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Kobashi Y, Haque SE, Sakisaka K, Amir I, Kaneko M, Mutahara M, Mubassara S, Kashem A, Tsubokura M. Community-based intervention for managing hypertension and diabetes in rural Bangladesh. Trop Med Health 2024; 52:13. [PMID: 38268002 PMCID: PMC10807096 DOI: 10.1186/s41182-023-00574-0] [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: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 80% of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have been reported in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, studies on the usefulness of educational interventions run by non-healthcare workers in combating NCDs in resource-limited areas in rural parts of LMICs are limited. This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of a community-based simple educational program run by non-healthcare trained staff for several outcomes associated with NCDs in a resource-limited area. METHODS Six villages in the Narail district in Bangladesh were selected, two each in the first and second intervention and the control groups, in the Narail district in Bangladesh were selected. Pre- and post-intervention survey data were collected. The first intervention group received the "strong" educational intervention that included a checklist poster on the wall, phone call messages, personalized advice papers, seminar videos, and face-to-face seminars. The second intervention group received a "weak" intervention that included only a checklist poster on the wall in their house. The outcome was the proportion of NCDs and changes in systolic blood pressure and blood sugar level. Confidential fixed-effects logistic regression and multiple linear regression were performed to identify the effectiveness of the intervention. RESULTS Overall, 600 participants completed the baseline survey and the follow-up survey. The mean systolic blood pressure reduced by 7.3 mm Hg (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.6-9.9) in the first intervention group, 1.9 mm Hg (95% CI - 0.5-4.2) in the second intervention group, and 4.7 mm Hg (95% CI 2.4-7.0) in the control group. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the between-group differences in the decline in systolic blood pressure were significant for the first intervention versus control (p = 0.001), but not for the second intervention versus control (p = 0.21). The between-group differences in the reduction in blood glucose after the intervention, were not significant on multiple linear regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS Community-based educational interventions for NCDs provided by non-healthcare staff improved the outcomes of hypertension and risk behaviors. Well-designed community-based educational interventions should be frequently implemented to reduce NCDs in rural areas of low- and middle-income countries. Trial registration UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR; UMIN000050171) retrospectively registered on January 29, 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurie Kobashi
- Department of Radiation Health Management, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima City, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan.
- Global Exchange Center, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima City, Fukushima, Japan.
- Health Equity Research Institute, Abiko City, Chiba, Japan.
| | | | - Kayako Sakisaka
- Faculty of International Liberal Arts, Kaichi International University, Kashiwa-Shi, Chiba, Japan
| | - Isamu Amir
- Department of Radiation Health Management, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima City, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
| | - Megumi Kaneko
- Health Equity Research Institute, Abiko City, Chiba, Japan
| | | | - Sanzida Mubassara
- Department of Botany, Jahangirnagar University, Savar Union, 1342, Bangladesh
| | - Abul Kashem
- Bridge of Community Development Foundation, Narail, Bangladesh
| | - Masaharu Tsubokura
- Department of Radiation Health Management, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima City, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
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Guo SHM, Lin JL, Hsing HC, Lee CC, Chuang SM. The Effect of Mobile eHealth Education to Improve Knowledge, Skills, Self-Care, and Mobile eHealth Literacies Among Patients With Diabetes: Development and Evaluation Study. J Med Internet Res 2023; 25:e42497. [PMID: 38055321 PMCID: PMC10733817 DOI: 10.2196/42497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The promotion of mobile health (mHealth) and eHealth technologies as tools for managing chronic diseases, particularly diabetes mellitus, is on the rise. Nevertheless, individuals with diabetes frequently face a literacy gap that hinders their ability to fully leverage the benefits offered by these resources. Enhancing technology literacy to facilitate the adoption of mobile eHealth services poses a significant challenge in numerous countries. OBJECTIVE This study aims to develop an educational mobile eHealth literacy (eHL) program for patients with diabetes and to evaluate its effect on patients' outcomes. METHODS This study designed a mobile eHL education program comprising 2 modules specifically tailored for individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). These modules focused on guiding participants through the process of effectively navigating reliable health websites and utilizing diabetes-related apps. Using a pre- and posttest experimental design, the study featured an intervention group and a control group. Participants were recruited from 3 