Use Of Mobile Phone Technology Research Articles

The potential role of mobile phone technology in rural motorcycle and three-wheeler taxi services in Africa

ABSTRACT Over the last two decades, motorcycle and motorised three-wheeler taxis have become important means of transport in many sub-Saharan African countries, including in rural areas. However, the emerging role of mobile phone technology in improving mobility in rural areas is currently under-explored in the literature. This paper presents the findings of a small-scale research study that was undertaken into the use of mobile phone technology in the context of motorcycle and three-wheeler taxi use, and its potential to improve rural access. Informed by a literature review, the research focuses on four countries: Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with riders of motorcycle and motorised three-wheeler taxis and the developers of mobile phone-enabled transport technologies. Mobile technology linked to the utilisation of motorcycle and three-wheeler taxis is increasing, but ‘ride-hailing’ applications (apps) are likely to be limited to urban areas for the foreseeable future due to various disincentives to their use in rural areas. The study identifies several promising innovations that combine the use of motorcycles and three-wheelers with mobile technology to increase rural people’s access to essential services and opportunities. These have the potential to be scaled up or expanded to other countries.

Morbidity management and surveillance of lymphatic filariasis disease and acute dermatolymphangioadenitis attacks using a mobile phone-based tool by community health volunteers in Ghana.

Morbidity burden of lymphatic filariasis (LF) relies on the information from the Mass Drug Administration (MDA) programme where Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) passively report cases identified. Consequently, the exact prevalence of morbidity cases is not always accurate. The use of mobile phone technology to report morbidity cases was piloted in Ghana using a text-based short messaging service (SMS) tool by CHVs. Though successful, illiterate CHVs could not effectively use the SMS tool. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a mobile phone-based Interactive Voice Response System (mIVRS) by CHVs in reporting LF morbidity cases and acute dermatolymphangioadenitis (ADLA) attacks in Ghana. The mIVRS was designed as a surveillance tool to capture LF data in Kassena Nankana Districts of Ghana. One hundred CHVs were trained to identify and report lymphedema and hydrocele cases as well as ADLA attacks by calling a hotline linked to the mIVRS. The system asked a series of questions about the disease condition. The ability of the CHV to report accurately was assessed and the data from the mIVRS were compared with the paper records from the CHVs and existing MDA programme records from the same communities and period. Higher numbers of lymphedema and hydrocele cases were recorded by the CHVs using the mIVRS (n = 590 and n = 103) compared to the paper-based reporting (n = 417 and n = 76) and the MDA records (n = 154 and n = 84). Female CHVs, CHVs above 40 years, and CHVs with higher educational levels were better at paper-based reporting (P = 0.007, P = 0.001, P = 0.049 respectively). The system, when fully developed and linked to national databases, may help to overcome underreporting of morbidity cases and ADLA attacks in endemic communities. The system has the potential to be further expanded to other diseases.

MHealth and Perinatal Depression in Low-and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review of the Literature

Women in low- and middle-income countries have high rates of perinatal depression. As smartphones become increasingly accessible around the world, there is an opportunity to explore innovative mHealth tools for the prevention, screening, and management of perinatal depression. We completed a scoping review of the literature pertaining to the use of mobile phone technologies for perinatal depression in low-and middle-income countries. PubMed CINHAL, and Google Scholar databases were searched, generating 423 results. 12 articles met our inclusion criteria. Two of the 12 articles reviewed mobile phone applications. The remaining 9 articles were study protocols or descriptive/intervention studies. Our results reveal that minimal literature is currently available on the use of mobile health for perinatal depression in low- and middle-income countries. We found four articles that present the results of an intervention that were delivered through mobile phones for the treatment of perinatal depressive symptoms and an additional qualitative study describing the perceptions of mothers receiving cognitive behavioral therapy via telephones. These studies demonstrated that depressive symptoms improved after the interventions. There is potential to improve the quality of mHealth interventions, specifically mobile phone applications for perinatal depressive symptoms and depression, through meaningful collaborative work between healthcare professionals and application developers.

