Text Messages to Promote Secondary Prevention after Acute Coronary Syndrome (IMPACS trial)

Abstract Background Short message service (SMS) to promote healthcare improves the control of cardiovascular risk factors, but there is a lack of evidence in low and middle-income countries, particularly after acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Objective This study aims to evaluate whether the use of SMS increases risk factor control after hospital discharge for ACS. Methods IMPACS is a 2-arm randomized trial with 180 patients hospitalized due to ACS at a tertiary hospital in Brazil. Eligible patients were randomized (1:1) to an SMS intervention (G1) or standard care (G2) upon hospital discharge. The primary endpoint was set to achieve 4 or 5 points in a risk factor control score, consisting of a cluster of 5 modifiable risk factors: LDL-C <70mg/dL, blood pressure (BP) <140/90mmHg, regular exercise (≥5 days/week, 30 minutes/session), nonsmoker status, and body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2] at 6 months. Secondary outcomes were components of the primary outcome plus rehospitalization, cardiovascular death, and death from any cause. Results are designated as significant if p<0.05. Results From randomized patients, 147 were included in the final analysis. Mean age was 58 (51-64) years, 74% males. The primary outcome was achieved by 12 (16.2%) patients in G1 and 15 (20.8%) in G2 (OR=0.73, 95%CI 0.32-1.70, p=0.47). Secondary outcomes were also similar: LDL-C<70 mg/dl (p=0.33), BP<140/90 mmHg (p=0.32), non-smoker (p=0.74), regular exercise (p=0.97), BMI (p=0.71), and rehospitalization (p=0.06). Death from any cause occurred in three participants (2%), including one cardiovascular death in each group. Conclusion SMS intervention did not significantly improve cardiovascular risk factor control when compared to standard care in patients discharged after ACS in Brazil.

Memorization of messages, satisfaction, and feasibility of a nutritional intervention using a mobile text messaging app among adolescents / Memorização de mensagens, satisfação e usabilidade de intervenção nutricional via aplicativo de envio de mensagens entre adolescentes

ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to evaluate the memorization of messages that promote healthy eating, as well as satisfaction and feasibility of a nutritional intervention using a mobile text messaging app aimed at adolescents from public schools in the Federal District, Brazil. Methods The messages sent addressed aspects of healthy eating based on the Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population. A self-reported questionnaire was applied with 94 students to assess the memorization of the messages received during the nutritional intervention, the level of satisfaction with the intervention, whether the messages were read and shared, the frequency of reading, and what was learned from the intervention. The association of memorization with satisfaction and with the frequency of reading the messages was also investigated. Results About 48% of participants reported remembering at least one message; 77.7% showed high ranges of satisfaction; 54.3% always read the messages; 66.0% did not share messages with other people. Most of the students reported positive learning or good impressions about the intervention. An association was found between memorization and satisfaction with the intervention (p=0.002), as well as between reading and memorization (p=0.005). Conclusion Although the memorization of the healthy eating messages sent in the nutritional intervention was less than expected, a great satisfaction and high frequency of reading the messages were reported by adolescents. Future studies should investigate the permanence of the results of long-term nutrition intervention, the main influencers of memorization, and how to improve it.

RESUMO Objetivo Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a memorização de mensagens de promoção de alimentação adequada e saudável, a satisfação e a usabilidade de uma intervenção nutricional via aplicativo direcionada para adolescentes de escolas públicas do Distrito Federal. Métodos As mensagens enviadas abordavam aspectos sobre alimentação adequada e saudável com base no Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira. Foi aplicado um questionário de autopreenchimento a 94 estudantes para avaliar a memorização das mensagens recebidas durante a intervenção nutricional, o nível de satisfação com a intervenção, se as mensagens eram lidas e compartilhadas, a frequência de leitura e quais foram os aprendizados decorrentes da intervenção. Investigou-se ainda a associação entre a memorização, a satisfação e a frequência de leitura das mensagens. Resultados Cerca de 48% dos participantes referiram lembrar de pelo menos uma mensagem da intervenção; 77,7% se mostraram satisfeitos com o estudo; 54,3% sempre liam as mensagens que recebiam e 66% não compartilhava as mensagens com outras pessoas. A maioria relatou aprendizados ou impressões positivas sobre a intervenção. Foi encontrada uma associação entre a memorização das mensagens e a satisfação com o estudo (p=0,002), bem como entre a leitura e a memorização das mensagens (p=0,005). Conclusão Apesar de a memorização das mensagens enviadas na intervenção nutricional ter sido aquém do esperado, foi referida grande satisfação e alta frequência de leitura pelos adolescentes. Futuros estudos devem investigar a permanência dos resultados de intervenções nutricionais a longo prazo, os principais influenciadores da memorização e como melhorá-la.

Educating diabetic patients through an SMS intervention: a randomized controlled trial at a Brazilian public hospital

ABSTRACT Objective: Diabetes mellitus (DM) has a high healthcare system cost worldwide. Educational strategies are important to improve self-care and control this disease. This study aimed to evaluate satisfaction and clinical efficacy of a Short Message Service (SMS) educational intervention in self-care and nutrition at a Brazilian university hospital. Materials and methods: We conducted a trial of educational intervention and assigned eligible patients with DM to either receive weekly educational SMS for 6 months (intervention group [IG]) or no SMS at all (control group). A satisfaction questionnaire was applied before and after the intervention in both groups. Laboratory (fasting glucose, hemoglobin [Hb] A1c, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein) and clinical (blood pressure) data were also collected. Data were analyzed using nonparametric tests with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results: We included 128 patients (64 in each group). Responses to the satisfaction questionnaire with self-care and healthcare professionals from 112 patients revealed an improvement in the perception of receiving information regarding helpful eating habits and in healthy eating behavior and an improvement in satisfaction with their diabetes care in the IG. In the post-intervention period, improved systolic blood pressure and HbA1c levels were observed in the IG as illustrated by delta % (post-intervention minus pre-intervention data divided by pre-intervention data multiplied by 100) reductions of 2.3% and 3.9%, respectively Conclusion: SMS intervention was useful as an educational tool for improving satisfaction and glycemic and blood pressure control of patients with DM observed at a Brazilian university hospital.

Sobre risco, violência e gênero: revisão da produção da saúde sobre o sexting entre jovens / A debate about risk, violence, and gender: a review of health production on sexting among young people

Resumo Trata-se de uma revisão sistemática acerca da produção do campo da saúde sobre o sexting entre 2009 e 2019. Buscou-se analisar a produção científica com relação ao seu contexto de produção (gênero da primeira autoria, ano da publicação e país de realização), tipo de publicação, área do conhecimento, temas e sujeitos abordados e qual concepção apresentam sobre o sexting. Foram analisadas, durante o segundo semestre de 2019, as 147 publicações disponíveis no PubMed, que tinham o sexting como tema central. A busca foi feita pelo termo sexting. Foi realizada análise de estatística descritiva que envolveu um cunho interpretativo, de modo a avaliar a abordagem do risco, da violência e de gênero nessas publicações. A maioria delas tem mulheres como primeiras autoras, foi produzida nos Estados Unidos entre 2017 e 2019 e realizou abordagem quantitativa (aproximadamente 65%). Cerca de metade das produções teve como tema central a prevalência do sexting ou o comportamento de risco entre adolescentes. A grande maioria atribuiu de algum modo ao sexting um comportamento de risco, e do qual se deduz violência (70%). Uma pequena parte das publicações apresentou uma abordagem de gênero (menos de 15%). Ao não distinguir práticas saudáveis de violentas, as produções do campo da saúde têm realizado análises insuficientes do sexting.