outpatient departments in hospitals, and assessments were conducted both before and after the intervention, along with a follow-up measure at the 3-month mark. The evaluation encompassed sociodemographic characteristics, computer and internet proficiency, mobile app usage, mobile eHL, and patient outcomes such as self-care behaviors and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. RESULTS The analysis included a total of 132 eligible participants. Significant differences were observed in the mean scores of knowledge (P<.001) and skills (P<.001) related to computers, the web, and mobile devices at the initiation of the study and after the intervention. During the 3-month follow-up, the findings indicated a significant improvement in mobile eHL (t114=3.391, P=.001) and mHealth literacy (mHL, a subconcept of mobile eHL; t114=3.801, P<.001) within the intervention group, whereas no such improvement was observed in the control group. The chi-square values from the McNemar test underscored that individuals with uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c≥7%) in the intervention group exhibited more improvement compared with the control group. The generalized estimating equations model unveiled a significant difference in the change of general mHL in the intervention group (β=1.91, P=.047) and self-care behavior in the control group from T0 to T2 (β=-8.21, P=.015). Despite being small, the effect sizes for mobile eHL (d=0.49) and HbA1c (d=0.33) in the intervention group were greater than those in the control group (d=0.14 and d=0.16, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The implementation of a mobile eHL education intervention demonstrates a positive influence on the familiarity of patients with T2D regarding health technology, leading to favorable glycemic outcomes. While additional studies are warranted for a more comprehensive understanding, this program emerges as a promising solution for enhancing patients' uptake of digital health technology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jiun-Lu Lin
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chun Hsing
- Department of Nursing, Hsinchu Cathay General Hospital, HsinChu, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Chuan Lee
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Ming Chuang
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Oliveira Hashiguchi L, Cox SE, Edwards T, Castro MC, Khan M, Liverani M. How can tuberculosis services better support patients with a diabetes co-morbidity? A mixed methods study in the Philippines. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:1027. [PMID: 37749519 PMCID: PMC10519082 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-10015-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND People with diabetes mellitus (DM) have an estimated two- to three-times greater risk of adverse tuberculosis (TB) treatment outcomes compared to those without DM. Blood glucose control is a primary aim of managing DM during TB treatment, yet TB programmes are not generally adapted to provide DM services. The purpose of this study was to understand perceptions and the lived experiences of diabetic patients in TB treatment in the Philippines, with a view to informing the development of disease co-management strategies. METHODS This mixed methods study was conducted within a prospective cohort of adults newly-starting treatment for drug-sensitive and drug-resistant TB at 13 public TB clinics in three regions of the Philippines. Within the subset of 189 diabetic persons who self-reported a prior DM diagnosis, or were diagnosed by screenings conducted through the TB clinic, longitudinal blood glucose data were used to ascertain individuals' glycaemic control (controlled or uncontrolled). Univariable logistic regression analyses exploring associations between uncontrolled glycaemia and demographic and clinical factors informed purposive sampling of 31 people to participate in semi-structured interviews. All audio-recorded data were transcribed and thematic analysis performed. RESULTS Participants - both with controlled and uncontrolled blood glucose - were knowledgeable about diabetes and its management. However, a minority of participants were aware of the impact of DM on TB treatment and outcomes. Many participants newly-diagnosed with DM at enrolment in TB treatment had not perceived any diabetic symptoms prior and would have likely not sought clinical consult otherwise. Access to free glucose-lowering medications through TB clinics was a key enabling resource. However, participants expressed fear of side effects and interrupted access to glucose-lowering medications, and a preference for phytotherapy. Many participants felt that physical and financial impacts of TB and its treatment were challenges to DM management. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Results of this study indicate that public TB clinics can provide diabetic patients with additional health care resources and education to address co-morbidity. TB programmes might consider identifying patients with complicated DM, and offering diabetic monitoring and management, as DM and diabetic complications may compound the burden of TB and its treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Oliveira Hashiguchi
- National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, 31 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892-2178, USA.
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London, WC1E 7HT, UK.
- School of Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nagasaki University, 1 Chome-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan.