Geographies of youth, mobile phones, and the urban hustle

Geographers have shown how mobile phones are transforming urban economies in Africa by altering the temporal and spatial nature of commercial transactions. Less well documented is how young people in Africa are using mobile phones to navigate the interplay between personal hopes, social expectations, and financial uncertainty associated with urban life. Drawing on qualitative data from youth in two Ghanaian cities, and insights from literature on youth geographies, hustling, and everyday urbanism, this paper explores how young people use mobile phones to conjure up and sustain social relations and income‐generating opportunities in urban settings. Three significant thematic findings emerge from our empirical data: the role of mobile phones in shaping young people’s social status and responsibilities; the use of mobile phones as instruments for surveillance and relationships; and the use of mobile phone technologies as assets for realising income‐generating opportunities. Conceptually, our exploration of mobile phone usage furthers geographical scholarship by providing new insights on the multidimensional nature of constraints faced by youth and their strategies to overcome them. Furthermore, the incorporation of a comparative element within the study illustrates the need for a more spatially nuanced understanding of young people’s uptake and use of mobile phone technologies.

English

This trial aims at testing the efficacy of weekly sexo-reproductive health educational text messages to improve perception of adolescent girls on sexo-reproductive health in Cameroon. This is a single-centered randomized controlled single-blinded trial. Adolescent girls aged 10 to 19 years in the Kumbo West Health District are the target population. A central computer generated randomization list was used to prevent selection bias and enable the production of the comparable groups for this trial. Allocation concealment (1:1) was determined by sequentially numbered sealed opaque envelopes. A total of 460 participants either receive the mobile phone text message or no text message. Data was collected at baseline, three month and six month intervals. A blinded program secretary sent out text messages and record delivery. The studies primary outcomes were improved knowledge and practices towards sexo-reproductive health, while its secondary outcomes were improved behaviour and attitudes towards sexo-reproductive health. Analysis was by intention-to-change behaviour. Covariates and subgroups were taken into account. This trial investigated the potential of SMS messages on sexo-reproductive health education to improve adolescent girl’s perception to attain better health outcomes. This trial contribute to the growing body of evidence on the use of mobile phone technology as a complementary strategy for strengthening health systems and achieving health-related goals oriented towards adolescent girls.   Key words: Mobile phone, sexo-reproductive health, improved perception, randomization.

A quasi-experimental study on exploring the use of mobile phone technology for optimizing, tracking and responding to children's developmental progress in Korogocho, Nairobi, Kenya: study protocol

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The massive use of technology can be leveraged to facilitate access to growth and development programs for children. Existing programs supporting such initiatives for children younger than three years are inadequate and not accessible to most families. In most cases, primary caregivers are unable to identify delayed milestones in their children’s growth and development due to inadequate information. They therefore often report the cases when they have become very severe and difficult to reverse. In order to promote early identification of possible developmental delays, African Population and Health Research Center together with Val Partners will develop, implement and evaluate the use of mobile phone technology to help caregivers track their children's developmental outcomes.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> The study will employ a quasi-experimental design and will use a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative methodologies. In one arm, 110 caregivers will be trained on the use of a mobile phone application to assess child growth and development. The other arm, with 110 caregivers, will receive standard care provided by community health volunteers. Child developmental outcomes will be assessed in both arms. Feasibility of the intervention will be assessed qualitatively. Performance data will be compared across the two arms using mixed linear models to assess the effect of the intervention on child development.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The findings are expected to provide evidence on whether the intervention is feasible and has an effect on child developmental outcomes. The results will inform the scalability and sustainability of the project.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Trial Registration: </strong>The trial has been registered with the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (www.pactr.org) database (ID number: PACTR201905787868050).<strong></strong></p>

An Appraisal of the Implication of Mobile Telecommunication Revolutions on Nigeria’s Young Population: A Study of Students of Higher Education Institutions in Edo State, Nigeria

Telecommunications revolution is affecting every segment of the lives of Nigerians of all ages as it has unarguably become a device in use by almost all and sundry, especially young people at the secondary and higher education institutions. This study investigated the effect of continuous and excessive use of mobile phone technology among university undergraduates, on social interaction, academic performance and moral behaviour in Benin-City, Nigeria. Needless to say, the Nigerian communication has been changed in many ways through the use of mobile phone. Many changes have been noticed in socio-economic and health related area. Many types of views are there regarding the increased use of mobile phones among Nigerian young people especially students studying undergraduate degree. 120 respondents have been randomly selected from three universities: University of Benin, Benson Idahosa University and Wellspring University all located in Benin-City. Data were being collected from 120 samples through a structured data collection tool. Using Pearson Correlation coefficient on a two-tailed test with SPSS version 20, the study found that Mobile phone communication offers an effective means of bringing good interactive services to the users especially university undergraduates. However, the implications on the moral and academic lives of the students are overwhelming. Apart from distracting students from concentrating on their studies, the students are exposed to various internet sites that lower the expected moral rectitude. In general, it is recommended that the use of mobile phone be restricted and censor by the university so that they are not carried away by social and moral vices that could negatively affect their lives both now and in future.