Abstract This is a systematic review of the health production on sexting between 2009 and 2019. The scientific production was analyzed regarding its context (gender of the first author, publication year, and country of realization), publication type, knowledge field, themes, subjects addressed, and their conception about sexting. The 147 works on sexting as a central theme retrieved from PubMed were analyzed during the second semester of 2019. The search was done on the term of sexting. A descriptive statistical, interpretive analysis was carried out to assess the approach to risk, violence, and gender in these publications. Most first authors of these publications were female, and most manuscripts were published in the U.S. between 2017 and 2019 and adopted a quantitative approach (approximately 65%). Almost half of the productions' central theme was the prevalence of sexting or risky behavior among adolescents. The vast majority also attributed risky behavior to sexting somehow, from which violence can be inferred (70%). A negligible part of publications employed a gender approach (less than 15%). The health productions have insufficiently analyzed sexting by not distinguishing healthy from violent practices.

Telessaúde, Telemedicina, aplicativos de celular e uso de mensagens de texto/SMS na melhora da alimentação em adultos / Telehealth, Telemedicine, mobile apps and the use of text messages/SMS in improving nutrition in adults

Esta revisão rápida foi comissionada e subsidiada pelo Ministério da Saúde, no âmbito do projeto GEREB-010-FIO-20 e faz parte da Coleção "Rapid response for health promotion". Intervenções baseadas em novas tecnologias têm sido adaptadas com o objetivo de melhorar indicadores individuais de consumo alimentar. Destacam-se neste cenário as atividades realizadas de modo remoto, por meio de teleconsulta, quando profissionais e pacientes interagem simultaneamente por meio de canais de comunicação eletrônicos, via internet e ligações telefônicas, por exemplo. Igualmente, o uso de aplicativos de celular (mHealth) e mensagens de textos têm se consolidado como alternativas no monitoramento e gestão clínica para iniciativas de mudanças comportamentais e melhora em índices antropométricos e de consumo alimentar. Pergunta: Qual é a eficácia/efetividade e a segurança das intervenções oferecidas via telessaúde, telemedicina e de aplicativos de celular e uso de mensagens de texto/SMS para melhora da alimentação em adultos? Métodos: A partir de um protocolo prévio, nove bases eletrônicas da literatura foram consultadas em novembro de 2020, para identificar revisões sistemáticas (RS), publicadas em inglês, português e espanhol, sem restrição quanto ao ano de publicação. A qualidade metodológica das revisões sistemáticas foi avaliada utilizando o instrumento AMSTAR 2. Para executar esta revisão rápida em 13 dias, apenas o processo de triagem de títulos e resumos foi realizado em duplicidade e de forma independente. Resultados: A busca nas bases de dados resultou em 8.249 referências, e após o processo de seleção e elegibilidade 3 revisões sistemáticas foram incluídas para compor esta revisão rápida. Com relação à qualidade metodológica, uma revisão sistemática foi considerada de moderada confiança e duas foram de confiança criticamente baixa. Foram encontrados resultados das intervenções de aplicativos no consumo de frutas e vegetais e de intervenções de mensagens de texto com informações a respeito do consumo alimentar em geral. O aplicativo Vegethon mostrou aumentar o consumo de vegetais em comparação ao acompanhamento para perda de peso. Contudo, mensagens de texto combinadas a curso online de educação nutricional não apresentaram diferenças em relação à realização apenas do curso. Quanto ao consumo alimentar em geral, mensagens de texto associadas a ações presenciais e materiais educativos demonstraram resultados melhores que as ações presenciais realizadas de forma isolada na adesão às recomendações alimentares, tamanho da porção, ingestão de óleo e consumo de carboidratos, mas sem efeito sobre adesão ao regime alimentar recomendado. Conclusão: Esta revisão rápida mostrou efeitos positivos de aplicativos e de mensagens de texto combinados a outras intervenções sobre o consumo de vegetais e alimentação saudável em geral. Entretanto, devese interpretar com cautela os resultados, uma vez que são provenientes de poucos estudos primários com pequenas amostras de participantes

This rapid review was commissioned and subsidized by the Ministry of Health, within the scope of the GEREB-010-FIO-20 project and is part of the "Rapid response for health promotion" Collection. Interventions based on new technologies have been adapted with the aim of improving individual indicators of food consumption. In this scenario, activities carried out remotely, through teleconsultation, when professionals and patients interact simultaneously through electronic communication channels, via the internet and telephone calls, for example, stand out. Likewise, the use of cell phone applications (mHealth) and text messages have been consolidated as alternatives in clinical monitoring and management for behavioral change initiatives and improvement in anthropometric and food consumption indices. Question: What is the efficacy/effectiveness and safety of interventions offered via telehealth, telemedicine and mobile apps and use of text/SMS messages to improve nutrition in adults? Methods: Based on a previous protocol, nine electronic literature databases were consulted in November 2020 to identify systematic reviews (SR), published in English, Portuguese and Spanish, without restriction as to the year of publication. The methodological quality of the systematic reviews was assessed using the AMSTAR 2 instrument. To perform this rapid 13-day review, only the title and abstract screening process was performed in duplicate and independently. Results: The search in the databases resulted in 8,249 references, and after the selection and eligibility process, 3 systematic reviews were included to compose this rapid review. Regarding methodological quality, one systematic review was considered moderately reliable and two were critically low. Results were found from app interventions on fruit and vegetable consumption and text message interventions with information about food consumption in general. The Vegethon app has been shown to increase vegetable consumption compared to tracking for weight loss. However, text messages combined with an online nutritional education course did not show differences in relation to the course alone. Regarding food consumption in general, text messages associated with face-to-face actions and educational materials showed better results than face-to-face actions carried out in isolation in terms of adherence to food recommendations, portion size, oil intake and carbohydrate consumption, but with no effect on adherence to the recommended diet. Conclusion: This rapid review showed positive effects of apps and text messages combined with other interventions on vegetable consumption and healthy eating in general. However, the results should be interpreted with caution, as they come from few primary studies with small sample sizes of participants.