| | - Sharon E Cox
- School of Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nagasaki University, 1 Chome-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
- Faculty of Epidemiology & Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
- United Kingdom Health Security Agency, 61 Colindale Avenue London NW9 5EQ, Collindale, UK
| | - Tansy Edwards
- School of Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nagasaki University, 1 Chome-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
- MRC International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Mary C Castro
- Nutrition Center Philippines, Muntinlupa City, Manila, Philippines
| | - Mishal Khan
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
- Aga Khan University, National Stadium Road, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan
| | - Marco Liverani
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
- School of Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nagasaki University, 1 Chome-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
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Kruse CS, Mileski M, Heinemann K, Huynh H, Leafblad A, Moreno E. Analyzing the Effectiveness of mHealth to Manage Diabetes Mellitus Among Adults Over 50: A Systematic Literature Review. J Multidiscip Healthc 2023; 16:101-117. [PMID: 36660039 PMCID: PMC9842522 DOI: 10.2147/jmdh.s392693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose A total of 537 million suffered from diabetes mellitus in 2021, and the aging of the population will not abate this number in the future. Diabetes predisposes people to ailments and doubles the risk of COVID-19 mortality. mHealth has shown promise to help manage diabetes. The aim of this review is to objectively analyze research from the last 2.5 years to assess effectiveness where mHealth has been used as an intervention to help manage diabetes in older patients. We also analyzed patient satisfaction, quality, and barriers to adoption of mHealth to manage diabetes. Patients and Methods No human subjects were involved in this review. We queried four research databases for mHealth to manage diabetes in older adults. We conducted the review based on the Kruse Protocol for writing as systematic review and we reported our findings in accordance with PRISMA (2020). Results Thirty research articles from 11 countries were analyzed. Five interventions of mHealth were identified. Of these mHealth Short Message service (SMS) helped change behavior and encouraged self-care. mHealth SMS coupled with telemedicine for coaching showed positive effects on weight loss, BMI, diet, exercise, HbA1C, disease awareness, blood pressure, cholesterol, medication adherence, and foot care. Conclusion mHealth SMS coupled with telemedicine for coaching shows the greatest promise for educating, changing behavior, and realizing positive outcomes across a broad spectrum of health factors. The largest drawback is the cost of acquiring equipment and training users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemens Scott Kruse
- School of Health Administration, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
| | - Michael Mileski
- School of Health Administration, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA,Correspondence: Michael Mileski, Texas State University, School of Health Administration, 601 University Drive, Encino Hall—250, San Marcos, TX, 78666, USA, Tel +1 512 245 3556, Email
| | - Katharine Heinemann
- School of Health Administration, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
| | - Hung Huynh
- School of Health Administration, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
| | - Abigail Leafblad
- School of Health Administration, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
| | - Emmanuel Moreno
- School of Health Administration, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
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Chary AN, Nandi M, Flood D, Tschida S, Wilcox K, Kurschner S, Garcia P, Rohloff P. Qualitative study of pathways to care among adults with diabetes in rural Guatemala. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e056913. [PMID: 36609334 PMCID: PMC9827254 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-056913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The burden of diabetes mellitus is increasing in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Few studies have explored pathways to care among individuals with diabetes in LMICs. This study evaluates care trajectories among adults with diabetes in rural Guatemala. DESIGN A qualitative investigation was conducted as part of a population-based study assessing incidence and risk factors for chronic kidney disease in two rural sites in Guatemala. A random sample of 807 individuals had haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) screening for diabetes in both sites. Based on results from the first 6 months of the population study, semistructured interviews were performed with 29 adults found to have an HbA1c≥6.5% and who reported a previous diagnosis of diabetes. Interviews explored pathways to and experiences of diabetes care. Detailed interview notes were coded using NVivo and used to construct diagrams depicting each participant's pathway to care and use of distinct healthcare sectors. RESULTS Participants experienced fragmented care across multiple health sectors (97%), including government, private and non-governmental sectors. The majority of participants sought care with multiple providers for diabetes (90%), at times simultaneously and at times sequentially, and did not have longitudinal continuity of care with a single provider. Many participants experienced financial burden from out-of-pocket costs associated with diabetes care (66%) despite availability of free government sector care. Participants perceived government diabetes care as low-quality due to resource limitations and poor communication with providers, leading some to seek care in other health sectors. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the fragmented, discontinuous nature of diabetes care in Guatemala across public, private and non-governmental health sectors. Strategies to improve diabetes care access in Guatemala and other LMICs should be multisectorial and occur through strengthened government primary care and innovative private and non-governmental organisation care models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Nandkumar Chary
- Medicine & Emergency Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Center for Research on Indigenous Health, Maya Health Alliance Wuqu' Kawoq, Tecpan, Guatemala
| | - Meghna Nandi
- Center for Research on Indigenous Health, Maya Health Alliance Wuqu' Kawoq, Tecpan, Guatemala
- Family Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David Flood
