scholarly journals Development of automated text-message reminder system to improve uptake of childhood vaccination in North-West, Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeleke Abebaw Mekonnen ◽  
Fedlu Nurhussien Hussien ◽  
Binyam Chakilu Tilahun ◽  
Kassahun Alemu Gelaye ◽  
Adane Letta Mamuye
Keyword(s):  
Text Messaging ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Childhood Vaccination ◽  
Automated System ◽  
Design Development ◽  
North West ◽  
Reminder System ◽  
Text Message Reminder

Introduction: Non-attendance and delay for vaccination schedules remains a big challenge to healthcare workers.  Among the frequently mentioned reasons for missed vaccination in children is the lack of communication between child caretakers and health workers. This necessitates developing an appropriate and uninterrupted vaccine delivery strategy with more focus on demand side interventions like forgetfulness.Objectives: This paper aimed to develop and test an automated mobile text message reminder system in the local context.Methods: Before development of the system, interview and document reviews were used for requirement gathering. This system is developed using iterative development process through phases of requirement analysis, design, development, testing and refinement. Front end application was developed using Java technologies while back end applications were developed with Oracle database. Finally, pilot testing was done on 30 participants before actual implementation.Results: The automated system has been developed based on requirements. The text message reminder system has two components: 1. Web based application for client registration and automatic reminder scheduling; 2.SMS application for automatic SMS text messaging. In the final testing, all the messages (100%) were delivered to the piloted mothers. Message speeds for each individual client ranged on average from 5 second to 30 seconds.Conclusion: Text message reminder system has been developed for routine childhood immunization program in Ethiopian context. Text message interventions should be carefully developed, tested and refined before implementation to ensure they are written in the most appropriate way for their target population.

scholarly journals Implementation of a Text Message to Improve Adherence to Clinic and Social Service Appointments

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 232595821987016
Author(s):  
Nishal Anthony ◽  
Jennifer Molokwu ◽  
Ogechika Alozie ◽  
Diego Magallanes
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
P Value ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Reminder System ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Treatment Plans ◽  
Hiv Aids

Introduction: Attendance to clinic appointments and compliance with treatment plans are essential components of HIV/AIDS care. Compliance is especially important in young and minority individuals living with HIV/AIDS. We assessed the effectiveness of a text-based reminder system compared with usual care in improving the attendance to clinic and social work appointments at a Ryan White-funded clinic based in an academic institution. Methods: Convenience sample looking at 2 periods, 6 months before initiation of text messages and 6 months after initiation of text messages. Results: Following a 6-month postintervention period, we found a statistically significant reduction in our no-show rates (individuals failing to keep scheduled appointments) of 24.8% versus 17.7%, P value .05. Conclusion: Using an inexpensive online text messaging system, we were able to significantly decrease no-show rates in a primarily younger, low-income, and uninsured population.

scholarly journals The Effectiveness Of Using Text Messages Reminder On Adherence With Tuberculosis Patients: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 751-760
Author(s):  
Ardila Lailatul Barik ◽  
Retno Indarwati ◽  
Sulistiawati Sulistiawati
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Randomized Control Trials ◽  
Inclusion Criteria ◽  
Tuberculosis Patients ◽  
Randomized Control ◽  
Text Message Reminder

Non-adherence is a factor that inhibits the completion of TB cases globally. Some studies suggest that the use of digital technology in the form of text message reminders can reduce the risk of non-adherence. The purpose of writing this article is to analyze the effectiveness of text message reminders on adherence to tuberculosis (TB) patients. The method in preparing this Systematic review is based on literature studies from various electronic databases, including Scopus, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, and Sage by conducting a comprehensive review using the PRISMA guidelines. The keywords used are "Text Messaging" AND "medication adherence" AND "tuberculosis". There are 11 original articles with 9 articles using the Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) research method and 2 articles using the Quasy-experimental method that fits the inclusion criteria. The use of text message reminder interventions is effective and can be used as an optional method of increasing adherence to TB patients. 

Patient mobile telephone ‘text’ reminder: a novel way to reduce non-attendance at the ENT out-patient clinic

2007 ◽  
Vol 122 (3) ◽  
pp. 296-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Geraghty ◽  
F Glynn ◽  
M Amin ◽  
J Kinsella
Keyword(s):  
Text Message ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Mobile Telephone ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Reminder System ◽  
Message Service ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Text Message Reminder ◽  
Intractable Problem