Telessaúde (teleconsulta) aplicativos de celular e uso de mensagens de texto/SMS na atenção a adultos com sobrepeso e obesidade / Telehealth (teleconsultation) mobile apps and the use of text messages/SMS in the care of overweight and obese adults

Esta revisão rápida foi comissionada e subsidiada pelo Ministério da Saúde, no âmbito do projeto GEREB-010-FIO-20 e faz parte da Coleção "Rapid response for health promotion". Pergunta: Qual é a eficácia/efetividade e a segurança das intervenções oferecidas via telessaúde (teleconsulta), aplicativos de celular e uso de mensagens de texto/SMS na atenção a adultos com sobrepeso e obesidade (IMC ≥ 25)? Métodos: A partir de um protocolo prévio, nove bases eletrônicas da literatura foram consultadas em novembro de 2020, para identificar revisões sistemáticas (RS), publicadas em inglês, português e espanhol, sem restrição quanto ao ano de publicação. A qualidade metodológica das revisões sistemáticas foi avaliada utilizando o instrumento AMSTAR 2. Para executar está revisão rápida em 15 dias, apenas o processo de triagem de títulos e resumos foi realizado em duplicidade e de forma independente. Resultados: A busca nas bases de dados resultou em 1.269 estudos e após seleção foram incluídas 14 revisões sistemáticas. Com relação à qualidade metodológica, uma revisão foi categorizada como de confiança alta, cinco apresentaram confiança baixa e oito criticamente baixa. A análise dos estudos trouxe resultados de intervenções individuais e em grupo, com tecnologias únicas e combinadas. As ferramentas usadas variaram entre interações online, mensagens de texto, e-mail, programas, websites, fóruns, chats, aplicativos, telefone e automonitoramento. A maioria de participantes foi composta por mulheres, que receberam intervenções de 4 semanas a 30 meses, e cujos desfechos se referiam a peso, Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC), circunferência da cintura, hábitos alimentares ou de atividade física e proporção de gordura corporal. De modo geral, o uso de diferentes tecnologias proporcionou maior facilidade de acesso aos cuidados em saúde e práticas para melhorar a qualidade de vida. O desfecho mais estudado e que apresenta maior quantidade de resultados favoráveis é a perda de peso, avaliada com relação a intervenções de telessaúde, seguidos por aplicativos de celular, mensagem de texto, websites/computador e tecnologias combinadas. O Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC) resultou em pelo menos um resultado favorável para intervenções por meio de aplicativos de celular, mensagens de texto e tecnologias combinadas, enquanto para a mudança de circunferência da cintura os resultados foram indiferentes aos comparadores. Os estudos voltados para mudança de hábitos alimentares e atividades físicas foram indiferentes ou mais favoráveis a atividade presencial em detrimento do uso de aplicativos. Apenas uma comparação de intervenções analisou o efeito sobre a produção de gordura corporal e obteve bons resultados para programas online e aconselhamento contínuo por telefone celular. Conclusão: A revisão mostrou que intervenções por meio de aplicativos, ferramentas online, mensagens de texto e telessaúde podem ter efeitos positivos para alcançar a redução de peso, IMC e proporção da gordura corporal. Desta forma, vale a pena considerar o uso de tais ferramentas em programas de saúde. No entanto, também é preciso compreender que os resultados aqui apresentados são quase todos provenientes de estudos primários citados nas revisões sistemáticas, e não de metanálises. Além disso, chamamos a atenção para a qualidade metodológica das RS analisadas

This rapid review was commissioned and subsidized by the Ministry of Health, within the scope of the GEREB-010-FIO-20 project and is part of the "Rapid response for health promotion" Collection. Question: What is the efficacy/effectiveness and safety of interventions offered via telehealth (teleconsultation), mobile apps, and use of text messages/SMS in caring for overweight and obese adults (BMI ≥ 25)? Methods: Based on a previous protocol, nine electronic literature databases were consulted in November 2020 to identify systematic reviews (SR), published in English, Portuguese and Spanish, without restriction as to the year of publication. The methodological quality of the systematic reviews was evaluated using the AMSTAR 2 instrument. To perform this rapid review in 15 days, only the process of screening titles and abstracts was carried out in duplicate and independently. Results: The search in the databases resulted in 1,269 studies and, after selection, 14 systematic reviews were included. With regard to methodological quality, one review was categorized as having high confidence, five had low confidence and eight critically low. The analysis of the studies brought results from individual and group interventions, with single and combined technologies. The tools used ranged from online interactions, text messages, email, programs, websites, forums, chats, apps, phone and self-monitoring. Most participants were women, who received interventions from 4 weeks to 30 months, and whose outcomes referred to weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, eating or physical activity habits and body fat proportion. . In general, the use of different technologies provided easier access to health care and practices to improve quality of life. The most studied outcome with the highest number of favorable results is weight loss, evaluated in relation to telehealth interventions, followed by mobile apps, text messaging, websites/computer and combined technologies. The BMI resulted in at least one favorable result for interventions through mobile apps, text messages and combined technologies, while for the change in waist circumference the results were indifferent to the comparators. Studies aimed at changing eating habits and physical activities were indifferent or more favorable to face-to-face activity over the use of apps. Only one comparison of interventions looked at the effect on body fat production and found good results for online programs and ongoing cell phone counseling. Conclusion: The review showed that interventions through apps, online tools, text messages and telehealth can have positive effects in achieving weight reduction, BMI and body fat ratio. Therefore, it is worth considering the use of such tools in health programs. However, it is also necessary to understand that the results presented here are almost all from primary studies cited in systematic reviews, and not from meta-analyses. In addition, we draw attention to the methodological quality of the analyzed SRs.

The influence of text messages and anxiety on pain perception and its impact on orthodontic patients routine

ABSTRACT Objective: This prospective study aimed at assessing the effects of anxiety and a follow-up text message on pain perception after the installation of fixed orthodontic appliances and its impact on the patients' routine. Methods: The sample of this study consisted of 103 orthodontic patients, 40 males and 63 females (mean age 20.5 years), distributed in two groups: G1 (n=51), including control patients that did not receive any post-procedure communication; and G2 (n=52), including patients that received a structured text message. In baseline phase, the patients completed a questionnaire to assess their level of anxiety prior to treatment. Pain was assessed by using 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS) in baseline and ten times prospectively in predetermined time points. VAS was also applied to assess the patient's routine alterations caused by the pain. All data were analyzed using ANOVA, Tukey, Mann-Whitney, t-test, chi-square and Spearman's correlation tests. All statistical tests were performed with significance level of 5%. Results: Low-level and high-level anxiety was observed in 42.7% and 7.8% of the patients, respectively. Statistically significant correlation was observed between anxiety and pain (p< 0.05). Maximum mean pain intensity was detected in the second treatment day (G1=36.9mm and G2=26.2mm) and was significantly higher in G1. Nearly 53% of the patients in G1 reported alterations in the routine (18.8mm), while in G2 the percentage rate reached 28.8% (9.9mm) (p=0.013). Conclusions: Anxious patients report more pain after the installation of orthodontic appliances. Text messages were effective to reduce pain levels and to decrease the negative effects on patients' daily routine.