- Center for Research on Indigenous Health, Maya Health Alliance Wuqu' Kawoq, Tecpan, Guatemala
- Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Scott Tschida
- Center for Research on Indigenous Health, Maya Health Alliance Wuqu' Kawoq, Tecpan, Guatemala
| | - Katharine Wilcox
- Center for Research on Indigenous Health, Maya Health Alliance Wuqu' Kawoq, Tecpan, Guatemala
- Family Medicine, University of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Sophie Kurschner
- Center for Research on Indigenous Health, Maya Health Alliance Wuqu' Kawoq, Tecpan, Guatemala
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Pablo Garcia
- Center for Research on Indigenous Health, Maya Health Alliance Wuqu' Kawoq, Tecpan, Guatemala
- Nephrology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Peter Rohloff
- Center for Research on Indigenous Health, Maya Health Alliance Wuqu' Kawoq, Tecpan, Guatemala
- Global Health Equity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Qama E, Rubinelli S, Diviani N. Factors influencing the integration of self-management in daily life routines in chronic conditions: a scoping review of qualitative evidence. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e066647. [PMID: 36585140 PMCID: PMC9809267 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Self-management of chronic diseases is regarded as dynamic experience which is always evolving and that requires constant adjustment. As unexpected and new shifts in diseases occur, patients tend to abandon acquired behaviours calling into question their sustainability over time. Developing a daily self-management routine as a response to lifestyle changes is considered to facilitate self-management performance. However, fitting self-management recommendations in one's daily life activities is a constant challenge. In this review, we describe the performance of self-management routines within daily settings in people living with chronic conditions with the aim of identifying factors that challenge its integration in daily life. DESIGN Scoping review. DATA SOURCES We searched PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL and PsycINFO on February 2022. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA We included qualitative studies on self-management experience, in English, with adult participants, original and peer-reviewed, and depicting the performance of self-management activities in one's own environment. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts. After agreement, one reviewer screened the full text of relevant articles and extracted the data. The data were synthesised and analysed thematically. PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist was used for reporting the steps. RESULTS Twenty-two studies were included. The thematic analysis brought up two overreaching themes. The first one is the Environment support with three subthemes: family and cultural norms; health professionals and guiding communication; and society and disease perceptions. The second theme is comprehension gap with two subthemes: reading the body and applying information. CONCLUSIONS The integration of self-management requirements in a daily routine is affected by the patients' inability to apply disease knowledge in different context and by the challenge of understanding body symptoms and predicting body reactions in advance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enxhi Qama
- Person-centered Healthcare & Health Communication Group, Swiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil, Switzerland
- University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Sara Rubinelli
- Person-centered Healthcare & Health Communication Group, Swiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil, Switzerland
- University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Nicola Diviani
- Person-centered Healthcare & Health Communication Group, Swiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil, Switzerland
- University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
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Barriers and Supports in eHealth Implementation among People with Chronic Cardiovascular Ailments: Integrative Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19148296. [PMID: 35886149 PMCID: PMC9318125 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
eHealth interventions use information technology to provide attention to patients with chronic cardiovascular conditions, thereby supporting their self-management abilities. OBJECTIVE Identify barriers and aids to the implementation of eHealth interventions in people with chronic cardiovascular conditions from the perspectives of users, health professionals and institutions. METHOD An integrative database review of WoS, Scopus, PubMed and Scielo of publications between 2016 and 2020 reporting eHealth interventions in people with chronic cardiovascular diseases. Keywords used were eHealth and chronic disease. Following inclusion and exclusion criteria application, 14 articles were identified. RESULTS Barriers and aids were identified from the viewpoints of users, health professionals and health institutions. Some notable barriers include users' age and low technological literacy, perceived depersonalization in attention, limitations in technology access and usability, and associated costs. Aids included digital education and support from significant others. CONCLUSIONS eHealth interventions are an alternative with wide potentiality for chronic disease management; however, their implementation must be actively managed.
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Oh SW, Kim KK, Kim SS, Park SK, Park S. Effect of an Integrative Mobile Health Intervention in Patients With Hypertension and Diabetes: Crossover Study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2022; 10:e27192. [PMID: 35014961 PMCID: PMC8790692 DOI: 10.2196/27192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Obesity, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are worldwide epidemics that inflict burdens on both public health and health care costs. Self-management plays an important role in the proper management of these 3 chronic diseases, and in this context, mobile health (mHealth) can be a cost-effective self-management tool. Objective The aim of this pilot study is to evaluate the effects of an integrative mHealth approach for obesity, hypertension, and T2DM on body fat, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels and demonstrate the clinical outcomes. The participants were patients aged 40 to 70 years who were treated for T2DM (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] above 6.0%) without insulin or hypertension and obesity, controlled with pharmacotherapy. Methods This pilot study was performed using a controlled, randomized, 3-month, 2-period crossover design. A total of 37 participants were recruited from 2 university