Use of Mobile Apps for epidemic surveillance and response – availability and gaps.

Background: Early detection of disease outbreaks, using appropriate surveillance methods, is a basic principle for effective control of epidemics. Indicator-based surveillance methods, such as comprehensive surveillance, sentinel surveillance and syndromic surveillance, have been routinely utilized for early epidemic detection to minimize mortality and morbidity related to emerging infectious disease threats. In addition, event-based surveillance uses unstructured data sources to detect and monitor outbreaks such as media reports, social media and websites. The use of mobile phone technology is growing in many low and middle-income countries, which has made mHealth an efficient means of health communication in such countries for epidemic surveillance, mitigation and response. Mobile Apps may draw data from validated health sources or unvalidated public sources and convey information to responders. The aim of this study was to review mobile Apps used for epidemic surveillance and response. Methods: A review of Google Play and the App Store was conducted from June 2018 to August 2018 for Apps containing the words “epidemic”, “outbreak”, “pandemic”, “public health”, “infectious diseases”, “infection”, “bioterrorism” or “CBRNE”, “surveillance”. Available Apps were analysed by the intended user, purpose, platform, functions and number of downloads. Results: We found a total of 106 Apps in an initial search, and of those 80 Apps did not meet the selection criteria and were excluded. Finally, 26 relevant surveillance Apps, including 21 free of charge and 5 paid Apps, were included in this review. Of these, 17 Apps are for single disease surveillance, 7 Apps for multiple disease surveillance and 2 Apps provides information on possible bioterrorism agents. The intended user varied from the general public (18 Apps) to health practitioners (4 Apps) and remaining 4 Apps intended for both general public and health practitioners. The Apps included real-time tracking in an interactive map (10 Apps), daily notification alerts (3 Apps), user function to report diseases/ outbreaks (4 Apps) and multiple disease tracking options (7 Apps). The most downloaded Apps were Sickweather with 100,000+ downloads and HealthMap with 10,000+ downloads. Only 4 Apps were available on both Android and iOS platforms. Conclusion: There are at least 26 mobile Apps for surveillance of epidemics, mostly free of charge and mostly for laypeople. Among them, HealthMap is the most comprehensive, but by far the greatest number of downloads was for a consumer App, Sickweather. Some Apps can provide real-time tracking and interactive maps. However, limitations included unavailability of Apps suitable for general public or surveillance of potential bioterrorism incidents, limited geographic or disease relevance, and high cost for some Apps. There is great potential to utilize existing Apps and develop new ones, especially which meet the needs of health professionals and public health authorities for real-time disease surveillance.

Mobile Phones as a Medium of Mental Health Care Service Delivery: Perspectives and Barriers among Patients with Severe Mental Illness.

Background:The use of mobile phone technology to support various components of health care delivery (often referred to as mHealth) is on the rise. Little systematic information, however, is available on user felt needs and barriers to mHealth approaches among people with severe mental illness (SMI). Our objectives were to elicit user needs, preferences, and barriers to using mobile phones for health care service delivery among people with SMI.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out among 75 subjects with SMI between August 2017 and October 2017. All patients had a minimum illness duration of two years or more and a Global Assessment of Functioning score of less than 70. Information on user perspectives was elicited using a 10-item structured questionnaire, to assess mobile phone usage patterns, felt needs, barriers, and preferences, developed for use in patients with SMI.Results:Majority of the patients reported using mobile phones and were favorably disposed to mHealth approaches. Voice calls (n = 47, 62.7%) were the most preferred mode of service delivery. The most preferred service frequency was twice-weekly (n = 31, 41.3%), followed by once-weekly (n = 22, 29.3%). Majority (n = 47, 62.7%) reported no barriers to mobile phone usage, whereas 14 (18.6%) perceived a lack of necessity of mobile phones as a service delivery medium. Reminders about medication and appointments through mobile phones (n = 35, 46.6%) were the most felt needs, followed by crisis helplines (n = 27, 36.0%) and information about mental health services (n = 22, 29.3%).Conclusion:These findings support the use of mHealth approaches in resource-constrained settings and provide specific inputs to refine the modalities of mHealth service delivery.