RESUMO Objetivo: O presente estudo prospectivo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos da ansiedade e de mensagens de texto de acompanhamento na percepção da dor após a instalação de aparelhos ortodônticos fixos e seu impacto na rotina dos pacientes. Métodos: A amostra deste estudo foi composta por 103 pacientes ortodônticos, 40 homens e 63 mulheres (idade média de 20,5 anos), distribuídos em dois grupos: G1 (n = 51), que incluiu pacientes controle, que não receberam comunicação pós-procedimento; e G2 (n = 52), incluindo os pacientes que receberam mensagem de texto estruturada. Na fase inicial, os pacientes responderam a um questionário para avaliar seu nível de ansiedade antes do tratamento. A dor foi avaliada por meio de escala visual analógica (EVA) de 100 mm antes da instalação dos aparelhos e em 10 períodos consecutivos predeterminados. A EVA também foi aplicada para avaliar as alterações de rotina do paciente causadas pela dor. Os resultados foram analisados usando ANOVA, Tukey, Mann-Whitney, teste t, Qui-quadrado e testes de correlação de Spearman. Todos os testes estatísticos foram realizados com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Níveis baixos e altos de ansiedade foram observados em 42,7% e 7,8% dos pacientes, respectivamente. Foi observada correlação estatisticamente significativa entre ansiedade e dor (p< 0,05). A intensidade média máxima da dor foi detectada no segundo dia de tratamento (G1 = 36,9mm e G2 = 26,2mm) e foi significativamente maior no G1. Quase 53% dos pacientes do G1 relataram alterações na rotina (18,8mm), enquanto no G2 o percentual atingiu 28,8% (9,9mm) (p= 0,013). Conclusões: Pacientes ansiosos relatam mais dor após a instalação de aparelhos ortodônticos. As mensagens de texto foram eficazes para reduzir os níveis de dor e diminuir os efeitos negativos na rotina diária dos pacientes.

Impacto das mensagens de texto para redução do absenteísmo às consultas especializadas: um estudo aleatorizado / Impacto de los mensajes de texto para reducir el absentismo en consultas especializadas: un estudio aleatorio / Impact of text messages to reduce absenteeism in specialized consultations: a aleatorized study

O objetivo deste estudo foi testar o impacto de um lembrete por mensagem de texto eletrônica, via WhatsApp®, sobre a taxa de absenteísmo nas consultas de subespecialidades pediátricas. Este estudo aleatorizado foi composto por um grupo controle e um experimental. Os participantes do grupo experimental receberam um aviso por WhatsApp® lembrando a data da consulta. Foram incluídos no estudo todos os usuários agendados (primeira vez e retornos) para consultas de subespecialidades pediátricas. Para as análises foi calculado os percentuais e realizou-se o teste Qui-quadrado de associação. Um total de 998 participantes foram incluídos para análise. A maioria dos participantes era do sexo masculino (59 porcent). A taxa de absenteísmo no grupo experimental foi de 24 porcent e no grupo controle, 25,5 porcent, representando uma diferença de 1,5 porcent (p= 0,580). A taxa de absenteísmo era particularmente mais alta para consultas agendadas na segunda-feira, com 30 porcent (p= 0,009). Globalmente, o uso de lembretes por mensagens de texto em estudos com diferentes populações reduz a taxa de absenteísmo. No entanto, nossas descobertas sugerem que o envio de mensagens de texto via WhatsApp® como lembretes de consulta não é uma ferramenta eficaz na redução do absenteísmo de subespecialidades pediátricas(AU)

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el impacto de un recordatorio a través de un mensaje de texto por WhatsApp® sobre la tasa de absentismo en las consultas de subespecialidades pediátricas. Este estudio aleatorizado fue compuesto por un grupo control y un grupo experimental. Los participantes del grupo experimental recibieron un recordatorio a través de WhatsApp® que rememoraba la fecha de la consulta. Todas las consultas programadas de la subespecialidad pediátrica, tanto las realizadas por primera vez como las siguientes, fueron incluidas en el estudio. Para el análisis fueron calculados los porcentajes mediante la prueba chi-cuadrado. Fueron incluidos 998 participantes en el análisis, de los cuales la mayoría eran hombres (59 por ciento). La tasa de absentismo del grupo experimental fue de 24 por ciento, mientras la del grupo control fue de 25,5 por ciento, lo que representa una diferencia del 1,5 por ciento (p= 0,580). La tasa de absentismo fue del 30 por ciento (p= 0,009), lo que resultó particularmente alta para las consultas programadas para los lunes. Generalmente los estudios que utilizaron mensajes de texto en diferentes poblaciones, como recordatorio, redujeron la tasa de absentismo de las consultas. Sin embargo, nuestros resultados sugieren que enviar mensajes de texto a través del WhatsApp® como recordatorio de consultas médicas no es una herramienta efectiva para reducir el absentismo en las subespecialidades pediátricas(AU)

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of WhatsApp® text messaging reminders on the rate of non-attendance to pediatric specialty consultation. Randomized examination was conducted of a control group and an experimental group. Participants in the experimental group received a WhatsApp® reminder of the appointment date. All the appointments scheduled for the pediatric subspecialty were included, i.e. first-time appointments as well as those following. Data analysis was based on percentage estimation by the chi-square test. A total 998 participants were included in the analysis, most of whom were men (59 percent). The non-attendance rate was 24 percent in the experimental group and 25.5 percent in the control group, for a difference of 1.5 percent (p= 0.580). The non-attendance rate was 30 percent (p= 0.009), particularly high for appointments scheduled for Mondays. In general terms, studies using text messaging as reminders in different populations reduced the rate of non-attendance to consultation. However, our results suggest that sending WhatsApp® text messages as reminders of medical appointments is not an effective tool to reduce non-attendance to pediatric consultation(AU)

La Nomofobia y el comportamiento sexual de los estudiantes de la carrera de Enfermería de la Facultad de Salud y Servicios Sociales de la UNEMI / Nomophobia and sexual behavior of the students of the Nursing career of the Faculty of Health and Social Services of UNEMI

INTRODUCCIÓN: la nomofobia es el miedo irracional de no estar en contacto constante con el teléfono celular. La tecnología ha ocasionado un cambio colosal en la forma de relacionarse socialmente, esta a su vez afecta en el comportamiento sexual de los jóvenes debido a la exposición regular que tienen al internet. El sexting es una de las actividades más frecuentes practicadas por los jóvenes adultos, consiste en enviar fotos o contenido sexual a otro teléfono celular, el problema que se genera al enviar material con este contenido es que se puede viralizar fácilmente en la internet. El Objetivo de la presente investigación fue analizar el nivel de nomofobia y el comportamiento sexual que persiste en los estudiantes de la carrera de Enfermería de la Facultad de Salud y Servicios Sociales de la UNEMI. MATERIAL y METODOS: la investigación fue descriptiva, cuantitativa, de corte transversal. Se obtuvo una muestra de 283 estudiantes de 1ero a 8vo semestre, realizando una encuesta virtual que cuenta con 29 preguntas, estas se dividen en 5 categorías para comprobar el porcentaje de: Síntomas -Adicción, Uso-Social, Rasgos-Frikis, Nomofobia y la Escala total de Adicción. RESULTADOS: el porcentaje general varía dependiendo de las respuestas el 36.15% tiene un grado de adicción bajo y el 26.27% de los estudiantes cuentan con un nivel de adicción media-alta. CONCLUSION: la nomofobia afecta en gran parte a los jóvenes por el uso excesivo que le dan a las Redes Sociales, así como también la utilización de diversas aplicaciones y por llevar una vida sexual activa, estos son los factores que con la tecnología atribuyen a la dependencia al teléfono celular. La prevalencia de estudiantes con nomofobia está presente en 1ero y 2do semestre, ellos cuentan con mayor disponibilidad de tiempo libre.