hospitals in South Korea. Integrative mHealth comprised 4 parts: self-measuring home devices for monitoring blood glucose and blood pressure; 2 smartphone apps, where one gathered lifestyle data, giving them feedback with health information, and the other provided drug information and reminders of the medication schedule; unmanned kiosks for official measurement of blood pressure and body composition; and web-based access to participants’ health information. Results Data from the 32 participants were analyzed. Their mean HbA1c level was 7.5% (SD 0.8, ranging from 6.1% to 9.4%). Approximately 38% (12/32) of the participants had hypertension. BMIs of all participants except 1 were >23 kg/m2. The input rates of food intake and exercise to the smartphone app were very low (24.9% and 5.3%, respectively). On the contrary, the input rate of medicine intake was high (84.0%). Moreover, there was no significant difference in the input rate of taking medicine irrespective of whether the mHealth period was before or after the conventional treatment period (80.3% and 87.3%, respectively; P=.06). Among the 3 input functions of food intake, exercise, and medicine intake in smartphone apps, the input of medicine intake was a more helpful, easier to use, and better-designed function than the others. There were no significant differences in changes in body weight (−0.519 kg vs 0 kg), BMI (−0.133 kg/m2 vs −0.167 kg/m2), body composition (body fat −0.255% vs 0.172%), blood pressure (systolic −0.226 mm Hg vs −2.839 mm Hg), and HbA1c (−0.269% vs –0.009%) between the integrative mHealth and conventional treatment groups. However, in proportion to the elevation in the input rate of taking medicine, body fat mass (P=.04) and HbA1c (P=.03) were lower in the integrative mHealth group. Conclusions Although smartphone apps can influence body fat and blood glucose levels, they have failed to show clinical improvement. A higher input rate of taking medicine was related to significantly lower body fat mass and HbA1c levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Woo Oh
- Department of Family Medicine, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung-Kon Kim
- Department of Family Medicine, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Soo Kim
- Department of Family Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Kyung Park
- Department of Family Medicine, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangshin Park
- Graduate School of Urban Public Health & Department of Urban Big Data Convergence, University of Seoul, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Pan J, Yu H, Hu B, Li Q. Urban-Rural Difference in Treatment Adherence of Chinese Hypertensive Patients. Patient Prefer Adherence 2022; 16:2125-2133. [PMID: 35996727 PMCID: PMC9391986 DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s377203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to evaluate the treatment adherence and the main factors associated with adherence for Chinese hypertensive patients between urban and rural areas. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS A total of 529 hypertensive patients with 328 from urban areas and 201 from rural areas hospitalized in a tertiary hospital in Xi'an, China during the period from May 1 to December 31, 2021 were invited to participate in the cross-sectional study. The adherence to treatment was assessed by "modified Chinese Hill-Bone compliance to high blood pressure therapy scale". Binary logistic regression analysis was used to analyze independent risk factor for treatment adherence of hypertensive patients. General linear model was used to analyze the association of the independent risk factors to treatment adherence in each subgroup of the scale. RESULTS The treatment adherence of Chinese hypertensive patients in rural areas was 23.88% and it was significantly lower than that in urban areas (36.59%). Age and gender were the factors that independently associated with treatment adherence of hypertensive patients regardless of urban or rural status. The duration of antihypertensive drugs used was identified to be the factor that independently associated with treatment adherence only in urban patients. The subgroups including reduced sodium intake and medication taking had significant effects on treatment adherence in certain factors. CONCLUSION The treatment adherence of Chinese hypertensive patients was low, especially in rural areas. More emphasis should be placed on patients in rural areas. Furthermore, more attention and effective strategies should be designed to address factors affecting treatment adherence in both urban and rural areas. Health programs should focus on education including the importance of taking continuous antihypertensive drugs and low sodium diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Pan
- Department of Pharmacy, Xi’an People’s Hospital (Xi’an Fourth Hospital), Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Jingjing Pan, Department of Pharmacy, Xi’an People’s Hospital (Xi’an Fourth Hospital), 21 JieFang Road, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 029 61199691 ext 029, Email
| | - Haizhen Yu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xi’an People’s Hospital (Xi’an Fourth Hospital), Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
- Haizhen Yu, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Xi’an People’s Hospital (Xi’an Fourth Hospital), 21 JieFang Road, Xi’an, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 029 61188149 ext 029, Email
| | - Bin Hu
- Department of Pharmacy, Xi’an People’s Hospital (Xi’an Fourth Hospital), Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qiongge Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Xi’an People’s Hospital (Xi’an Fourth Hospital), Xi’an, People’s Republic of China
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McCool J, Dobson R, Whittaker R, Paton C. Mobile Health (mHealth) in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Annu Rev Public Health 2021; 43:525-539. [PMID: 34648368 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-052620-093850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
This article reflects on current trends and proposes new considerations for the future of mobile technologies for health (mHealth). Our focus is predominantly on the value of and concerns with regard to the application of digital health within low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It is in LMICs and marginalized communities that mHealth (within the wider scope of digital health) could be most useful and valuable. Peer-reviewed literature on mHealth in LMICs provides reassurance of this potential, often reflecting on the ubiquity of mobile phones and ever-increasing connectivity globally, reaching remote or otherwise disengaged populations. Efforts to adapt successful programs for LMIC contexts and populations are only just starting to reap rewards. Private-sector investment in mHealth offers value through enhanced capacity and advances in technology as well as the ability to meet increasing consumer demand for real-time, accessible, convenient, and choice-driven health care options. We examine some of the potential considerations associated with a private-sector investment, questioning whether a core of transparency, local ownership, equity, and safety are likely to be upheld in the current environment of health entrepreneurship. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Public Health, Volume 43 is April 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith McCool
