Estimación de emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero en la dieta de mujeres adolescentes en áreas rurales de oriente de Guatemala / Estimation of greenhouse of gas emissions in the diet of adolescent women in rural areas of eastern Guatemala

Introducción. La producción de alimentos es una de las principales causas de Emisiones de Gases de Efecto Invernadero (GEI). Estimar las emisiones GEI de la dieta es el punto de partida para definir dietas saludables y sostenibles con el ambiente. Objetivo. Estimar el total GEI de la dieta de mujeres adolescentes del oriente de Guatemala, así como la contribución de grupos de alimentos a este valor. Materiales y métodos. En el contexto de un estudio de agricultura y nutrición en el oriente de Guatemala, se realizó un análisis secundario de los datos dietéticos (Recordatorio de 24 horas) de 2082 mujeres adolescentes. Los alimentos reportados fueron enlazados con la base de datos SHARP, que contiene estimaciones de GEI para 944 alimentos. La variable de enlace fue un código único armonizado con el sistema de clasificación FoodEx2. Resultados. La dieta es poco diversa, principalmente a base de grupos de alimentos de origen vegetal, con poca presencia de alimentos de origen animal. El GEI de la dieta fue de 2,3 Kg CO2 eq/ per cápita/día, con la mayor contribución de comidas preparadas (26,7%) y panes, tortillas y similares (12,8%). Conclusiones. La dieta de las mujeres adolescentes de áreas rurales de Guatemala tiene un GEI inferior al reportado en otros países de la región para estratos socioeconómicos con mayor consumo de alimentos de origen animal. Este estudio es el punto de partida para sistematizar la metodología para continuar con las estimaciones de GEI en Guatemala(AU)

Introduction. Food production is one of the main causes of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGE). Estimating GHG emissions from the diet is the starting point for defining healthy and environmentally sustainable diets. Objective. Estimate the total GHGE in the diet of adolescent women from eastern Guatemala, as well as the contribution of food groups to this value. Materials and methods. In the context of an agriculture and nutrition study in eastern Guatemala, a secondary analysis of dietary data (24-hour recall) of 2082 adolescent women was performed. The reported foods were linked to the SHARP database, which contains GHGE estimates for 944 foods. The linking variable was a unique code harmonized with the FoodEx2 classification system. Results. The diet is not diverse, mainly based on food groups of plant origin, with little presence of foods of animal origin. The GHG of the diet was 2.3 Kg CO2 eq/per capita/day, with the greatest contribution from prepared foods (26.7%) and breads, tortillas and similar products (12.8%). Conclusions. The diet of adolescent women in rural areas of Guatemala has a lower GHG than that reported in other countries in the region for socioeconomic strata with greater consumption of foods of animal origin. This study is the starting point to systematize the methodology to continue with GHG estimates in Guatemala(AU)

The Role of Digital Technology and New Strategies in Engagement and Adherence Among Patients With Cardiometabolic Disease

Abstract This article explores challenges and barriers to managing cardiometabolic conditions, highlighting strategies and technologies for improving patient adherence. Approaches such as simplifying prescriptions, patient empowerment, health education, setting short-term goals, understanding social context, self-monitoring, and gamification have been effective in promoting adherence. The use of health apps for chronic diseases has also been increasing, facilitating medication adherence and self-monitoring. Integrating these approaches into clinical practice can lead to consistent outcomes and reduce care-associated costs.

Use of information technology to improve patient compliance: A pilot study

Background: Compliance with treatment is the key link between treatment and outcome in medical care, non-compliance leads to failure of treatment. Noncompliance with antimicrobial agents (AMAs) is the important reason for Resistance to antimicrobials. Forgetting to take medicine is one of the important causes of non-compliance. Aim and Objectives: Hence, the present study was planned to evaluate the compliance for antimicrobial treatment in patients receiving a short course of antimicrobials, with or without reminding them to take medicine using a smartphone app. Materials and Methods: Prospective interventional study was planned in a tertiary care hospital after permission from the ethics committee. The present pilot work of the study was carried out on 30 patients receiving AMAs. Patients receiving a short course of chemotherapy were enrolled and stratified based on the frequency of administration of antimicrobials. They were then allocated alternately in control (15) and study (15) groups. After explaining the prescription to all, “Pill Reminder” app was downloaded on smartphones of participants in the study group. All were contacted to enquire about compliance at the end of the treatment period. Results: Baseline characteristics of participants in both groups were comparable. URTI, UTI Tinea cruris, Tinea capitis were the disorders for which they received AMAs. The frequency of administration was once/twice/thrice a day. Duration was 3–14 days in both groups. At the end of the study, 53.3% of patients in control group and 100% of patients in intervention group were compliant to the treatment. Conclusion: The use of the reminder app significantly improved patient’s compliance with medications. Further studies are required to validate these results.

