OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of implementation of a prevention programme via mobile phone text messaging in enhancing knowledge, attitudes and practice concerning iodine deficiency and iodized salt consumption. DESIGN: In a randomized controlled trial, participants were subjected to a brief tele-educational support regarding iodine deficiency and the importance of iodized salt consumption. The intervention group received daily text messages via mobile phone for 6 weeks. Knowledge, attitude and practice scores, urinary iodine concentration and salt iodine content were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks after the intervention. SETTING:Participants were recruited from health-care centres in Tehran, the capital city of Iran. SUBJECTS: For the present study 205 females aged ≥18 years were randomly assigned to the intervention (n 95) and control (n 110) groups. RESULTS: A significant difference was found in median knowledge scores between the intervention and control groups at follow-up (P = 0.004). There was also a significant difference in median attitude scores between the intervention and control groups (P = 0.02). The intervention group did not differ significantly in median practice score, urinary iodine concentration and salt iodine content from the control group. CONCLUSIONS:Text messaging interventions are effective in improving individuals' knowledge and attitudes regarding preventive health-care topics.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of implementation of a prevention programme via mobile phone text messaging in enhancing knowledge, attitudes and practice concerning iodinedeficiency and iodized salt consumption. DESIGN: In a randomized controlled trial, participants were subjected to a brief tele-educational support regarding iodinedeficiency and the importance of iodized salt consumption. The intervention group received daily text messages via mobile phone for 6 weeks. Knowledge, attitude and practice scores, urinary iodine concentration and salt iodine content were assessed at baseline and 8 weeks after the intervention. SETTING:Participants were recruited from health-care centres in Tehran, the capital city of Iran. SUBJECTS: For the present study 205 females aged ≥18 years were randomly assigned to the intervention (n 95) and control (n 110) groups. RESULTS: A significant difference was found in median knowledge scores between the intervention and control groups at follow-up (P = 0.004). There was also a significant difference in median attitude scores between the intervention and control groups (P = 0.02). The intervention group did not differ significantly in median practice score, urinary iodine concentration and salt iodine content from the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Text messaging interventions are effective in improving individuals' knowledge and attitudes regarding preventive health-care topics.
Authors: Frances H Ampt; Collins Mudogo; Peter Gichangi; Megan S C Lim; Griffins Manguro; Matthew Chersich; Walter Jaoko; Marleen Temmerman; Marilyn Laini; Liz Comrie-Thomson; Mark Stoové; Paul A Agius; Margaret Hellard; Kelly L'Engle; Stanley Luchters Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2017-08-18 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Jason Gilliland; Richard Sadler; Andrew Clark; Colleen O'Connor; Malgorzata Milczarek; Sean Doherty Journal: Biomed Res Int Date: 2015-08-25 Impact factor: 3.411