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand;
| | - Rosie Dobson
- National Institute for Health Innovation, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Robyn Whittaker
- National Institute for Health Innovation, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,i3 Institute for Innovation and Improvement, Waitemata District Health Board, North Shore Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Chris Paton
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Department of Information Science, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Wu D, An J, Yu P, Lin H, Ma L, Duan H, Deng N. Patterns for Patient Engagement with the Hypertension Management and Effects of Electronic Health Care Provider Follow-up on These Patterns: Cluster Analysis. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e25630. [PMID: 34581680 PMCID: PMC8512186 DOI: 10.2196/25630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hypertension is a long-term medical condition. Electronic and mobile health care services can help patients to self-manage this condition. However, not all management is effective, possibly due to different levels of patient engagement (PE) with health care services. Health care provider follow-up is an intervention to promote PE and blood pressure (BP) control. Objective This study aimed to discover and characterize patterns of PE with a hypertension self-management app, investigate the effects of health care provider follow-up on PE, and identify the follow-up effects on BP in each PE pattern. Methods PE was represented as the number of days that a patient recorded self-measured BP per week. The study period was the first 4 weeks for a patient to engage in the hypertension management service. K-means algorithm was used to group patients by PE. There was compliance follow-up, regular follow-up, and abnormal follow-up in management. The follow-up effect was calculated by the change in PE (CPE) and the change in systolic blood pressure (CSBP, SBP) before and after each follow-up. Chi-square tests and z scores were used to ascertain the distribution of gender, age, education level, SBP, and the number of follow-ups in each cluster. The follow-up effect was identified by analysis of variances. Once a significant effect was detected, Bonferroni multiple comparisons were further conducted to identify the difference between 2 clusters. Results Patients were grouped into 4 clusters according to PE: (1) PE started low and dropped even lower (PELL), (2) PE started high and remained high (PEHH), (3) PE started high and dropped to low (PEHL), and (4) PE started low and rose to high (PELH). Significantly more patients over 60 years old were found in the PEHH cluster (P≤.05). Abnormal follow-up was significantly less frequent (P≤.05) in the PELL cluster. Compliance follow-up and regular follow-up can improve PE. In the clusters of PEHH and PELH, the improvement in PE in the first 3 weeks and the decrease in SBP in all 4 weeks were significant after follow-up. The SBP of the clusters of PELL and PELH decreased more (–6.1 mmHg and –8.4 mmHg) after follow-up in the first week. Conclusions Four distinct PE patterns were identified for patients engaging in the hypertension self-management app. Patients aged over 60 years had higher PE in terms of recording self-measured BP using the app. Once SBP reduced, patients with low PE tended to stop using the app, and a continued decline in PE occurred simultaneously with the increase in SBP. The duration and depth of the effect of health care provider follow-up were more significant in patients with high or increased engagement after follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wu
- College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiye An
- College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ping Yu
- School of Computing and Information Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Hui Lin
- College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li Ma
- General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Huilong Duan
- College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ning Deng
- College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Morris BB, Rossi B, Fuemmeler B. The role of digital health technology in rural cancer care delivery: A systematic review. J Rural Health 2021; 38:493-511. [PMID: 34480506 DOI: 10.1111/jrh.12619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Rural residents face higher cancer incidence rates and mortality rates, disparities that could be mitigated with health technology interventions, yet a digital divide is also apparent. This paper systematically and critically examines existing literature to understand how digital technologies have been used to support rural oncology care. METHODS PubMed, CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO, and Embase were searched using Medical Subject Headings terms and keywords. Studies were eligible if they presented empirical data investigating the use of technology in rural oncology and were published in English in a peer-reviewed journal within the last decade. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess methodological quality. FINDINGS Digital health has been less extensively utilized in rural oncology compared with the general cancer population and other chronic diseases. We identified 54 studies that used technology in rural cancer care delivery, a comparatively small number, representing a significant gap in the literature. Studies were classified into 4 categories: Telemedicine (n = 32), phone calls (n = 11), Internet (n = 9), and mobile phone (n = 2). Of the 54 articles, 12 were RCTs, 17 were quasi-experimental, 3 were descriptive, 12 were mixed methods, and 10 were qualitative. Most of the studies involved patients only (n = 31) and were not specific to a cancer type (n = 41). CONCLUSIONS Further implementation and expansion of telemedicine and phone-based strategies in rural cancer care delivery are warranted. Rural cancer survivors value digital approaches to their care. However, social and behavioral determinants of health and access to technology must be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonny B Morris