Impact of reminder on medication adherence: a structural equation model, based on study in Sikkim, India

The problem of medication non-adherence has persisted over decades. The rate of adherence decreases with time and improvement in health condition. When patients cannot follow their prescribed medication regime, it leads to deterioration of their health condition and increases their financial costs. This research aims to find the effect of reminder on medication adherence behaviour of patients when "Acceptance of Side Effect", "Quality of Life" and "Medication Beliefs" act as mediators. The sample size of the research was 505. Sampling units comprised patients suffering from different diseases in Central Referral Hospital, Sikkim, India. By developing a Structural Equation Model, the effect of reminder on the mediators and adherence was analysed. The results show a significant positive association between reminder and the three mediators. Reminder has a significant positive effect on adherence (ß=0.637, e=0.055, p=0.001). The effect is higher in the presence of mediators (ß=0.7, e=0.037, p=0.001).

Discussion on the Quality Risk Reminder Mechanism of Drug Sampling and Testing in China / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE：To provide a reference for further improvi ng the quality risk reminder mechanism of the drug sampling and testing （called“the Reminder ”as for short ）in China ，and strengthening the drug quality management. METHODS ： The quality risk management situation of the drug sampling and testing were summarized ，and the legal nature ，main content and working procedures of the Reminder were analyzed. The latest data of the Reminder in 2020 were taken as an example to analyze the role of the Reminder in the investigation of potential drug quality risks ，and made the suggestions for existing problems. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS ：Based on legal standards ，China’s drug regulatory departments had carried out exploratory research on drugs that may have quality and safety risks due to drug quality control blind spots or deviations of manufacturing enterprises ， and divided them into serious risks and general risks according to the severity of the problems found ，and implemented hierarchical management. The Reminder was an administrative measure for general drug quality risks based on the principle of persuasion first ， and did not have sanctions. Its main content covered all the information required for risk investigation and rectification （basic drug information， suggested risk information ， contact information ， risk discovery methods ， troubleshooting and rectification requirements，and responsibilities of local provincial drug regulatory departments ）. It involved five responsible parties ，ie. the inspection institution ，China Institute for Food and Drug Control ，National Medical Products Administration ，the provincial food and drug administration of the relevant manufacturing enterprises and the relevant manufacturing enterprises. Through the mode of closed-loop management ，the benign interaction between regulatory authorities and manufacturing enterprises could been realized. In 2020，National Medical Products Administration issued 312 reminders to 286 manufacturers，with an accuracy of 87.91％，which was scientific and targeted. The manufacturer had carried out a series of rectification measures for the contents of the Reminder ， including carrying out process verification ，revising internal control standards and strengthening production process control. However， there were also some problems ， such as the rationality of the prompt contents being questioned by the manufacturer and the i nsufficient investigation of the manufacturer. It is suggested that the manufacturers correctly understand the nature and value of the Reminder. The inspection agency should further improve the scientific pertinence of the problems found ，while the drug regulatory department should focus on the troubleshooting of the problems found ，so as to jointly promote the improvement of drug quality.

Establishment and application of a pharmaceutical care platform for out-of-hospital patients / 中华医院管理杂志

The authors introduced a pharmaceutical care mode by establishing a medication management platform(" Smart Pharmacists" platform), automatically and regularly sending personalized medication reminders for out-of-hospital patients. In virtue of the medication consultation service built on mobile internet technology, the hospital information system was seamlessly connected with the WeChat public account of the hospital, hence broadening pharmaceutical care. The " Smart Pharmacists" platform covered such six parts as medication reminder, medication record, voice broadcast, medication consultation, prescription query, and package insert inquiry. It serves as a reminder of taking medicine for patients out of the hospital and provides an accessible " pharmacist-patient interaction" service window, which will guarantee the safety and effectiveness of medication for out-of-hospital patients.

