1
|
Li Z, Lei Y, Bui Q, DePaul O, Nicol GE, Mohr DC, Lee SI, Fong MWM, Metts CL, Tomazin SE, Wong AWK. A Digital Intervention to Promote Self-Management Self-Efficacy Among Community-Dwelling Individuals With Stroke: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol 2024; 11:e50863. [PMID: 38373029 PMCID: PMC10912984 DOI: 10.2196/50863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digital interventions provided through smartphones or the internet that are guided by a coach have been proposed as promising solutions to support the self-management of chronic conditions. However, digital intervention for poststroke self-management is limited; we developed the interactive Self-Management Augmented by Rehabilitation Technologies (iSMART) intervention to address this gap. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the feasibility and initial effects of the iSMART intervention to improve self-management self-efficacy in people with stroke. METHODS A parallel, 2-arm, nonblinded, randomized controlled trial of 12-week duration was conducted. A total of 24 participants with mild-to-moderate chronic stroke were randomized to receive either the iSMART intervention or a manual of stroke rehabilitation (attention control). iSMART was a coach-guided, technology-supported self-management intervention designed to support people managing chronic conditions and maintaining active participation in daily life after stroke. Feasibility measures included retention and engagement rates in the iSMART group. For both the iSMART intervention and active control groups, we used the Feasibility of Intervention Measure, Acceptability of Intervention Measure, and Intervention Appropriateness Measure to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness, respectively. Health measures included the Participation Strategies Self-Efficacy Scale and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System's Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Conditions. RESULTS The retention rate was 82% (9/11), and the engagement (SMS text message response) rate was 78% for the iSMART group. Mean scores of the Feasibility of Intervention Measure, Acceptability of Intervention Measure, and Intervention Appropriateness Measure were 4.11 (SD 0.61), 4.44 (SD 0.73), and 4.36 (SD 0.70), respectively, which exceeded our benchmark (4 out of 5), suggesting high feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of iSMART. The iSMART group showed moderate-to-large effects in improving self-efficacy in managing emotions (r=0.494), symptoms (r=0.514), daily activities (r=0.593), and treatments and medications (r=0.870), but the control group showed negligible-to-small effects in decreasing self-efficacy in managing emotions (r=0.252), symptoms (r=0.262), daily activities (r=0.136), and treatments and medications (r=0.049). In addition, the iSMART group showed moderate-to-large effects of increasing the use of participation strategies for management in the home (r=0.554), work (r=0.633), community (r=0.673), and communication activities (r=0.476). In contrast, the control group showed small-to-large effects of decreasing the use of participation strategies for management in the home (r=0.567), work (r=0.342, community (r=0.215), and communication activities (r=0.379). CONCLUSIONS Our findings support the idea that iSMART was feasible to improve poststroke self-management self-efficacy. Our results also support using a low-cost solution, such as SMS text messaging, to supplement traditional therapeutic patient education interventions. Further evaluation with a larger sample of participants is still needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov 202004137; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04743037?id=202004137&rank=1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoying Li
- Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Yating Lei
- Department of Occupational Therapy, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Quoc Bui
- Institute for Informatics, Data Science & Biostatistics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Olivia DePaul
- Memorial Hospital Belleville, Belleville, IL, United States
| | - Ginger E Nicol
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - David C Mohr
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Sunghoon I Lee
- Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Mandy W M Fong
- Michigan Avenue Neuropsychologists, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Christopher L Metts
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Stephanie E Tomazin
- Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Alex W K Wong
- Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wong AWK, Fong MWM, Munsell EGS, Metts CL, Lee SI, Nicol GE, DePaul O, Tomazin SE, Kaufman KJ, Mohr DC. Using Intervention Mapping and Behavior Change Techniques to Develop a Digital Intervention for Self-Management in Stroke: Development Study. JMIR Hum Factors 2023; 10:e45099. [PMID: 37486748 PMCID: PMC10407772 DOI: 10.2196/45099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digital therapeutics, such as interventions provided via smartphones or the internet, have been proposed as promising solutions to support self-management in persons with chronic conditions. However, the evidence supporting self-management interventions through technology in stroke is scarce, and the intervention development processes are often not well described, creating challenges in explaining why and how the intervention would work. OBJECTIVE This study describes a specific use case of using intervention mapping (IM) and the taxonomy of behavior change techniques (BCTs) in designing a digital intervention to manage chronic symptoms and support daily life participation in people after stroke. IM is an implementation science framework used to bridge the gap between theories and practice to ensure that the intervention can be implemented in real-world settings. The taxonomy of BCTs consists of a set of active ingredients designed to change self-management