INTRODUCTION: nomophobia is the irrational fear of not being in constant contact with the cell phone. Technology has caused a colossal change in the way of relating socially, this in turn affects the sexual behavior of young people due to regular exposure to the internet. Sexting is one of the most frequent activities practiced by young adults, it consists of sending photos or sexual content to another cell phone, the problem generated by sending material with this content is that it can be easily viralized on the internet. The objective of the present investigation was to analyze the level of nomophobia and the sexual behavior that persists in the students of the Nursing degree of the Faculty of Health and Social Services of UNEMI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: the research was descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional.A sample of 283 students from 1st to 8th semester was obtained, conducting a virtual survey that has 29 questions, these are divided into 5 categories to check the percentage of: Symptoms -Addition, Use-Social, Traits-Geeks, Nomophobia and Total Addiction Scale. RESULTS: the general percentage varies depending on the answers, 36.15% have a low level of addiction and 26.27% of the students have a medium-high addiction scale. CONCLUSIONS: nomophobia affects young people in large part due to the excessive use they give to Social Networks, as well as the use of various applications and for leading an active sexual life, these are the factors that with technology they attribute to dependence on cell phone. The prevalence of students with nomophobia is present in 1st and 2nd semester, they have greater availability of free time.

Economic and epidemiological evaluation of text message-based interventions in patients with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus / Avaliação econômica e epidemiológica de intervenções baseadas em mensagens de texto em pacientes com o Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana / Evaluación económica y epidemiológica de intervenciones basadas en mensajes de texto en pacientes con el Virus de la Inmunodeficiencia Humana

Objective: to evaluate the cost-effectiveness ratio and the budget impact of sending text messages associated with medical consultations in order to reduce the viral load of patients infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Method: a randomized clinical trial, basis for the development of a dynamic cohort model with Markov states in order to compare medical appointments for adults infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus versus the alternative strategy that associated medical consultations to sending text messages through telephone. Results: 156 adults participated in the study. As for the viral load, it was verified that in the control group there was an increase, in the intervention group A (weekly messages) there was a reduction (p = 0.002) and in group B (biweekly messages) there was no statistically significant difference. Sending text messages would prevent 286,538 new infections by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and 282 deaths in the 20-year period, compared to the standard treatment. The alternative strategy would result in saving R$ 14 billion in treatment costs. Conclusion: weekly sending messages in association with the standard treatment can reduce the circulating viral load due to its effect in decreasing new infections, in addition to reducing health costs.

Objetivo: avaliar a razão custo-efetividade e o impacto orçamentário do envio de mensagens de texto, associadas às consultas médicas, para redução da carga viral de pacientes infectados com o Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana. Método: ensaio clínico randomizado, base para o desenvolvimento de um modelo de coorte dinâmica com estados de Markov a fim de comparar consultas médicas para adultos infectados pelo Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana versus a estratégia alternativa que associou consultas médicas, ao envio de mensagens de texto pelo telefone. Resultados: participaram do estudo 156 adultos. Quanto à carga viral, foi verificado que no grupo controle houve aumento, no grupo intervenção A (mensagens semanais) houve redução (p=0,002) e no grupo B (mensagens quinzenais) não houve diferença estatisticamente significante. O envio de mensagens de texto evitaria 286.538 novas infecções pelo Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana e 282 mortes no período de 20 anos, ao comparar com o tratamento padrão. A estratégia alternativa resultaria em uma economia de R$ 14 bilhões nos custos de tratamento. Conclusão: o envio semanal de mensagens em associação ao tratamento padrão pode reduzir a carga viral circulante por seu efeito na diminuição de novas infeções, além da redução de custos em saúde.

Objetivo: evaluar la relación costo-efectividad y el impacto presupuestario del envío de mensajes de texto, asociados con consultas médicas, para reducir la carga viral de pacientes infectados con el Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana. Método: ensayo clínico aleatorizado, que sirve de base para el desarrollo de un modelo de cohorte dinámico con estados de Markov para comparar consultas médicas para adultos infectados con el Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana versus la estrategia alternativa que consistió en asociar las consultas médicas al envío de mensajes de texto por teléfono móvil. Resultados: 156 adultos participaron en el estudio. En cuanto a la carga viral, se encontró que en el grupo control hubo aumento, en el grupo de intervención A (mensajes semanales) hubo una reducción (p = 0,002) y en el grupo B (mensajes quincenales) no hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas. El envío de mensajes de texto podría evitar 286.538 nuevas infecciones por el Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana y 282 muertes en el período de 20 años, en comparación con el tratamiento estándar. La estrategia alternativa resultaría en un ahorro de R$ 14 mil millones en costos de tratamiento Conclusión: el envío semanal de mensajes de forma complementaria al tratamiento estándar puede reducir la carga viral circulante debido a su efecto en la disminución de nuevas infecciones, además de reducir los costos en materia de salud.

Development and testing of a text messaging (SMS) monitoring software application for acute decompensated heart failure patients / Desenvolvimento e teste de um software de monitoramento de mensagens de texto (SMS) para pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca descompensada / Desarrollo y test de un software de monitoreo de mensajes de texto (SMS) para pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca aguda descompensada

Objective: to develop and test an SMS monitoring software application for patients with acute decompensated heart failure. Method: the waterfall model was used for software development. All expected functionalities were defined, program modules were codified and tests were done so as to ensure good performance by the software application. Ten patients participated in the prototype test. Results: the system sends two types of messages: questions that should be answered by patients and unilateral educational reinforcements. In addition, the system generates alarms in case of no response or according to a flow chart to detect congestion in the patient previously created by the team. Of the 264 SMS texts sent, 247 were answered. The alarm was triggered seven times: three patients woke up with shortness of breath for two consecutive nights, and four patients felt more fatigued for two consecutive days. All patients took the prescribed medications during follow-up. The study nurse guided the patients who generated alarms in the system. Conclusion: the SMS software application was successfully developed and a high response rate and preliminary evidence of improvements in self-management of HF were observed. With this regard, telehealth is a promising alternative in the treatment of chronic diseases