The Effectiveness of Using MySMS in Reducing No-show Rate in Dietetic Clinic, Hospital Sultan Ismail, Johor Bahru (Keberkesanan Penggunaan MySMS dalam Mengurangkan Kadar Ketidakhadiran di Klinik Dietetik, Hospital Sultan Ismail, Johor Bahru) / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

@#No-show or non-attendance at outpatient appointments are one of the most challenging operational issues in health care clinics, including dietetics outpatient clinics. No-show has a negative impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of delivery of outpatient care in a hospital setting. This can negatively affect the patient’s short term and long-term wellbeing due to missed opportunity to address the patient’s nutrition issue in a timely manner. This study aims to investigate the reasons for no-show and thus to reduce the no-show rate in diet clinic from baseline of 40.7% to standard of less than 25%. The initial phase of the study was conducted from June to September 2017 at Hospital Sultan Ismail’s diet clinic. No-show cases were identified using system data. No-show patients or guardian of no-show patients were contacted to record the reason for missing the appointments. Descriptive analysis was used to analyze the results. Strategy for change was planned and implemented to target the major reason for no-show. The pre-remedial phase result shows a no-show rate of 40.7%. A total of 102 patients were contacted (34%, n=102) to identify their reason of non-attendance to diet clinic. Paediatric patients aged 1 to 12 year-old contributed the highest percentage of no-show (37.3%, n=38). The major reasons identified for no-show are forgetting and remembered wrong appointment date (35.3%, n=36), followed by ill or admitted to ward (13.7%, n=14) and others (12.7%, n=13) such as personal issues and school examination. Remedial measure using Short Message Service (MySMS) resulted in a reduction of no-show rate to 22.2% which achieved our standard of less than 25% (p<0.05). Automated reminder using Short Message System (MySMS) is found to be effective in reducing no-show rate. Periodic audit is needed to ensure continuous effectiveness of remedial measure. Further studies need to be conducted in weighing the cost effectiveness of this method for long term run.

Increasing hepatitis virus screening uptake at worksites in Japan using nudge theory and full subsidies

BACKGROUND@#Despite the importance of hepatitis screening for decreasing liver cancer mortality, screening rates remain low in Japan. Previous studies show that full subsidies increase screening uptake, but full subsidies are costly and difficult to implement in low-resource settings. Alternatively, applying nudge theory to the message design could increase screening at lower costs. This study examined the effects of both methods in increasing hepatitis virus screening rates at worksites.@*METHODS@#1496 employees from a Japanese transportation company received client reminders for an optional hepatitis virus screening before their general health checkups. Groups A and B received a client reminder designed based on the principles of "Easy" and "Attractive," while the control group received a client reminder not developed using nudge theory. Additionally, hepatitis virus screening was offered to the control group and group A for a co-payment of JPY 612, but was fully subsidized for group B. The hepatitis virus screening rates among the groups were compared using a Chi-square test with Bonferroni correction, and the risk ratios of group A and group B to the control group were also calculated. To adjust for unobservable heterogeneity per cluster, the regression analysis was performed using generalized linear mixed models.@*RESULTS@#The screening rate was 21.2%, 37.1%, and 86.3% for the control group, group A, and group B, respectively. And the risk ratio for group A was 1.75 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.45-2.12) and that of group B was 4.08 (95% CI 3.44-4.83). The parameters of group A and group B also were significant when estimated using generalized linear mixed models. However, the cost-effectiveness (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER)) of the nudge-based reminder with the full subsidies was lower than that of only the nudge-based reminder.@*CONCLUSIONS@#While fully subsidized screening led to the highest hepatitis screening rates, modifying client reminders using nudge theory significantly increased hepatitis screening uptake at lower costs per person.

Surgery remember@: an innovation to reduce surgical cancellations / Surgery remember@: uma inovação para reduzir os cancelamentos cirúrgicos

ABSTRACT The use of mobile phones has dramatically increased all over the world. Such revolution in the communication amongst individuals has a great impact in patient care, supporting their self-management and promoting shared responsibility with health services. Given that improved communication facilitates compliance with scheduled procedures and reduces surgical cancellations, the current work aims to develop a communication tool named Surgery Remember@ to mitigate surgical suspensions due to patient absenteeism. The present article is a study of technological production divided into four chapters: literature review; analysis of the hospital administrative profile; software development; and process mapping for software implementation. Taking into account that in the last three years the problem of absenteeism was the main cause of institutional surgical cancellations; the development of Surgery Remember@ endeavours to reduce surgery cancellations, improving efficiency and reducing costs. It is known that sending messages three days before the surgical procedure makes it possible to replace patients in the event of cancellations, optimizing the human and material resources in the operating room. The confirmation of the pre-aesthetic consultation is also positive, for it allows the verification of perioperative assistance improvement. Hence, besides being viable and easy to implement, the software developed allows the addition of other features based on user requirements, proving to be an asset to reduce surgery cancellations.

