (n=2054) of 9.5–10.5-month-old children from four urban academically-affiliated pediatric clinics were randomized to scheduling plus appointment text message reminders, appointment text message reminder-only, or usual care. The former included up to three text reminders to schedule the one-year preventive care visit. Both text messaging arms included a text reminder sent 2 days before that visit. Outcomes included appointment scheduling, appointment attendance, and MMR vaccination by age 13 months, the standard of care at study sites. ResultsChildren of parents in the scheduling plus appointment text message reminders arm were more likely to have a scheduled one-year visit than those in the other arms (71.9% vs. 67.4%, relative risk ratio (RRR) 1.07 [95% CI 1.005–1.13]), particularly if no appointment was scheduled before randomization (i.e., no baseline appointment) (62.1% vs. 54.7%, RRR 1.14 [95% CI 1.04–1.24]). One-year visit attendance and timely MMR vaccination were similar between arms. However, among children without a baseline appointment, those with parents in the scheduling plus appointment text message reminders arm were more likely to undergo timely MMR vaccination (61.1% vs. 55.1%, RRR 1.11 [95% CI 1.01–1.21]). ConclusionText message reminders improved timely MMR vaccination of high-risk children without a baseline one-year visit.

Vaccines4Kids: Assessing the impact of text message reminders on immunization rates in infants

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect text messages (TM) immunization reminders have on immunization rates in the first 7 months of life. This randomized-control trial enrolled 57 parent/infant dyads and had a 74% completion rate (43) at the end of the study period. The study was approved by Committee on Human Subjects at the University of Hawaii Institutional Board Review. All participants completed a demographics form and a Barriers to Immunization Survey (SHOTS survey) at the start and end of the study. Parents received TM at 4, 7, 12, 15, 20, & 23 weeks of child's age. The intervention group received immunization reminders and the control group received healthy baby messages. In the overall mixed model, between enrollment and 7 months of age, the barriers to immunizations decreased for all parents significantly. There were no significant differences in immunization rates between groups at 7 months of age. Positive responses from regarding TM interventions show this is a promising intervention, but further research is required regarding how to address behavior change and motivation for health prevention behaviors with TM.

The impact of text message reminders on adherence to antimalarial treatment in northern Ghana: a randomized trial.

BackgroundLow rates of adherence to artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) regimens increase the risk of treatment failure and may lead to drug resistance, threatening the sustainability of current anti-malarial efforts. We assessed the impact of text message reminders on adherence to ACT regimens.MethodsHealth workers at hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and other stationary ACT distributors in Tamale, Ghana provided flyers advertising free mobile health information to individuals receiving malaria treatment. The messaging system automatically randomized self-enrolled individuals to the control group or the treatment group with equal probability; those in the treatment group were further randomly assigned to receive a simple text message reminder or the simple reminder plus an additional statement about adherence in 12-hour intervals. The main outcome was self-reported adherence based on follow-up interviews occurring three days after treatment initiation. We estimated the impact of the messages on treatment completion using logistic regression.Results1140 individuals enrolled in both the study and the text reminder system. Among individuals in the control group, 61.5% took the full course of treatment. The simple text message reminders increased the odds of adherence (adjusted OR 1.45, 95% CI [1.03 to 2.04], p-value 0.028). Receiving an additional message did not result in a significant change in adherence (adjusted OR 0.77, 95% CI [0.50 to 1.20], p-value 0.252).ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that a simple text message reminder can increase adherence to antimalarial treatment and that additional information included in messages does not have a significant impact on completion of ACT treatment. Further research is needed to develop the most effective text message content and frequency.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01722734

The impact of an educational text message intervention on young urban women's knowledge of oral contraception

BackgroundOral contraceptive (OC) knowledge deficits may contribute to OC discontinuation. We examined the effect of an innovative educational intervention on young women's OC knowledge. Study DesignAs part of a randomized trial evaluating the impact of text message reminders on OC continuation, we assessed OC knowledge in 659 women ages 13–25 years. Women received routine care or routine care plus 6 months of daily educational text messages. We administered a comprehensive 41-item OC knowledge survey at baseline and 6 months. ResultsMean OC knowledge scores improved over time for all women (baseline 22.8, 56% correct versus 24.7, 60% at 6 months), including knowledge of OC's mechanisms of action (p=.004), effectiveness (p<.001), side effects (p=.03) and benefits (p<.001). Mean 6-month scores were greater in the intervention (25.5) than the control group (23.7)(p<.001). In multivariable linear regression models, the text message intervention most strongly predicted OC knowledge (β=1.6, 95% confidence interval 0.9–2.2). ConclusionDaily educational text messages can modestly improve knowledge of OCs, which may promote successful contraceptive outcomes.

Clinic appointment reminders among rheumatology patients

Dear Editor, We read with interest the publication by Hogan AM et al. [1], which looked at the potential impact of text message reminders on non-attendance at surgical outpatient (OPD) clinics in Ireland and reported that such a service would encourage 51% to attend or cancel their missed OPD appointment. As the authors pointed out, little work has been carried out in this area in Ireland. Recently, we also examined the topic, focusing on Rheumatology patients attending our outpatient services, who had a ‘‘did not attend’’ (DNA) rate of almost 18% (525/2,924) in 2007 [2] compared to 16.8% in the Hogan AM et al. study. Many patients DNA their OPD clinic appointments for one reason or another, for example a lapse in memory or forgetfulness has been estimated for up to 50% of DNA cases [3, 4]. The level of DNA can be extremely high in many departments. In the department of care for the elderly at Hammersmith Hospital, London, in 1996–1997, DNA rates were a staggering 21% [5]. This is at the backdrop of a national mean DNA rate of 12% for all clinics in the UK for the same period [6]. These results compare to 16% forgetting their appointment in Hogan et al. with 20% due to clerical errors. DNA has many implications for both the patients and the services involved. Regarding the patient, missed valuable clinical input may result in suboptimal health. This is very well documented among the diabetic population where patients who DNA clinic appointments have significantly greater risk factors and complications from their chronic condition [7]. Focusing on the services provided, the implications include vacant clinic appointments, which can be a waste of scarce financial resources. In our study, we conducted a cross-sectional selfadministered anonymous questionnaire with 166 patients (159 return patients) who attended Rheumatology clinics at the South Infirmary, Victoria University Hospital, Cork, Ireland. Patients were recruited intermittently, but consecutively, while the researchers were in attendance between September and October 2007. A response rate of 98% (163/166) was achieved. New patients were not analysed due to low numbers. Ninety-eight percentage (156/ 159) of return patients responded. Overall, 99% felt OPD appointment reminders to be a good idea. Interestingly, on logical regression analysis, those who had previously attended OPD were significantly more likely to view reminders as a positive idea (P \ 0.0005, OR = 57.72, 95% CI 15.14–220.03). This may suggest that those who have had more OPD exposure appreciate the possibility of missed appointments and the benefits of reminders. These findings were recorded in a setting of 65% (104), 16% (26), 96% (153), 59% (94), and 46% (73) having competence in or access to a mobile phone SMS, e-mail, a landline telephone, a landline voice messaging service and a mobile phone voice messaging service, respectively. Text/SMS messaging (47%) is the most preferred method of appointment reminder followed by a telephone call (26%) and postal letter (25%). The mean age of those M. B. O’Connor (&) Department of Medicine, South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital, Old Blackrock Road, Cork, Ireland e-mail: mortimeroconnor@gmail.com