Objetivo: desenvolver e testar um software de monitoramento de SMS para pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca aguda descompensada. Método: o modelo em cascata foi utilizado para o desenvolvimento do software. Todas as funcionalidades do software foram definidas, os módulos do programa foram codificados e os testes foram realizados com o objetivo de assegurar bom desempenho. Dez pacientes participaram do teste do protótipo. Resultados: o sistema envia dois tipos de mensagens: perguntas que devem ser respondidas pelos pacientes e reforços educativos unilaterais. O sistema também aciona alarmes no caso de não haver resposta por parte do paciente ou de acordo com um fluxograma criado pela equipe para detectar congestão nos pacientes. Um total de 267 mensagens foram enviadas, das quais, 247 foram respondidas. O alarme foi ativado sete vezes: três pacientes acordaram com falta de ar por duas noites consecutivas e quatro pacientes se sentiram fatigados por dois dias consecutivos. Todos os pacientes tomaram suas medicações durante o seguimento. A enfermeira do estudo instruiu os pacientes que tiveram alarme. Conclusão: o software SMS foi desenvolvido com sucesso e teve alta taxa de resposta. Também obtivemos evidência preliminar indicando melhor autogestão de IC. Neste sentido, a telessaúde se apresenta como uma alternativa promissora no tratamento de doenças crônicas.

Objetivo: desarrollar y probar un software de monitoreo de SMS para pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca descompensada aguda. Método: el modelo en cascada se utilizó para el desarrollo del software. Se definieron todas las funcionalidades esperadas, se codificaron los módulos del programa y se realizaron pruebas para garantizar un buen rendimiento del software. Diez pacientes participaron en la prueba del prototipo. Resultados: el sistema envía dos tipos de mensajes: preguntas que deben ser respondidas por los pacientes y refuerzos educativos unilaterales. Además, el sistema genera alarmas en caso de no respuesta o de acuerdo con un diagrama de flujo para detectar congestión en el paciente previamente creado por el equipo. De los 264 SMS enviados, 247 fueron respondidos. La alarma se activó siete veces: tres pacientes se despertaron con dificultad para respirar durante dos noches consecutivas y cuatro pacientes se sintieron más fatigados durante dos días consecutivos. Todos los pacientes tomaron los medicamentos recetados durante el seguimiento. La enfermera del estudio orientó a los pacientes que generaron alarma en el sistema. Conclusión: el software de SMS se desarrolló con éxito y se observó una alta tasa de respuesta y evidencia preliminar de mejoras en el autocontrol de la insuficiencia cardíaca. En este sentido, la telesalud parece ser una alternativa prometedora en el tratamiento de enfermedades crónicas.

The effect of different mouth washes and text messages reminder in the oral health of orthodontic patients

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different mouth washes and to study the effect of text message reminder on the oral health status of orthodontic patients treated with fixed appliances. Methods: This study was a clinical trial with pre-test and post-test control group design, conducted on 24 patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment aged 15-30 years. The patients randomly divided into two groups; one received a weekly telephone text massage reminder for the instructions of brushing and rinsing while the second group did not receive any messages. Ortho-plaque index and gingival index were used to evaluate the patient's oral hygiene status. The reading indices after brushing only were regarded as a control, then the patients were instructed to use two mouth washes, one containing sodium fluoride with cetylpyridinium chloride, the second containing chlorhexidine digluconate with cetylpyridinium chloride and Aloe Vera. Each one was used routinely for 4 weeks with the same amount and method. The washout period between the two types mouth washes was 4 weeks with a standardized toothbrush and paste. Results: Ortho-plaque index values decreased over the time between first, second and third visits. However, this index raised up at the fourth visit and again dropdown at the fifth visit. Similar results were detected for gingival index. Also, significant interaction between messages and the assessments was recorded for gingival index with a significant difference between the group of text messages and without text messages group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the combination of sodium fluoride with cetylpyridinium chloride was more potent for plaque control, while chlorhexidine digluconate with cetylpyridinium chloride and Aloe Vera combination showed a better gingival improvement. Moreover, the text messages reminder could enhance, but not replace direct oral hygiene instruction in orthodontic patients

Uso de tecnologías de la información y comunicación por pediatras argentinos / Use of information and communication technologies by argentine pediatricians

Introducción: No existen datos en la Argentina acerca de la adopción de tecnologías de información y comunicación (TIC) por parte de los pediatras. Objetivos: Estimar la prevalencia de uso de historia clínica electrónica (HCE) y de mensajería electrónica. Describir percepción de ventajas y desventajas. Población y métodos: Estudio observacional, exploratorio, descriptivo y transversal. Se envió una encuesta autoadministrada al padrón de socios de la Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría entre julio y septiembre de 2017. Resultados: De 14.604 socios, se recibieron 3468 respuestas (el 23,7 %); 2680 fueron completas (el 18,4 %). El porcentaje de uso de HCE fue del 44 %. Se destacaron ventajas: acceso a la información (el 23,2 %), agilización del trabajo (el 20,1 %), resguardo seguro de información (el 14,3 %), disponibilidad (el 11,9 %), cálculo de percentiles (el 11,1 %) y realización de estadísticas (el 9,2 %). Las desventajas percibidas fueron cuestiones técnicas (el 32 %), temor a pérdida de información (el 20 %), dudas sobre cuestiones legales (el 15,8 %). El 49,8 % consideró implementar el uso de HCE en el próximo año.El 76,9 % usaba aplicaciones para recibir consultas de sus pacientes. El WhatsApp (el 46,6 %) fue la plataforma más utilizada. El 74 % consideraba que las consultas no presenciales deberían ser remuneradas. Conclusión: El 44 % de los pediatras que respondieron utilizaba HCE. El 49,8 % consideró implementar algún sistema de HCE durante el año siguiente al estudio. La mensajería electrónica era ampliamente utilizada (el 76,9 %) en todos los rangos etarios.

Introduction: There are not data in Argentina about the percentages of use of Information and Communication Technologies by pediatricians yet. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of the use of Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Electronic Messaging. To describe the perception of advantages and disadvantages. Population and methods: Observational, exploratory, descriptive and transversal study. Five submissions of a self-administered survey were made to the list of partners of the Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría between July and September of 2017. Results: Of 14,604 partners, 3468 responses were received (23.7 %); 2680 were complete (18.4 %). The overall percentage of use of EHR was 44 %. There were advantages: access to information (23.2 %), streamlining work (20.1 %), secure information backup (14.3 %) and availability (11.9 %), calculation of percentiles (11.1 %) and statistics (9.2 %). The perceived disadvantages: technical issues (32 %), fear of information loss (20 %), doubts about legal issues (15.8 %). The use of EHR was going to be implemented by 49.8 % of respondents in the next year. Applications to receive consultations from their patients were used by 76.9 % of pediatricians. WhatsApp (46.6 %) was the most integrated platform. It was considered by 74 % that non face to face consultations should be remunerated. Conclusion: EHR was used by 44 % of pediatricians who responded. And 49.8 % were considering the implementation of some EHR system during the next year. Electronic messaging was widespread (76.9 %) in all age ranges.