RESUMO O uso de telefones celulares aumentou dramaticamente em todo o mundo. Essa revolução na comunicação entre os indivíduos tem impacto no cuidado ao paciente, apoiando sua autogestão e promovendo a responsabilidade compartilhada com os serviços de saúde. Tendo em vista que a melhoria da comunicação facilita o cumprimento dos procedimentos programados e reduz os cancelamentos cirúrgicos, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo desenvolver uma ferramenta de comunicação denominada Surgery Remember@ para mitigar as suspensões cirúrgicas por absenteísmo do paciente. O presente artigo é um estudo da produção tecnológica dividido em quatro capítulos: revisão de literatura; análise do perfil administrativo do hospital; desenvolvimento de software; e mapeamento de processos para implementação de software. Tendo em conta que nos últimos três anos o problema do absenteísmo foi a principal causa de cancelamentos cirúrgicos institucionais o desenvolvimento do Surgery Remember@ se apresenta como esforço para reduzir os cancelamentos de cirurgias, melhorando a eficiência e reduzindo custos. Sabe-se que o envio de mensagens três dias antes do procedimento cirúrgico possibilita a reposição de pacientes em caso de cancelamentos, otimizando os recursos humanos e materiais da sala cirúrgica. A confirmação da consulta pré-anestésica também é positiva, pois permite verificar a melhora da assistência perioperatória. Assim, além de viável e de fácil implementação, o software desenvolvido permite agregar outros recursos de acordo com a necessidade do usuário, mostrando-se uma ferramenta para redução de cancelamentos cirúrgicos.

The use of an electronic medication organizer device with alarm to improve medication adherence of older adults with hypertension / Uso de um dispositivo eletrônico organizador de medicamentos com alarme para melhorar a adesão medicamentosa de idosos com hipertensão

ABSTRACT Objective: To examine whether the use of a monthly electronic medication organizer device equipped with an alarm clock, called Electronic System for Personal and Controlled Use of Medications (Supermed), improves medication adherence of older adults with hypertension. Methods: This is a quali-quantitative, prospective, before-and-after study performed with 32 older adult patients with diagnosis of hypertension, who were recruited at a Primary Care Unit in Brazil. Results: The main outcome measures were improvement of medication adherence and blood pressure control after intervention with Supermed. Regarding medication adherence, 81.2% of patients were "less adherent" in the pre-intervention period, and 96.9% were "more adherent" in the post-intervention period. This means that 78.1% of patients changed from "less adherent" to "more adherent" after the intervention with Supermed (p<0.001). The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure differences between intervention day and post-intervention were 18.5mmHg (p<0.0001) and 4.3mmHg (p<0.007), respectively, and the differences between mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure between pre-intervention and post-intervention were 21.6mmHg (p<0.001) and 4.7mmHg (p<0.001) respectively. Conclusion: The use of Supermed significantly improved self-reported medication adherence and blood pressure control in a hypertensive older adult population.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar se o uso de um dispositivo organizador de medicamentos eletrônico, mensal, equipado com um despertador, chamado Sistema Eletrônico para Uso Personalizado e Controlado de Medicamentos (Supermed), melhora a adesão à medicação de idosos com hipertensão. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo qualiquantitativo, prospectivo, antes e depois, realizado com 32 pacientes idosos, com diagnóstico de hipertensão, recrutados em uma Unidade Básica de Saúde do Brasil. Resultados: Os principais desfechos foram a melhor adesão à medicação e o controle da pressão arterial após a intervenção com Supermed. Quanto à adesão medicamentosa, 81,2% dos pacientes eram "menos aderentes" no período pré-intervenção, e 96,9% eram "mais aderentes" no período pós-intervenção. Isso significa que 78,1% dos pacientes mudaram de "menos aderentes" para "mais aderentes" após a intervenção com Supermed (p<0,001). As diferenças da pressão arterial sistólica e diastólica média entre o dia da intervenção e pós-intervenção foram 18,5mmHg (p<0,0001) e 4,3mmHg (p<0,007), respectivamente, e as diferenças entre as médias da pressões arteriais sistólica e diastólica entre os períodos pré-intervenção e pós-intervenção foram de 21,6mmHg (p<0,001) e 4,7mmHg (p<0,001), respectivamente. Conclusão: O uso de Supermed melhorou de forma significativa a adesão medicamentosa e o controle da pressão arterial em uma população idosa hipertensa.