Assessing awareness and use of mobile phone technology for health and wellness: Insights from India

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to determine the awareness and use of mobile phones and applications for health service delivery among technical students, working staff, medical students, and health professionals of India. Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample size of 386 students, working staff, and health professionals of engineering and medicine using structured questionnaires and the data were analyzed. FindingsMost of the responses are female (50.25%) of age 18–25 (48.44%). However, respondents have used mobile phones for managing menstrual cycles and chronic/lifestyle diseases. Moreover, the degree of awareness and familiarity about the term “mobile health” was found to be more among technical students and working staff (55.17%) than medical students and health professionals (44.82%). Statistical results also revealed that awareness about the use of mobile phone for health-related components was found to be significant except for health awareness and education, and medication adherence and refilling. Further, about mobile health applications use, there exists a significant association between the study groups for the self-management applications of cancer, cholesterol, heart diseases, and stroke. ConclusionThe study recommends to improve peoples’ awareness and familiarity about the use of mobile phone for managing health and service delivery. This can be achieved with the help of health professionals as most of the people prefer personal visits than through mobile interventions. Moreover, peoples’ socio-demographic factors, perception about the device, and health information also play an important role in using mobile health applications for health service delivery.

Not without my mobile phone: alcohol binge drinking, gender violence and technology in the Spanish culture of intoxication

The practice of binge drinking has in recent decades consolidated what is known as the ‘culture of intoxication’ among the young people of Spain. This has coincided with the increase in the use of mobile-phone technology and of social networks within the night-time economy. Our main aim is to explore these new, potentially risky uses and violent behaviours, through an analysis of the discourses of the young people involved. This is a qualitative study with in-depth interviews (n = 24) of young people between the ages of sixteen and twenty-two, resident in two cities in the south of Spain: Granada and Seville. Findings: our results show that gender violence is present in the contexts where alcohol is consumed intensively and is related to the use of the mobile phone in interpersonal or couple relationships. This violence is practiced mainly against the women, who suffer sexual harassment and violation of their public image through information and communication technologies. Our data show that prevention should consider the new vulnerabilities that are generated out of the problematic association between technology and alcohol, using innovative strategies that are adapted to the new patterns of youth behaviour.

Opportunities and challenges of the use of mobile phone technology in teaching and learning in Nigeria- A Review

Opportunities and challenges of the use of mobile phone technology in teaching and learning in Nigeria- A Review

Finger Prick to Finger Tip: Use of Mobile Phone Technology to Send PKU Blood Results.

The Metabolic Dietetic Team in the National Centre for Inherited Metabolic Disorders (NCIMD) in Ireland deals with approximately 120 weekly phenylalanine (Phe) levels for both adults and children. A review of 500 Phe levels highlighted that 52% of the results were within the target range. Collaboration between information and communication technologies (ICT) departments, metabolic laboratory, and metabolic dietitians enabled the development of the PKU texting system. Following a successful pilot study, the system was then offered to all PKU patients aged over 2 years. The Phe is analysed and authorised on the laboratory system. The demographics are matched with the patient mobile phone number. Text messages are then validated and sent by the dietitian via a web portal using the Defero SMS texting service. Approximately 290 patients/families currently use the texting system. In order to assess the effectiveness of this quality improvement initiative, a patient survey was carried out in 2017. This showed 87% rated the system as either very good or excellent. 94% agreed it was time saving. 84% felt there was no influence on dietary compliance. Analysis of financial implications on dietetic time over 21 months revealed savings of €3,275 and 580 hours of dietetic time. There is no evidence, two years after implementation, that the system has had an effect on either the Phe levels in terms of recommended range or frequency of sampling.