Instant messaging application for the care of people living with HIV/aids / Aplicación de mensajes instantáneos en el cuidado a las personas que viven con VIH/sida / Aplicativo de mensagens instantâneas no cuidado às pessoas vivendo com HIV/aids

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess a specific instant messaging application as a tool of care for people living with HIV/aids, based on analysis of the interactions between nurse and patients. Method: Descriptive, quantitative study with 102 patients from two outpatient infectious disease clinics of Fortaleza, Ceará. During four months, participants received a message every 15 days, totaling eight messages, regarding: adherence to antiretroviral therapy; physical activity; social support; self-esteem; anxiety/depression; eating habits; alcohol and drugs; and sexuality. Results: There were 816 interactions, especially for dialogs about performing physical activity (27.87%), sharing of signs and symptoms (18.03%), report of engagement with treatment (9.84%) and requests of information on the intake of medicine (9.84%). Most participants showed satisfaction with the follow-up, with willingness to continue receiving messages (90.58%). Conclusion: The use of this application is a viable strategy to improve care for people with HIV by promoting instant communication.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar la aplicación de mensajes instantáneos como herramienta de cuidado a las personas que viven con VIH/sida, a partir del análisis de las interacciones entre enfermero y pacientes. Método: Estudio descriptivo, cuantitativo con 102 pacientes de dos ambulatorios de infectología de Fortaleza (Ceará, Brasil). Durante cuatro meses, los participantes recibieron un mensaje cada 15 días, resultando en ocho mensajes, acerca de: adhesión a la terapia antirretroviral; actividad física; apoyo social; autoestima; ansiedad/depresión; hábitos alimentarios; alcohol y drogas; y sexualidad. Resultados: Se realizaron 816 interacciones, con destaque para los diálogos sobre la realización de actividad física (27,87%), compartimiento de señales y síntomas (18,03%), relato de compromiso con el tratamiento (9,84%) y solicitud de información acerca de la toma de medicamentos (9,84%). La mayoría de los participantes demostró satisfacción en cuanto al seguimiento, y manifestó el deseo de seguir recibiendo mensajes (90,58%). Conclusión: El uso de esta aplicación es una estrategia viable para incrementar el cuidado a las personas con VIH, por promover la comunicación instantánea.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o aplicativo de mensagens instantâneas como ferramenta de cuidado às pessoas vivendo com HIV/aids, a partir da análise das interações entre enfermeiro e pacientes. Método: Estudo descritivo, quantitativo com 102 pacientes de dois ambulatórios de infectologia de Fortaleza, Ceará. Durante quatro meses, os participantes receberam uma mensagem a cada 15 dias, totalizando oito mensagens, sobre: adesão à terapia antirretroviral; atividade física; apoio social; autoestima; ansiedade/depressão; hábitos alimentares; álcool e drogas; e sexualidade. Resultados: Houve 816 interações, com destaque para os diálogos sobre realização de atividade física (27,87%), compartilhamento de sinais e sintomas (18,03%), relato de engajamento com o tratamento (9,84%) e requisição de informações sobre tomada de medicamentos (9,84%). A maioria dos participantes demonstrou satisfação com o acompanhamento, com desejo de continuar recebendo as mensagens (90,58%). Conclusão: O uso desse aplicativo é uma estratégia viável para incrementar o cuidado às pessoas com HIV, por promover comunicação instantânea.

Short Message Service (SMS) e promoção do autocuidado em DM2: revisão integrativa / Short Message Service (SMS) y promoción del autocuidado en DM2: revisión integradora / Short Message Service (SMS) and self-care promotion in type 2 DM: an integrative review

Resumo Objetivo: Sintetizar e analisar as evidências disponíveis na literatura científica sobre os efeitos do uso de Short Message Service (SMS) na promoção do autocuidado em diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Métodos: Foi desenvolvida uma revisão integrativa da literatura, no período de 2007 a 2017, utilizando para a busca dos estudos as seguintes bases de dados: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, Base de dados de enfermagem, Campus Virtual de Saúde Pública, Coleção Nacional das Fontes de Informação do Sistema Único de Saúde, Coordenadoria Regional de Saúde Sul, Índice Bibliográfico Español en Ciencias de la Salud (iBECS), Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde e PubMed. Para isso, utilizou-se descritores como: mensagem de texto, autocuidado, educação em saúde, promoção em saúde e diabetes mellitus, bem como os respectivos descritores em inglês e espanhol, e os Medical Subject Headings associados. Foi identificada uma amostra inicial de 739 artigos, dos quais 23 foram classificados como elegíveis para compor a amostra final. Resultados: Em geral, os trabalhos reportaram resultados positivos. Dentre estes, destacam-se: melhora significativa dos níveis de hemoglobina glicada, maior adesão aos medicamentos, melhora das práticas de autocuidado, aumento do conhecimento acerca do diabetes e melhor cuidado com os pés. Conclusão: Evidências científicas na literatura mostram que o uso de SMS como estratégia metodológica pode favorecer a melhora das práticas de autocuidado em diabetes tipo 2.

Resumen Objetivo: Sintetizar y analizar las pruebas disponibles en la literatura científica sobre los efectos del uso de Short Message Service (SMS) para la promoción del autocuidado en diabetes mellitus tipo 2. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión integradora de la literatura del período de 2007 a 2017 y se utilizaron las siguientes bases de datos para la búsqueda de los estudios: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Library Scopus, Web of Science, Base de datos de enfermería, Campus Virtual de Saúde Pública, Coleção Nacional das Fontes de Informação do Sistema Único de Saúde, Coordenadoria Regional de Saúde Sui, Índice Bibliográfico Español en Ciencias de la Salud (IBECS), Literatura latinoamericana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud y PubMed. Para ello, se utilizaron descriptores como: mensaje de texto, autocuidado, educación en salud, promoción de la salud y diabetes mellitus, así como los respectivos descriptores en inglés y español, y los Medical Subject Headings asociados. Fue identificada una muestra inicial de 739 artículos, de los cuales 23 fueron clasificados como elegibles para formar parte de la muestra final. Resultados: En general, los trabajaos aportaron resultados positivos. Entre ellos pueden destacarse: mejora significativa de los niveles de hemoglobina glicosilada, mayor adhesión a los medicamentos, mejora de las prácticas de autocuidado, aumento del conocimiento sobre la diabetes y mejor cuidado de los pies. Conclusión: Evidencias científicas en la literatura demuestran que el uso de SMS como estrategia metodológica puede favorecer la mejora de las prácticas de autocuidado en diabetes tipo 2.