Recordatorio a través de múltiples cartas para vacunación contra influenza / Multiple mail reminders to increase adherence to influenza vaccination

INTRODUCCIÓN: Distintas intervenciones han sido propuestas para reforzar el uso de la vacuna contra la influenza. El uso de recordatorios, ya sea a través de cartas, llamadas telefónicas, panfletos o aplicaciones tecnológicas, entre otras, ha destacado dentro de aquellas orientadas a incrementar la adherencia al tratamiento. Sin embargo, su efectividad no está clara. En este resumen, que forma parte de una serie de evaluaciones de recordatorios, se abordará el envío de múltiples recordatorios enviados por correo. MÉTODOS: Realizamos una búsqueda en Epistemonikos, la mayor base de datos de revisiones sistemáticas en salud, la cual es mantenida mediante el cribado de múltiples fuentes de información, incluyendo MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, entre otras. Extrajimos los datos desde las revisiones identificadas, analizamos los datos de los estudios primarios, realizamos un meta-análisis y prepara-mos una tabla de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE. RESULTADOS Y CONCLUSIONES: Identificamos ocho revisiones sistemáticas que en conjunto incluyeron 35 estudios primarios, de los cuales cuatro corresponden a ensayos aleatorizados que analizan el uso de múltiples recordatorios enviados por correo. Concluimos que más de un recordatorio enviado por correo probablemente aumenta la adherencia a vacunación contra influenza en pacientes mayores de 60 años, mien-tras que podría resultar en poca o nula diferencia en menores de 6 años, pero la certeza de la evidencia es baja.

INTRODUCTION: Different interventions have been proposed to reinforce the use of the influenza vaccine. The use of reminders, whether through letters, phone calls, pamphlets or technological applications, among others, has stood out among those aimed at increasing ad-herence to treatment. However, its effectiveness is not clear. In this summary, which is part of a series of reminder evaluations, we assess the use of multiple mail reminders. METHODS: We conducted a search in Epistemonikos, the largest database of systematic health reviews, which is maintained by screening multiple sources of information, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, among others. We extracted the data from the identified reviews, analyzed the data from the primary studies, performed a meta-analysis and prepared a summary table of the results using the GRADE method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We identified eight systematic reviews including 35 primary studies, of which four analyze the use of more than one letter as a reminder. We conclude that the use of multiple mail reminders probably increase adherence to influenza vaccination in patients over 60; while it may make little or no difference in children under 6 years, but the certainty of the evidence is low.

Effect of Comprehensive Reminder System on Health Knowledge, Belief and Behaviors, and Clinical Outcomes for Stroke Patients Six Months after Discharge / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To investigate the effect of Comprehensive Reminder System Based on Health Belief Model (CRS-HBM) on health knowledge, belief, behaviors, utilization of health services and clinical outcomes in stroke patients after discharge. Methods:From February, 2015 to March, 2016, 174 stroke patients with hypertension were divided into control group (n = 87) and intervention group (n = 87). The control group received routine stroke health education, and the intervention group received the CRS-HBM program in addition. They were investigated with Stroke Knowledge Questionnaire (SKQ), Short Form Health Belief Model Scale for Stroke Patients (SF-HBMS-SP), Health Behavior Scale for Stroke Patients (HBS-SP), and the utilization of health services and clinical outcomes (emergency, re-hospitalization, recrudescence and death) were recorded six months after discharge. Results:A total of 75 cases in the control group and 76 in the intervention group finished the research. The total scores of SKQ (U = 903.000), SF-HBMS-SP (t = -9.099) and HBS-SP (t = -7.786) were more in the intervention group than in the control group (P < 0.001). The outpatient re-visit rate was more in the intervention group (97.37%) than in the control group (76.00%) (P < 0.001). The incidence of emergency, re-hospitalization, recrudescence and death were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion:The application of CRS-HBM can improve the health knowledge, belief, behaviors for stroke patients after discharge, but there are not enough effects on clinical outcomes.

Analysis of Efforts to Increase Knowledge, Attitudes, and Adherence of Antiretroviral Consumption in People With HIV/ AIDS, Jepara City, Indonesia

@#Introduction: The need for ARV (Anti Retro Viral) for the population aged 15-49 years increased from 145,706 in 2011 to 248,903 in 2016. People with HIV/AIDS who received ARVs were estimated at 16.60% in 2011 increased to 18% in 2016. In Indonesia up to September 2014, there were 108,060 people with HIV/AIDS who received ARV therapy from 33 provinces and 300 districts / cities. There were 19,670 people with HIV/AIDS who stopped ARV, 15,046 were not followed up due to various causes and as many as 14,547 died. Methods: This research used a quasi-experimental methods with non equivalent control group design and used a pretest, posttest 1 and posttest 2. There was two groups, the first group was treated using SMS (Short Message Service) reminder and leaflets and the second group was treated with the usual method (counselling). Results: Research with the Mann-Whitney statistical test shows that after 1 month of treatment, there was differences in the average score of knowledge (p value = 0.001), attitude (p value = 0.008), and adherence of Antiretroviral Consumption (p value = 0.010) between the intervention group and the control group. After 2 months of treatment, there was differences in the average knowledge score (p value = 0.001), attitude (p value = 0.001), and adherence of Antiretroviral Consume (p value = 0.001) between the intervention group and the control group. Conclusion: There is the interventions that able to improve the knowledge, attitudes and adherence of taking antiretroviral at PLWHA.