behaviors. METHODS We used the first 4 steps of the IM process to develop a technology-supported self-management intervention, interactive Self-Management Augmented by Rehabilitation Technologies (iSMART), adapted from a face-to-face stroke-focused psychoeducation program. Planning group members were involved in adapting the intervention. They also completed 3 implementation measures to assess the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of iSMART. RESULTS In step 1, we completed a needs assessment consisting of assembling a planning group to codevelop the intervention, conducting telephone surveys of people after stroke (n=125) to identify service needs, and performing a systematic review of randomized controlled trials to examine evidence of the effectiveness of digital self-management interventions to improve patient outcomes. We identified activity scheduling, symptom management, stroke prevention, access to care resources, and cognitive enhancement training as key service needs after a stroke. The review suggested that digital self-management interventions, especially those using cognitive behavioral theory, effectively reduce depression, anxiety, and fatigue and enhance self-efficacy in neurological disorders. Step 2 identified key determinants, objectives, and strategies for self-management in iSMART, including knowledge, behavioral regulation, skills, self-efficacy, motivation, negative and positive affect, and social and environmental support. In step 3, we generated the intervention components underpinned by appropriate BCTs. In step 4, we developed iSMART with the planning group members. Especially, iSMART simplified the original psychoeducation program and added 2 new components: SMS text messaging and behavioral coaching, intending to increase the uptake by people after stroke. iSMART was found to be acceptable (mean score 4.63, SD 0.38 out of 5), appropriate (mean score 4.63, SD 0.38 out of 5), and feasible (mean score 4.58, SD 0.34 out of 5). CONCLUSIONS We describe a detailed example of using IM and the taxonomy of BCTs for designing and developing a digital intervention to support people after stroke in managing chronic symptoms and maintaining active participation in daily life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alex W K Wong
- Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Mandy W M Fong
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Elizabeth G S Munsell
- Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, United States
- Center for Education in Health Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Christopher L Metts
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Sunghoon I Lee
- Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Ginger E Nicol
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington Univesity School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Olivia DePaul
- Memorial Hospital Belleville, Barnes-Jewish/Christian HealthCare, Belleville, IL, United States
| | - Stephanie E Tomazin
- Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Katherine J Kaufman
- Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - David C Mohr
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
- Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Nicol G, Jansen M, Haddad R, Ricchio A, Yingling MD, Schweiger JA, Keenoy K, Evanoff BA, Newcomer JW. Use of an Interactive Obesity Treatment Approach in Individuals With Severe Mental Illness: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Proposed Engagement Criteria. JMIR Form Res 2022; 6:e38496. [PMID: 36512399 PMCID: PMC9795399 DOI: 10.2196/38496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Digital and mobile health interventions are increasingly being used to support healthy lifestyle change, including in certain high-risk populations such as those with severe mental illnesses (SMIs). Life expectancy in this population lags 15 years behind counterparts in the general population, primarily due to obesity-related health conditions. OBJECTIVE We tested the feasibility and usability of a 12-week interactive obesity treatment approach (iOTA) to adults with chronic SMIs (depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia spectrum disorder) receiving treatment in community settings. The iOTA incorporates short message service (SMS) text messages to supplement monthly in-person health coaching. METHODS Factors hypothesized to be associated with weight change were illness severity and treatment engagement. Severe psychiatric symptoms were defined as baseline Clinical Global Impression severity score of >5. Criterion engagement was defined as a text messaging response rate >80% during the first 4 weeks of treatment. Disordered eating, assessed with the Loss of Control Over Eating Scores, was also evaluated. Participants provided qualitative data, further informing assessment of intervention feasibility, usability, and acceptability. RESULTS A total of 26 participants were enrolled. The mean age was 48.5 (SD 15.67) years; 40% (10/26) were Black and 60% (15/26) female. Participants with lower symptom severity and adequate engagement demonstrated significantly decreased weight (F1,16=22.54, P<.001). Conversely, high symptom severity and lower text message response rates were associated with trend-level increases in weight (F1,7=4.33, P=.08). Loss-of-control eating was not observed to impact treatment outcome. Participants voiced preference for combination of live health coaching and text messaging, expressing desire for personalized message content. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the feasibility of delivering an adapted iOTA to SMI patients receiving care in community settings and suggest testable criteria for defining sufficient treatment engagement and psychiatric symptom severity, two factors known to impact weight loss outcomes. These important findings suggest specific adaptations may be needed for optimal treatment outcomes in individuals with SMI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ginger Nicol