AbstractBackground:Non-attendance at out-patient clinics is a seemingly intractable problem, estimated to cost £65 (€97) per incident. This results in under-utilisation of resources and prolonged waiting lists. In an effort to reduce out-patient clinic non-attendance, our ENT department, in conjunction with the information and communication technology department, instigated the use of a mobile telephone short message service (‘text’) reminder, to be sent out to each patient three days prior to their out-patient clinic appointment.Objective:To audit non-attendance rates at ENT out-patient clinics following the introduction of a text reminder system.Study design:Retrospective review.Methods:Non-attendance at our institution's ENT out-patient clinics was audited, following introduction of a text message reminder system in August 2003. Rates of non-attendance were compared for the text message reminder group and a historical control group.Results:Before the introduction of the text message reminder system, the mean rate of non-attendance was 33.6 per cent. Following the introduction of the system, the mean rate of non-attendance reduced to 22 per cent.Conclusion:Sending text message reminders is a simple and cost-effective way to improve non-attendance at ENT out-patient clinics.

scholarly journals Influence of active reminders on oral hygiene compliance in orthodontic patients

2013 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-213 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Eppright ◽  
Bhavna Shroff ◽  
Al M. Best ◽  
Elvi Barcoma ◽  
Steven J. Lindauer
Keyword(s):  
Oral Hygiene ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
White Spot Lesion ◽  
Reminder System ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Orthodontic Patients ◽  
Hygiene Compliance ◽  
Text Message Reminder

ABSTRACTObjective:To determine if text message reminders regarding oral hygiene compliance have an influence on the level of compliance within an orthodontic population.Materials and Methods:In this prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial, 42 orthodontic patients were assigned to a text message or control group. Parents of patients assigned to the text message group received a reminder text message one weekday each week. Oral hygiene compliance was measured using bleeding index (BI), modified gingival index (MGI), and plaque index (PI), and visual examination of white spot lesion (WSL) development at baseline (T0), two appointments after baseline (T1), and four appointments after baseline (T2).Results:BI, MGI, and PI scores were significantly lower in the text message group than in the control group at T2.Conclusion:A text message reminder system is effective for improving oral hygiene compliance in orthodontic patients.

scholarly journals Effect of mobile phone text message reminders on improving completeness and timeliness of routine childhood vaccinations in North-West, Ethiopia: a study protocol for randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e031254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeleke Abebaw Mekonnen ◽  
Binyam Tilahun ◽  
Kassahun Alemu ◽  
Martin Were
Keyword(s):  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Childhood Vaccination ◽  
Continuous Growth ◽  
North West ◽  
North West Ethiopia ◽  
Randomised Controlled

IntroductionNon-attendance and delay in vaccination schedules remain a big challenge to healthcare workers. With the continuous growth of mobile network coverage and exponential penetration of mobile devices in the developing world, adoption of short message service has been shown to increase attendance for health services by targeting participant characteristics such as forgetfulness. Therefore, the aim of this trial is to determine the effect of mobile text message reminders on completeness and timeliness of childhood vaccination in North-West, Ethiopia.Methods and analysisA two-arm, parallel, superiority, randomised controlled trial study will be employed. The study arms are the intervention group (text message reminders plus routine care) and the control group (routine care only). Mother–infant pairs will be randomised to one of the groups during enrolment. The trial will consider a sample size of 434 mother–infant pairs with 1:1 allocation ratio. Mothers assigned to the intervention group will receive text message reminder 1 day before the scheduled vaccination visit at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks and at 9 months. Initially, descriptive statistics will be computed. For the primary outcome log-binomial regression model will be used to identify associated factors, and relative risk with 95% CI will be reported. Primarily, iIntention-to-treat analysis principle will be applied. STATA V.14 software will be used for the analysis.Ethics and disseminationThis study obtained ethical approval from the University of Gondar Institutional Ethical Review Board. The trial findings on the effectiveness of mobile text message reminders in improving vaccination uptake will help to inform decision makers on the use of mobile health interventions in developing countries like Ethiopia. The scientific findings of the trial will also be published in reputable journals.Trial registration numberPACTR201901533237287.

scholarly journals Setting-up a cross-border action-research project to control malaria in remote areas of the Amazon: describing the birth and milestones of a complex international project (Malakit)

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muriel Suzanne Galindo ◽  
Yann Lambert ◽  
Louise Mutricy ◽  
Laure Garancher ◽  
Jane Bordalo Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Usual Test ◽  
Mobile Population

Abstract Background In French Guiana, gold miners working illegally represents a major reservoir of malaria. This mobile population, mainly of Brazilian descent, enters the French Guianese forest from neighbouring countries, Suriname and Brazil. A complex and innovative intervention was piloted as a cooperation with the three involved countries involved to control malaria in this specific population. The principle was that health workers called “facilitators” provide the participants with a self-diagnosis and self-treatment kit along with adequate training and material to rapidly manage an episode of malaria symptoms on their own, when they find themselves isolated from health care services. Methods This paper describes the design, development, content of the intervention and players’ organization of this multi-country project, the opportunities and constraints encountered, and the lessons learnt at this stage. Results The choice not to implement the usual “Test and Treat” approach within the community is mainly driven by regulatory reasons. The content of medical messages tends to balance the tension between thoroughness, accuracy and efficacy. The wide range of tools developed through a participatory approach was intended to cope with the challenges of the literacy level of the target population. Despite the difficulties encountered due to language, regulation differences and distance between partners, cooperation was fruitful, due to the complementary of stakeholders, their involvement at all important stages and regular face-to-face meetings. Discussion and conclusion This experience shows the feasibility of an ambitious project of action-research in a border malaria context, involving several countries and with a mobile and undocumented population. It reveals some factors of success which may be transferable in analogous settings.