Recordatorio enviado por correo postal para aumentar adherencia a vacunación contra influenza / Reminder sent by mail to increase adherence to influenza vaccination

INTRODUCCIÓN Distintas intervenciones han sido propuestas para reforzar el uso de la vacuna contra la influenza. El uso de recordatorios, ya sea a través de cartas, llamadas telefónicas, panfletos o aplicaciones tecnológicas, entre otras, ha destacado dentro de aquellas orientadas a incrementar la adherencia al tratamiento. Sin embargo, su efectividad no está clara. En este resumen, el primero de una serie de evaluación de recordatorios, se abordará el uso de un recordatorio enviado por correo. MÉTODOS Realizamos una búsqueda en Epistemonikos, la mayor base de datos de revisiones sistemáticas en salud, la cual es mantenida mediante el cribado de múltiples fuentes de información, incluyendo MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, entre otras. Extrajimos los datos desde las revisiones identificadas, analizamos los datos de los estudios primarios, realizamos un meta-análisis y preparamos una tabla de resumen de los resultados utilizando el método GRADE. RESULTADOS Y CONCLUSIONES Identificamos ocho revisiones sistemáticas que en conjunto incluyeron 35 estudios primarios, de los cuales, 32 corresponden a ensayos aleatorizados. Concluimos que un recordatorio enviado por correo probablemente aumenta la adherencia a vacunación contra influenza en todos los grupos etarios (población adulta, mayores de 60 años y menores de 18 años).

INTRODUCTION Different interventions have been proposed to improve influenza vaccine coverage. The use of reminders, through letters, phone calls, pamphlets or technological applications, among others, has stood out among the different alternatives to increase adherence to vaccination. However, its effectiveness is not clear. In this summary, the first of a series of evaluation of reminders will address the use of a reminder sent by mail. METHODS We searched in Epistemonikos, the largest database of systematic reviews in health, which is maintained by screening multiple information sources, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, among others. We extracted data from the identified reviews, analyzed the data from the primary studies, performed a meta-analysis and prepared a summary table of the results using the GRADE method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS We identified eight systematic reviews that included 35 primary studies, of which 32 correspond to randomized trials. We concluded that a reminder sent by mail, probably increase adherence to influenza vaccination in all age groups (adult population, over 60 an under 18)

A randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of short message service (SMS) reminders in improving postpartum follow-up among gestational diabetes mellitus patients / Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies

@#<p><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> This study assessed whether short message service (SMS) reminders would improve follow-up rate among gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients by 12 weeks postpartum.</p><p> METHODOLOGY:</b> In this single-center, single-blind randomized controlled trial, we assigned 308 patients with GDM to either of 2 arms, usual care alone versus usual care with SMS reminders. In the usual care group, 154 patients received a 10-minute short lecture on GDM and a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) request prior to discharge. In the SMS group, 154 patients received twice a week SMS reminders at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 10 weeks after delivery in addition to usual care. The primary outcome was clinic visit within 6 to 12 weeks postpartum with a 75 g OGTT result.</p><p><strong>RESULTS:</strong> In our population, the overall follow-up rate was 19.8% (61/308). Follow up rates were 20.1% (31/154) for the usual care group and 19.5% (30/154) for the SMS. The addition of SMS reminders was not associated with an increase in follow-up rate at 12 weeks postpartum (adjusted RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.63-1.52; p=0.932). The use of insulin or metformin for GDM control was associated with increased follow-up (adjusted RR 1.92, 95% CI 1.20-3.07; p=0.006).</p><p> CONCLUSION:</b> SMS reminders did not improve postpartum follow-up rate among GDM patients at 12 weeks postpartum.</p>

Achieving 100 percent compliance to perioperative antibiotic administration: a quality improvement initiative