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Madeline Jansen
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Rita Haddad
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Amanda Ricchio
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Michael D Yingling
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Julia A Schweiger
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Katie Keenoy
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Bradley A Evanoff
- Division of General Medical Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - John W Newcomer
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tabak R, Colvin R, Strickland JR, Dale AM, Kepper M, Ruggeri T, Evanoff B. Impacts of a Workplace-Based Weight-Control Intervention on Objective and Perceived Physical Activity among a Subgroup of Workers. JOURNAL OF HEALTHY EATING AND ACTIVE LIVING 2022; 2:73-87. [PMID: 36381293 PMCID: PMC9648423 DOI: 10.51250/jheal.v2i2.35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Physical activity (PA) has many benefits; however, groups facing barriers to health-promoting behaviors are less likely to be physically active. This may be addressed through workplace interventions. The current study employs objective (accelerometry) and perceived (International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ]) measures of PA among a subset of participants from the "Working for You" study, which tests a multi-level (work group and individual) workplace intervention targeted at workers with low-incomes. Linear mixed and hierarchical logistic regression models are used to determine the intervention's impact on moderate- to vigorous-PA (MVPA) and achieving the PA Guideline for Americans (≥150 minutes MVPA/week), respectively from baseline to 6- and 24-months, relative to a control group. Correlations (Spearman Rho) between perceived and objective PA are assessed. Of the 140 workers (69 control, 71 intervention) in the sub-study, 131 (94%) have valid data at baseline, 88 (63%) at 6-months, and 77 (55%) at 24-months. Changes in MVPA are not significantly different among intervention relative to control participants assessed by accelerometer or IPAQ at 6- or 24-months follow-up. The percent achieving the PA Guideline for Americans does not vary by treatment group by any measure at any time point (e.g., baseline accelerometry: [control: n=37 (57%); intervention: n=35 (53%)]). This study identifies limited agreement (correlation range: 0.04 to 0.42, all p>.05) between perceived and objective measures. Results suggest the intervention did not improve PA among the sub-study participants. Though agreement between objective and perceived MVPA is low, similar conclusions regarding intervention effectiveness are drawn.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Tabak
- Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
| | - Ryan Colvin
- Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
| | | | - Ann Marie Dale
- Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
| | - Maura Kepper
- Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
| | - Tara Ruggeri
- Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
| | - Bradley Evanoff
- Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Nicol GE, Jansen M, Ricchio A, Schweiger JA, Keenoy K, Miller JP, Morrato E, Guo Z, Evanoff B, Newcomer JW. Adaptation of a Mobile Interactive Obesity Treatment Approach for Early Severe Mental Illness: Mixed Methods Implementation and Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol (Preprint). JMIR Res Protoc 2022. [DOI: 10.2196/42114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
|
6
|
Keenoy KE, Lenze EJ, Nicol GE. Going remote: Implementing digital research methods at an academic medical center during COVID-19. J Clin Transl Sci 2021; 5:e189. [PMID: 34812289 PMCID: PMC8593367 DOI: 10.1017/cts.2021.865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 has forced medical research institutions to conduct clinical research remotely. Here, we describe how a university's mHealth Research Core helped facilitate the shift to remote research during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019 (pre-pandemic), we conducted stakeholder interviews and leadership group sessions to identify, create, and implement resources and core functions to support investigator-initiated mHealth research. Between April 2019 and February 2020, we identified four investigator needs: 1) a seminar series on trends in mHealth research, 2) mHealth case consultation services, 3) liaison services with institutional regulatory compliance groups, and 4) online navigation tools for implementation of mHealth methods (e.g., eConsent) and for building partnerships with technology vendors. To date, the mHealth Research Core has held seven seminars, completed 71 case consultations, assisted four COVID-related clinical studies, advised the IRB on shifting to remote research, and widely disseminated eConsent navigation tools. Although pre-pandemic stakeholder and investigator needs led to the creation of the mHealth Research Core, this institutional resource played a critical role in continuing clinical research during the pandemic by assisting investigators in rapidly shifting to remote study methodology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katie E. Keenoy
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- happyMedium | healthyMedium, LLC, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Eric J. Lenze
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ginger E. Nicol