Challenges facing sub‐Saharan small‐scale farmers in accessing farming information through mobile phones: A systematic literature review

AbstractThe use of mobile phone technology has increasingly been advocated to assist small‐scale farmers. Accordingly, numerous studies have been conducted on the impact, effectiveness, user's attitude, assessment, empowerment, and the potential use of mobile phone technology in agriculture. This study explores the challenges that small‐scale farmers in sub‐Saharan Africa face when using a mobile phone technology in crop farming projects and proposes areas for future improvement. The study used a systematic literature search conducted by authors at 3 levels, in which 134 studies initially identified were then narrowed to 11. These 11 studies generated 7 projects that use specialized applications in a farming value chain. The findings from the study indicate some of the challenges faced by small‐scale farmers, including the lack of their involvement in the initial phase of the invention process. Other obstacles include low trust and transparency, inappropriate use of foreign language (English) in a local cultural context, bureaucracy, and theft of mobile phones. On the basis of these results, the authors conclude that there are generalized factors for understanding deficiencies experienced by small‐scale farmers, which ought to be understood by all crop farming stakeholders. These factors can be used by software engineers to design future technologies beneficial to small‐scale farmers.

Feasibility of a commercial smartphone application for dietary assessment in epidemiological research and comparison with 24-h dietary recalls

BackgroundDietary assessment methods that can provide high quality data while limiting participant burden and resource requirements in epidemiological research are highly sought after and continue to evolve. The use of mobile phone technology in research has increased rapidly over the last decade and offers multiple advantages to the researcher over traditional data collection methods. This study tested the acceptability and relative validity of a commercial smart phone application (app) for use as an epidemiological dietary assessment tool, compared with a traditional dietary assessment method.MethodsStudy participants completed a 4-d food diary using a modified version of the Easy Diet Diary app and two 24-h dietary recalls during the same week, for comparison. At the end of data collection, participants completed a questionnaire on their experience with both methods. Average proportions of energy from macronutrients and fibre, iron, and calcium densities from the app and 24-h recalls were compared after log transformation, by calculating mean agreement, limits of agreement (LOA), and Pearson’s correlations. The prevalence of dietary under-reporting was compared in each method using the Goldberg method.ResultsA total of 50 adults (82% women) provided data for analysis (mean age, 31 y; mean BMI, 22.4 kg/m2; 14% overweight or obese). Participant feedback showed high levels of acceptance of the app; 83% preferred using the app to completing 24-h dietary recalls. The average difference in energy intake (mean agreement) between methods was 268 kJ/d. For all intakes except alcohol, the average difference between methods was not significantly different from zero. Most limits of agreement were within an acceptable range. The prevalence of dietary misreporting was similar in both methods.ConclusionsThese findings demonstrate good feasibility for applying this commercially-developed smartphone app in epidemiological research.

Retention of HIV-Positive Adolescents in Care: A Quality Improvement Intervention in Mid-Western Uganda.

Background Low retention of HIV-positive adolescents in care is a major problem across HIV programs. Approximately 70% of adolescents were nonretained in care at Katooke Health Center, Mid-Western Uganda. Consequently, a quality improvement (QI) project was started to increase retention from 29.3% in May 2016 to 90% in May 2017. Methods In May 2016, we analyzed data for retention, prioritized gaps with theme-matrix selection, analyzed root causes with fishbone diagram, developed site-specific improvement changes and prioritized with countermeasures matrix, and implemented improvement changes with Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA). Identified root causes were missing follow-up strategy, stigma and discrimination, difficult health facility access, and missing scheduled appointments. Interventions tested included generating list of adolescents who missed scheduled appointments, use of mobile phone technology, and linkage of adolescents to nearest health facilities (PDSA 1), Adolescent Only Clinic (PDSA 2), and monthly meetings to address care and treatment challenges (PDSA 3). Results Retention increased from 17 (29.3%) in May 2016 to 60 (96.7%) in August 2016 and was maintained above 90% until May 2017 (with exception of February and May 2017 recording 100% retention levels). Conclusion Context specific, integrated, adolescent-centered interventions implemented using QI significantly improved retention in Mid-Western Uganda.