INTRODUCTION@#Timely administration of prophylactic antibiotics within 60 minutes before surgical incision is important for reducing surgical site infections. This quality improvement initiative aimed to work towards achieving 100% compliance with perioperative antibiotic administration.@*METHODS@#We examined the workflow in our Anaesthesia Information Management System (AIMS) and proposed interventions using cause-and-effect analysis of anonymised anaesthetic records from eligible surgical cases extracted from AIMS. This ultimately led to the implementation of an antibiotic pop-up reminder. The overall process was done in a few small plan-do-study-act cycles involving raising awareness, education and reorganisation of AIMS before implementation of the antibiotic pop-up reminder. Data analysis took place from August 2014 to September 2016. Compliance was defined as documented antibiotic administration within 60 minutes before surgical incision, or as documented reason for omission.@*RESULTS@#The median monthly compliance rate, for 33,038 cases before and 28,315 cases after the reminder was implemented, increased from 67.0% at baseline to 94.5%. This increase was consistent and sustained for a year despite frequent personnel turnover. Documentation of antibiotic administration also improved from 81.7% to 99.3%, allowing us to identify and address novel problems that were initially not apparent, and resulting in several department recommendations. These included administering antibiotics later for cases with predicted longer-than-expected preparation times and bringing forward antibiotic administration in lower-segment Caesarean sections.@*CONCLUSION@#The use of information technology and implementation of an antibiotic pop-up reminder on AIMS streamlined our work processes and brought us closer to achieving 100% on-time compliance with perioperative antibiotic administration.

Effectiveness of text messages, calls and e-mail on adherence to medical appointments. Review of systematic reviews and meta-analysis / Eficacia de los mensajes de texto, llamadas y e-mail en la adherencia a citas médicas. Revisión de revisiones sistemáticas y metaanálisis

Abstract Background: Mobile phones and all other forms of modern communication such as the Internet and instant messaging applications have become tools to improve attendance rates for medical appointments. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of reminders to improve adherence to medical appointments. Methods: An overview of studies comparing the effectiveness and attendance rates for medical appointments between patients that did and did not receive reminders. Also, a meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the overall effect of keeping appointments depending on the age of the patients. Results: Seven reviews were identified which show that Short Message Service (SMS) improves adherence to medicai appointments. However, the meta-analysis showed a relative risk of 1,09 (CI 95%: 1,03 -1,11) for people with ages between 24 - 40 and 1,09 (CI 95% 1,05 - 1,14) for people with ages between 50 - 63, with regard to appointment assistance via SMS. Conclusions: The use of SMS reminders has a positive impact on medical appointment attendance. However, while reviewing the impact by age groups no differences were found.

Resumen Antecedentes: El teléfono móvil y cualquier forma de comunicación moderna como la Internet y las aplicaciones de mensajería instantánea se han convertido en herramientas para mejorar la tasa de asistencia a citas médicas. Objetivos: Evaluar la eficacia de los recordatorios para mejorar la adherencia a citas médicas. Métodos: Análisis de revisiones sistemáticas de estudios que comparan la efectividad y las tasas de asistencia a las citas entre los pacientes que reciben o no reciben recordatorios. Además, se realizó un metaanálisis para calcular el efecto global de la asistencia a citas en función de la edad de los pacientes. Resultados: Se identificaron siete revisiones que muestran que los mensajes de texto corto mejoraron la adherencia a las citas médicas. En el metaanálisis, agrupado por edad, se encontró un Odds Ratio de 1,09 (IC 95 %: 1,03 -1,11) en personas entre 24 - 40 años y de 1,09 (IC 95 %: 1,05 - 1,14) para las personas 50 a 63 años, respecto a la asistencia a citas mediante mensajes de texto corto. Conclusiones: El uso de los recordatorios vía mensajes de texto corto presenta un impacto positivo frente a la asistencia de las citas médicas. Sin embargo, al revisar el impacto por grupos de edad no encontramos diferencias.

Development of a medication reminder and the research on the improvement of medication compliance / 安徽医科大学学报

To develop a medication reminder based on Android platform, which can be used to set up personalized reminders quickly and record the patient' s medication time-stamp and related information. In addition, the effect of using the reminder on medication compliance was studied. 14 subjects participated in the evaluation of medica-tion compliance. The differences of dosage and medication rate between the group using and without using reminder were investigated. The dosage and medication rate were got by the pill counting. The Wilcoxon matched -pairs signed rank test showed that the dosage and the medication rate of the group using reminder were higher than that without using reminder significantly(Z= -2. 93, P =0. 003 ). The results demonstrated that the use of the re-minder can improve the medication dose and rate significantly,indicate that the reminder might be a new technical support for clinical research on medication compliance, and also might reduce the workload for medical staff and patients.