Abstract Objective: To synthesize and analyze the available evidence in the scientific literature on use effects of Short Message Service (SMS) in self-care promotion in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: An integrative review of the literature was developed between 2007 and 2017, using the following databases to search for the studies: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Web of Science, Nursing database, Virtual Campus of Public Health, Coleção Nacional das Fontes de Informação do Sistema Único de Saúde (freely translated as Collection of Information Sources of the Brazilian Unified Health System), Regional Health Coordination South, Índice Bibliográfico Español en Ciencias de la Salud (IBECS), Latin American & Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences and PubMed. Descriptors such as text message, self-care, health education, health promotion and diabetes mellitus, as well as their descriptors in English and Spanish, and the associated Medical Subject Headings, were used. An initial sample of 739 articles was identified, of which 23 were classified as eligible to compose the final sample. Results: In general, the work reported positive results. Among these, the following stand out: significant improvement in glycosylated hemoglobin levels, greater compliance with medications, improved self-care practices, increased knowledge about DM and better foot care. Conclusion: Scientific evidence in the literature shows that the use of SMS as a methodological strategy may favor the improvement of self-care practices in type 2 DM.

Mobile Text Messaging Interventions for Smoking Cessation: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: Smoking is one of the most serious health problems worldwide. The aim of this systematic review was to demonstrate the effect of text messaging-based interventions on smoking cessation.METHODS: Electronic databases were searched using specific key terms. The inclusion criteria were (1) articles that employed a randomized controlled trial and (2) articles that examined the effect of text messaging interventions on smoking cessation. However, studies employing multimedia messaging service and smartphone apps were excluded.RESULTS: In total, six randomized controlled trial studies with seven interventions were included in this systematic review. Of these six studies, almost all concluded that text-messaging interventions had no significant effect on smoking cessation. However, one study conducted in England revealed that text messaging intervention groups had a higher rate of six-month prolonged abstinence from smoking than did the control group.CONCLUSION: Text messaging interventions could be effective for those who want to quit smoking. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of using text messaging interventions for smoking cessation. However, there were only six studies that employed randomized controlled trials to determine such effectiveness. More studies on the effect of text messaging interventions for smoking cessation using subjects from various age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds are needed in the future.

Why do some Korean parents hesitate to vaccinate their children? / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: Vaccinations for infectious diseases are opposed despite their achievement, and this opposition has recently been revealed in Korea. However, research in Korea has not been vigorous. The authors studied why some Korean parents hesitate to vaccinate their children by applying the health belief model.METHODS: Parents who hesitate to vaccinate and parents who do not were surveyed in alternative education preschools and elementary schools. They were classified into four types of hesitancy and statistically compared.RESULTS: Among the 129 subjects, 43 vaccinated without hesitancy, 20 vaccinated on time with hesitancy, 32 vaccinated with a deliberate delay of one month or longer, and 34 did not vaccinate. Vaccination increased with an increase in the awareness that severe outcomes can occur when unvaccinated. Concerns about adverse reactions from vaccinations or direct/indirect experiences affected refusal. Furthermore, perceptions of the lack of meaningfulness of vaccinations, distrust of policy and safety management, influence of leaders or activists in joined organizations, and experts of Korean traditional or alternative medicine affected refusal. Explanations by doctors, text messages and mails from institutions, and concerns about disadvantages caused by not complying with government policies increased vaccination.CONCLUSIONS: The reasons for vaccine hesitancy and acceptance were similar to the results of international research. Health authorities and professionals should communicate sufficiently and appropriately with hesitant parents and find ways to rationally resolve social conflicts. However, this sample was small and there is little Korean research, so more in-depth and diverse researchs are needed.

Effectiveness of a Workplace Walking Program Using a Fitness Tracker Including Individual Counseling and Tailored Text Messaging

PURPOSE: This study is designed as a non-equivalent, control group pre/post-test for identifying effectiveness of a workplace walking program using a fitness tracker including individual counseling and tailored text messaging. METHODS: Seventy-nine employees from two large companies were allocated into an intervention group (n=39) and a control group (n=40). Participants were asked to wear a fitness tracker (Fitbit Charger HR) during 24-hour, 5-days per week, for 10 weeks. The intervention group was provided with daily walking steps measured by Fitbit, weekly counseling with a specifically designed workbook, and seven weekly text messaging, and the control group with the fitness tracker only. RESULTS: At the week 10 measurement, there were significant differences between the intervention and control groups in physical activity self-efficacy (p<.001), physical activity behavior (p<.001), daily walking steps (p<.001), systolic blood pressure (p=.033), and wellness (p<.001). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the workplace walking program using a fitness tracker including individual counseling and tailored text messaging is more effective for persons with 10,000 steps/day. Therefore, it is recommended to actively apply this workplace walking program to inactive employees for encouraging regular physical activities and improving their wellness.

Impact of Short Message Service (SMS) and Social Media on Sexual Intercourse of High School Students in Cambodia

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between short message service and social media use, and sexual intercourse of high school students in Cambodia. METHODS: Four hundred and eighty-three high school students from three schools in rural provinces were interviewed with structured questionnaires. RESULTS: Sexual intercourse was found significantly more frequent among male students than among female students (p=.001), among alcohol drinkers than among non-drinkers (p<.001), among those who were not taking pictures with mobile phones than among those who were (p=.045), and among those who were exchanging SMS between boyfriend and girlfriend than among those who were not (p=.006). The students who were sending SMS by mobile phones were 5.83 times as likely to have sexual intercourse as their counterparts (p=.020), who were taking pictures with mobile phone were 0.04 times as likely as those who were not (p=.045) and the odds ratio was 15.19 times as high in alcohol drinkers as in non-drinkers (p=.001). CONCLUSIONS: Efforts should be made to encourage positive and effective use of social media among adolescents to maintain their sexual health.

Why do some Korean parents hesitate to vaccinate their children? / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: Vaccinations for infectious diseases are opposed despite their achievement, and this opposition has recently been revealed in Korea. However, research in Korea has not been vigorous. The authors studied why some Korean parents hesitate to vaccinate their children by applying the health belief model. METHODS: Parents who hesitate to vaccinate and parents who do not were surveyed in alternative education preschools and elementary schools. They were classified into four types of hesitancy and statistically compared. RESULTS: Among the 129 subjects, 43 vaccinated without hesitancy, 20 vaccinated on time with hesitancy, 32 vaccinated with a deliberate delay of one month or longer, and 34 did not vaccinate. Vaccination increased with an increase in the awareness that severe outcomes can occur when unvaccinated. Concerns about adverse reactions from vaccinations or direct/indirect experiences affected refusal. Furthermore, perceptions of the lack of meaningfulness of vaccinations, distrust of policy and safety management, influence of leaders or activists in joined organizations, and experts of Korean traditional or alternative medicine affected refusal. Explanations by doctors, text messages and mails from institutions, and concerns about disadvantages caused by not complying with government policies increased vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: The reasons for vaccine hesitancy and acceptance were similar to the results of international research. Health authorities and professionals should communicate sufficiently and appropriately with hesitant parents and find ways to rationally resolve social conflicts. However, this sample was small and there is little Korean research, so more in-depth and diverse researchs are needed.