- School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Brianna Rossi
- School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Bernard Fuemmeler
- School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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Winberg DR, Lu Y, Chen Y, Shi L. Can health technology assessments assist the global campaign against poverty? GLOBAL HEALTH JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.glohj.2021.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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Rohela P, Olendzki B, McGonigal LJ, Villa A, Gardiner P. A Teaching Kitchen Medical Groups Visit with an eHealth Platform for Hypertension and Cardiac Risk Factors: A Qualitative Feasibility Study. J Altern Complement Med 2021; 27:974-983. [PMID: 34357790 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2021.0148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Our Whole Lives-Hypertension (OWL-H) is an eHealth toolkit for hypertension and cardiac risks factors. It is a hybrid online self-management platform that teaches blood pressure (BP) self-monitoring and evidence-based lifestyle modifications combined with in-person teaching kitchen medical group visit. Qualitative feedback from participants regarding the facilitators and barriers of using OWL-H has been discussed in this article. Methods: The OWL-H platform was pilot tested in a pre-post trial with two cohorts of participants with hypertension (N = 24). The online intervention utilized OWL-H for teaching mindfulness meditation, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension nutrition plan, and evidence-based strategies for lifestyle modifications. Three in-person teaching kitchen medical group visits were held to demonstrate cooking skills to reinforce the online platform. Semi-structured focus group discussions (FGDs) were held after the intervention. Results: Fourteen of the 24 participants in the trial participated in the FGDs, and 1 participant provided feedback in a solo interview. Major themes that emerged included: (1) participants' request to tailor OWL-H's recipes and meal planning to suit their own dietary needs or preferences, to personalize the Home Practices (e.g., meditation) according to individual preferences (e.g., addition of nature sounds or guided visual imagery); (2) the strengths and weaknesses of OWL-H as a BP self-monitoring tool; (3) the need for community support in managing BP; and (4) participants noted lack of time, work and commute, Internet connectivity, stress, and sickness as obstacles in using OWL-H. Participants described feeling outpaced by the growth of technology and raised concerns of poor Internet connectivity hampering their use of OWL-H. Conclusion: OWL-H and the accompanying teaching kitchen medical group visit are potential tools to help reduce hypertension and cardiac risk factors. The intervention was found to have acceptability among people with lower income. Clinical Trials Registration#: NCT03974334.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallavi Rohela
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, and University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Barbara Olendzki
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Lisa J McGonigal
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, and University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ariel Villa
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, and University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Paula Gardiner
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, and University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
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Morrison J, Akter K, Jennings H, Ahmed N, Kumer Shaha S, Kuddus A, Nahar T, King C, Haghparast-Bidgoli H, Khan AKA, Costello A, Azad K, Fottrell E. Learning from a diabetes mHealth intervention in rural Bangladesh: what worked, what did not and what next? Glob Public Health 2021; 17:1299-1313. [PMID: 33966607 PMCID: PMC9487863 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2021.1923776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
There is an urgent need for population-based interventions to slow the growth of the diabetes epidemic in low-and middle-income countries. We tested the effectiveness of a population-based mHealth voice messaging intervention for T2DM prevention and control in rural Bangladesh through a cluster randomised controlled trial. mHealth improved knowledge and awareness about T2DM but there was no detectable effect on T2DM occurrence. We conducted mixed-methods research to understand this result. Exposure to messages was limited by technological faults, high frequency of mobile phone number changes, message fatigue and (mis)perceptions that messages were only for those who had T2DM. Persistent social norms, habits and desires made behaviour change challenging, and participants felt they would be more motivated by group discussions than mHealth messaging alone. Engagement with mHealth messages for T2DM prevention and control can be increased by (1) sending identifiable messages from a trusted source (2) using participatory design of mHealth messages to inform modelling of behaviours and increase relevance to the general population (3) enabling interactive messaging. mHealth messaging is likely to be most successful if implemented as part of a multi-sectoral, multi-component approach to address T2DM and non-communicable disease risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Morrison
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Naveed Ahmed
- Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | - Abdul Kuddus
- Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Tasmin Nahar
- Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Carina King
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - A K Azad Khan
- Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Anthony Costello
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Kishwar Azad
- Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Edward Fottrell
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