Development and Evaluation of a Smartphone Application for Managing Gestational Diabetes Mellitus / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate an application (app) that provides tailored recommendations based on lifestyle and clinical data entered by the user. METHODS: Knowledge and functions required for the gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) management app were extracted from clinical practice guidelines and evaluated through an online survey. Common and tailored recommendations were developed and evaluated with a content validity index. Algorithms to link tailored recommendations with a patient's data were developed and evaluated by experts. An Android-based app was developed and evaluated by comparing the process of data entry and recommendation retrieval and the usability of the app. After the app was revised, the user acceptance of the app was evaluated. RESULTS: Six domains of knowledge and 14 functions were extracted. Seven common and 49 tailored recommendations were developed. Nine lifestyle and clinical data elements were modeled. Eight algorithms with 18 decision nodes presenting tailored recommendations based on patient's data and 12 user interface screens were developed. All recommendations obtained from the use of app concurred with recommendations derived by algorithms. The average usability score was 69.5 out of 100. The user acceptance score with behavioral intention to use was 5.5, intrinsic motivation 4.3, the perceived ease of use score was 4.6, and the perceived usefulness score was 5.0 out of 7, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The GDM management knowledge and tailored recommendations obtained in this study could be of help in managing GDM.

O padrão etário na dinâmica temporal da dengue no Brasil

Dengue é uma doença viral provocada por quatro sorotipos de arbovírus e transmitida aos seres humanos por mosquitos do gênero Aedes. A dispersão geográfica dos vetores e dos vírus levou a uma reemergência global deste agravo, com destaque para as epidemias e o aparecimento de formas graves nosúltimos anos. Se, por um lado, as recentes publicações revelam baixo impacto nas estratégias de controle vetorial para dengue, por outro lado, houve grande expectativa com o lançamento de vacinas para a prevenção da doença. Em vários países onde a ocorrência de dengue é relevante, a distribuição dos casos por faixa etária não é homogênea, levantando dúvidas sobre quais os fatores interferem na dinâmica da incidência de dengue segundo a idade. Objetivo: Caracterizar o padrão de incidência de dengue e dengue grave ao longo do tempo segundo a faixa etária no período de 2007 a 2012 nas capitais estaduais brasileira.Métodos: Foi realizada a seleção das capitais com maior taxa de incidência entre as séries de dengue edengue grave por faixa etária em cada região do país para prosseguimento da pesquisa, totalizando a análise estatística de 4 capitais, referentes a suas respectivas regiões: Rio Branco (Região Norte), Aracaju(Região Nordeste), Cuiabá (Região Centro-Oeste) e Vitória (Região Sudeste). Seguiu-se a regressão das curvas de incidência de dengue e dengue grave, segundo faixa etária ao longo do tempo, utilizando Modelos Lineares Generalizados com distribuição de probabilidade de Poisson. Resultados e Discussão:Em função da análise exploratória das séries, foram construídos dois modelos de Poisson que incluíram como variáveis dependentes um termo autorregressivo, o grupo etário (<15 e ≥15 anos) e o tempo; no segundo modelo de Poisson, incluiu-se ainda um termo de interação entre o grupo etário e o tempo...

Dengue is a viral disease caused by 4 serotypes of arbovirus and transmitted to humans byAedes mosquitoes. The geographical dispersion of these vectors and viruses has led to a globalresurgence of this disease, with the occurrence of epidemics and the appearance of severe forms in thelast years. Prior studies have shown that vector control can have only limited impact on dengueincidence. We currently have 2 vaccines available to prevent dengue and there is great expectationwith the application of these vaccines on a large scale. In several countries where the incidence ofdengue is relevant, the distribution of cases by age group is not homogeneous, raising questions aboutwhich factors influence the dynamics of dengue incidence according to age. Objective: To characterizethe pattern of the incidence of dengue and severe dengue over time according to age group from 2007to 2012 in the Brazilian state capitals. Methods: Brazilian capitals with highest incidence rate ofdengue and severe dengue by age group in each region of the country were selected for furtherresearch, totaling the statistical analysis of 4 capitals, referring to their respective regions: Rio Branco(North Region), Aracaju (Northeast), Cuiabá (Midwest Region) and Vitória (Southeast). The incidencerate of dengue and severe dengue, according to age over time, were modeled using Generalized LinearModels with Poisson probability distribution. Results and Discussion: Descriptive statistics guided thecreation of two models that included an autoregressive term, age group and time as explanatoryvariables. The second model included also an interaction term of age group and time. In cases ofdengue in Rio Branco, Aracaju and Vitoria, the age group ≥15 years had a incidence rate that wassignificantly higher than that observed among those who were <15 years...