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zamorano AS, Wilson EM, Liu J, Leon A, Kuroki LM, Thaker PH, McCourt CK, Fuh KC, Powell MA, Mutch DG, Evanoff BA, Colditz GA, Hagemann AR. Text-message-based behavioral weight loss for endometrial cancer survivors with obesity: A randomized controlled trial. Gynecol Oncol 2021; 162:770-777. [PMID: 34140179 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2021.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the ability of a personalized text-message-based intervention to increase weight loss among endometrial cancer survivors with obesity. METHODS In this randomized, controlled trial, endometrial cancer survivors with obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) were randomized to a personalized SMS text-message-based weight loss intervention or enhanced usual care. Primary outcome was weight loss at 6 months; secondary outcomes were weight loss at 12 months and changes in psychosocial measures. We also compared clinical characteristics and weight change between trial participants and non-participants. RESULTS Between May 18 and December 31, 2017, 80 endometrial cancer survivors with obesity consented to participate in the randomized trial. There were no differences in clinical characteristics between the two arms. Weight changes were similar in the two arms (P = 0.08). At 6 months, no differences in quality of life, physical activity, or body image were noted. Of 358 eligible patients, 80 became trial participants and 278, non-participants. Trial participants were younger (59.3 vs. 63.4 years, P < 0.001), more likely non-white (P = 0.02), on fewer medications (4 vs. 7, P < 0.001), and had a higher median BMI (38.7 vs. 37.6 kg/m2, P = 0.01) than non-participants. Weight change was similar between participants and non-participants (P = 0.85). At 6 months, similar percentages of participants and non-participants (47.7% vs. 44.4%) had gained weight, and similar percentages (9.2% vs. 11.2%) had lost at least 5% of their body weight. CONCLUSIONS This text-message-based intervention did not increase weight loss among endometrial cancer survivors with obesity, nor did participation in the trial. Other weight management interventions should be promoted to increase weight loss. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03169023.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abigail S Zamorano
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Elise M Wilson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Jingxia Liu
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Andrea Leon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Lindsay M Kuroki
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Premal H Thaker
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Carolyn K McCourt
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Katherine C Fuh
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Matthew A Powell
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - David G Mutch
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Bradley A Evanoff
- Division of General Medical Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Graham A Colditz
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Andrea R Hagemann
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Middleton M, Somerset S, Evans C, Blake H. Test@Work Texts: Mobile Phone Messaging to Increase Awareness of HIV and HIV Testing in UK Construction Employees during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E7819. [PMID: 33114546 PMCID: PMC7672579 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17217819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Background: HIV poses a threat to global health. With effective treatment options available, education and testing strategies are essential in preventing transmission. Text messaging is an effective tool for health promotion and can be used to target higher risk populations. This study reports on the design, delivery and testing of a mobile text messaging SMS intervention for HIV prevention and awareness, aimed at adults in the construction industry and delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Participants were recruited at Test@Work workplace health promotion events (21 sites, n = 464 employees), including health checks with HIV testing. Message development was based on a participatory design and included a focus group (n = 9) and message fidelity testing (n = 291) with assessment of intervention uptake, reach, acceptability, and engagement. Barriers to HIV testing were identified and mapped to the COM-B behavioural model. 23 one-way push SMS messages (19 included short web links) were generated and fidelity tested, then sent via automated SMS to two employee cohorts over a 10-week period during the COVID-19 pandemic. Engagement metrics measured were: opt-outs, SMS delivered/read, number of clicks per web link, four two-way pull messages exploring repeat HIV testing, learning new information, perceived usefulness and behaviour change. Results: 291 people participated (68.3% of eligible attendees). A total of 7726 messages were sent between March and June 2020, with 91.6% successfully delivered (100% read). 12.4% of participants opted out over 10 weeks. Of delivered messages, links were clicked an average of 14.4% times, max 24.1% for HIV related links. The number of clicks on web links declined over time (r = -6.24, p = 0.01). Response rate for two-way pull messages was 13.7% of participants. Since the workplace HIV test offer at recruitment, 21.6% reported having taken a further HIV test. Qualitative replies indicated behavioural influence of messaging on exercise, lifestyle behaviours and intention to HIV test. Conclusions: SMS messaging for HIV prevention and awareness is acceptable to adults in the construction industry, has high uptake, low attrition and good engagement with message content, when delivered during a global pandemic. Data collection methods may need refinement for audience, and effect of COVID-19 on results is yet to be understood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Middleton
- School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK;
| | - Sarah Somerset
- School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2HA, UK; (S.S.); (C.E.)
| | - Catrin Evans
- School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2HA, UK; (S.S.); (C.E.)
| | - Holly Blake
- School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2HA, UK; (S.S.); (C.E.)
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| |
Collapse
|