Bridging the Health Divide: Use of Mobile Phone Technology for Health Care Service Delivery in Odisha

Bridging the Health Divide: Use of Mobile Phone Technology for Health Care Service Delivery in Odisha

Children’s independence and affordances experienced in the context of public open spaces: a study of diverse inner-city and suburban neighbourhoods in Auckland, New Zealand

ABSTRACTPublic open spaces (POS) are key neighbourhood destinations for children, providing opportunities for meaningful experiences (i.e. affordances) and independence. This study aimed to explore children’s experiences and perceptions of neighbourhood POS in order to understand POS affordances for children’s independent mobility (CIM). This study utilised go-along (walking) and home interviews with 140 children aged 9–13 years living in nine diverse neighbourhoods across Auckland, New Zealand. Interviews were recorded and transcripts analysed using deductive thematic analysis. Themes explored were: (1) CIM and factors influencing CIM (i.e. parental licence, use of mobile phone technology, safety of POS and geographical relocation) and (2) affordances of POS (including actualising affordances for play). Key findings indicate that POS were preferred local neighbourhood destinations and play was the main affordance experienced in POS. Parental restrictions were the greatest influence on whether a child could make independent trips to the POS. Mobile technologies may be useful for facilitating independence in the neighbourhood.Abbreviations: CIM: children’s independent mobility; KITC: kids in the city; NZ: New Zealand; POS: public open space

Deployment and use of mobile phone technology for real-time reporting of fever cases and malaria treatment failure in areas of declining malaria transmission in Muheza district north-eastern Tanzania

BackgroundEarly detection of febrile illnesses at community level is essential for improved malaria case management and control. Currently, mobile phone-based technology has been commonly used to collect and transfer health information and services in different settings. This study assessed the applicability of mobile phone-based technology in real-time reporting of fever cases and management of malaria by village health workers (VHWs) in north-eastern Tanzania.MethodsThe community mobile phone-based disease surveillance and treatment for malaria (ComDSTM) platform, combined with mobile phones and web applications, was developed and implemented in three villages and one dispensary in Muheza district from November 2013 to October 2014. A baseline census was conducted in May 2013. The data were uploaded on a web-based database and updated during follow-up home visits by VHWs. Active and passive case detection (ACD, PCD) of febrile cases were done by VHWs and cases found positive by malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) were given the first dose of artemether–lumefantrine (AL) at the dispensary. Each patient was visited at home by VHWs daily for the first 3 days to supervise intake of anti-malarial and on day 7 to monitor the recovery process. The data were captured and transmitted to the database using mobile phones.ResultsThe baseline population in the three villages was 2934 in 678 households. A total of 1907 febrile cases were recorded by VHWs and 1828 (95.9%) were captured using mobile phones. At the dispensary, 1778 (93.2%) febrile cases were registered and of these, 84.2% were captured through PCD. Positivity rates were 48.2 and 45.8% by RDT and microscopy, respectively. Nine cases had treatment failure reported on day 7 post-treatment and adherence to treatment was 98%. One patient with severe febrile illness was referred to Muheza district hospital.ConclusionThe study showed that mobile phone-based technology can be successfully used by VHWs in surveillance and timely reporting of fever episodes and monitoring of treatment failure in remote areas. Further optimization and scaling-up will be required to utilize the tools for improved malaria case management and drug resistance surveillance.

Use of Mobile Phone Technology to Improve follow-up at a Community Mental Health Clinic: A Randomized Control Trial.

Background:Mobile phone technology is being used worldwide to improve follow-ups in health care.Aim:Aim of the study is to evaluate whether the use of mobile technology will improve or not the follow-up of Indian patients from a community mental health center.Materials and Methods:Patients or caregivers having mobile phones and consenting for study were enrolled, and sociodemographic and clinical details of patients were taken. Participants were randomized into two groups (short message service [SMS] vs. non-SMS group). At first intervention level, a SMS was sent to SMS group (not in non-SMS group) 1 day before their appointment. At second-level intervention (voice call level), patients from both groups who missed their first appointment were given a voice call requesting them to come for follow-up, and the reasons for first missed appointments (MA) were also elicited. The effect of these two intervention levels (first SMS for SMS group and next voice calls for both groups) on follow-up was evaluated.Results:A total of 214 patients were enrolled in the study. At first SMS intervention level of SMS group (n = 106), 62.26% of participants reached appointment-on-time (RA), while in the non-SMS/as usual group (n = 108), 45.37% of patients RA. The difference of these groups is statistically significant. At second-level intervention (voice call), 66 of 88 (another 15 were unable to contact) were came for follow-up consultation within 2 days of MA. Distance and diagnosis of alcohol dependence were significantly associated with MA. Social reasons were most common reasons for first MA.Conclusion:The use of mobile phone technology in an outpatient community psychiatric clinic improved follow-up significantly.