scholarly journals 47 Increase Clinic Attendance Among Adolescents and Young Adults: A novel cost-effective method

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. e20-e20
Author(s):  
Thivia Jegathesan ◽  
Megan Roth ◽  
Melissa Florence ◽  
Niraj Mistry ◽  
Herbert J Bonifacio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Text Messaging ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Missed Appointments ◽  
Clinic Attendance ◽  
Transition Clinic ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Text Message Reminder

Abstract Background Transition clinics have been introduced to address the unique needs of adolescent and young adult (AYA) populations, however clinic attendance continues to be an issue. Although poor clinic attendance among the AYA population has been well known, solutions to address this has been limited. Some factors that have been associated with missed appointments include forgetfulness, negative previous clinic experiences and clinic schedules. With widespread use of digital technologies among AYA, the application of digital solutions to increase attendance at healthcare appointments has been explored, but little is known on its effectiveness. Objectives To determine the effect of text messaging appointment reminders on uninformed no show rates in an AYA transition clinic. Uninformed no show rate was defined as an absence from clinic (not related to a medical emergency) without communication with the clinic. Design/Methods A pilot prospective cohort study with a retrospective control group was conducted in an AYA general hematology transition clinic. In order to establish the current no show rate at the clinic, a retrospective review of AYA patients who attended the clinic between April 2013-August 2015 was conducted. Thereafter, all patients who had an appointment scheduled between February 2016 and December 2017 were included in the study and received a text message reminder of their appointment 48 hours prior to their appointment. Monthly uninformed no show rates were collected, and a student’s t-test was conducted to determine if there was a significant difference in uninformed no show rates before and after the introduction of text message reminders. Results Eighty-six participants consented to participate in the study and received a text message reminder of their appointment. From April 2013- August 2015 a total of 51 clinic days with 236 appointments occurred. During this time the mean uninformed no show rate was 39.9%. SMS appointment reminders were sent from February 2016 to December 2017 for 48 clinic days for a total of 206 clinic appointments. The mean uninformed no show rate after the introduction of text message appointment reminders was 22.6%. The introduction of text messaging appointment reminders significantly (p<0.01) decreased uninformed no show rates by 17.3%. Conclusion Text message reminders are an effective low cost method in reminding AYA patients about their appointments. By using innovative, cost effective and practical strategies like text messaging reminders to increase clinic attendance, we not only improve the care of our patients but also reduce the financial and clerical burden to the system resulting from missed appointments.

scholarly journals A Novel Text-Message Reminder System to Address Medication Non-Adherence

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Avinash Pandey
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Healthy Volunteers ◽  
Disease Progression ◽  
Text Message ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Reminder System ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Text Message Reminder ◽  
Habitudes De Vie ◽  
The Impact

There is a high rate of medication non-adherence, which can lead to disease progression, disability andmortality. This study tested a novel computer-based text message reminder system to improve adherence to medications. This system proved effective in improving adherence to a placebo in healthy volunteers, and to medications in cardiac patients over a two month period. It was especially effective in individuals at prospectively identified to be at high risk of non-adherence. This system represents a simple and scalable method to improve adherence to medications at a clinical or pharmaceutical level. Further research into the impact of repeated reminders is necessary to explore the impacts of text message reminders in other populations and in other lifestyle interventions.Il y a un taux élevé de non-adhérence aux médicaments, ce qui peut provoquer la progression de la maladie, des handicaps et même la mortalité. Cette étude a vérifier un système de rappel fonctionnant par messagerie texte afin d’améliorer l’adhérence aux médicaments. Ce système a été prouvé efficace dans l’amélioration de l’adhérence à un placébo chez des sujets bénévoles, et à des médicaments chez des patients cardiaques, sur une période de 2 mois. Il était particulièrement efficace chez es individus identifiés comme ayant un risqué élevé de non-adhérence. Ce système représente une méthode simple et mesurable utilisée pour améliorer l’adhérence aux médicaments à un niveau pharmaceutique ou clinique. Des recherches plus poussées sur les conséquences de ces rappels répétés sont nécessaires afin d’explorer les impacts des rappels texte chez d’autres populations et dans d’autres interventions concernant les habitudes de vie.

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