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Osei E, Mashamba-Thompson TP. Mobile health applications for disease screening and treatment support in low-and middle-income countries: A narrative review. Heliyon 2021; 7:e06639. [PMID: 33869857 PMCID: PMC8035664 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The advances in mobile technologies and applications are driving the transformation in health services delivery globally. Mobile phone penetration is increasing exponentially in low-and middle-income countries, hence using mobile phones for healthcare services could reach more people in resource-limited settings than the traditional forms of healthcare provision. The review presents recent literature on facilitators and barriers of implementing mHealth for disease screening and treatment support in low-and middle-income countries. We searched for relevant literature from the following electronic databases: MEDLINE; CINAHL with full text via EBSCOhost; Science Direct; PubMed; Google Scholar and Web of Science using the keywords for relevant studies. We searched for published studies from 2015 to August 2020 with no language limitations. A total of 721 articles identified, 125 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. The review demonstrates relevant facilitators for the implementation of mHealth, which includes knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of stakeholders on the use of mHealth and the performance of mHealth for disease diagnosis in low and-middle-income countries. Barriers and challenges hindering the implementation of mHealth applications were also identified. We proposed a framework for improving the implementation of mHealth for disease screening and treatment support in low-and middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest Osei
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Tivani P. Mashamba-Thompson
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Prinshof Campus, Pretoria, South Africa
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Guo SHM, Hsing HC, Lin JL, Lee CC. Relationships Between Mobile eHealth Literacy, Diabetes Self-care, and Glycemic Outcomes in Taiwanese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: Cross-sectional Study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2021; 9:e18404. [PMID: 33544088 PMCID: PMC7895642 DOI: 10.2196/18404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Understanding how people with diabetes seek online health information and use health applications is important to ensure these electronic tools are successfully supporting patient self-care. Furthermore, identifying the relationship between patient mobile eHealth literacy (mobile eHL) and diabetes outcomes can have far-reaching utility, for example, in the design of targeted interventions to address mobile eHL limitations. However, only limited studies have explored the impact of mobile eHL in a population with diabetes. Objective This study aims to present data about online information-seeking behavior and mobile health (mHealth) app usage, investigate the factors related to mobile eHL in Taiwanese patients with type 2 diabetes, and flesh out the relationship between eHealth literacy (eHL), mobile health literacy (mHL), and health outcomes. Methods Subjects were recruited from January 2017 to December 2017 in the outpatient departments of 3 hospitals in Taiwan. A total of 249 Taiwanese patients with diabetes voluntarily completed a cross-sectional survey assessing sociodemographic characteristics; diabetes status; knowledge and skills of computers, the internet, and mobile apps; mobile eHL; and patient outcomes (self-care behaviors, self-rated health, HbA1c). Structural equation modeling analyses examined the model fit of mobile eHL scores and the interrelationships between latent constructs and observable variables. Results Of the 249 patients with diabetes, 67% (164/249) reported they had searched for online diabetes information. The participants with smartphones had owned them for an average of 6.5 years and used them for an average of 4.5 (SD 3.81) hours per day. Only 1.6% (4/249) of the patients used health apps. Some demographic factors affecting mobile eHL included age, education, and duration of type 2 diabetes. Mobile eHL was related to self-care behaviors as well as knowledge and skills of computers, the internet, and mobile technology, but only had a weak, indirect effect on self-rated health. The final model had adequate goodness-of-fit indexes: chi-square (83)=149.572, P<.001; comparative fit index (CFI)=0.925; root mean square of approximation (RMSEA)=0.057 (90% CI 004-006); chi-square/df=1.082. Mobile eHL had a weak, indirect effect on self-rated health through the variables of knowledge with skills. Conclusions Our study reveals that although people with diabetes who rated their health conditions as moderate were confident in using mobile eHealth and technology, few adopted these tools in their daily lives. The study found that mobile eHL had a direct effect on self-care behavior as well as knowledge and skills of computers, the internet, and mobile technology, and had an indirect effect on health outcomes (glycemic control and self-rated health status). Information about this population's experiences and the role mobile eHL plays in them can spur necessary mobile eHealth patient education.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hung-Chun Hsing
- Department of Nursing, Hsinchu Cathay General Hospital, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Jiun-Lu Lin
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Chuan Lee
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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Steinman L, van Pelt M, Hen H, Chhorvann C, Lan CS, Te V, LoGerfo J, Fitzpatrick AL. Can mHealth and eHealth improve management of diabetes and hypertension in a hard-to-reach population? -lessons learned from a process evaluation of digital health to support a peer educator model in Cambodia using the RE-AIM framework. Mhealth 2020; 6:40. [PMID: 33437836 PMCID: PMC7793020 DOI: 10.21037/mhealth-19-249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where NCDs cause 4:5 deaths, disproportionately affect poorer populations, and carry a large economic burden. Digital interventions can improve NCD management for these hard-to-reach populations with inadequate health systems and high cell-phone coverage; however, there is limited research on whether digital health is reaching this potential. We conducted a process evaluation to understand challenges and successes from a digital health intervention trial to support Cambodians living with NCDs in a peer educator (PE) program. METHODS MoPoTsyo, a Cambodian non-governmental organization (NGO), trains people living with diabetes and/or hypertension as PEs to provide self-management education, support, and healthcare linkages for better care management among underserved populations. We partnered with MoPoTsyo and InSTEDD in 2016-2018 to test tailored and targeted mHealth mobile voice messages and eHealth tablets to facilitate NCD management and clinical-community linkages. This cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) engaged 3,948 people and 75 PEs across rural and urban areas. Our mixed methods process evaluation was guided by RE-AIM to understand impact and real-world implications of digital health. Data included patient (20) and PE interviews (6), meeting notes, and administrative datasets. We triangulated and analyzed data using thematic analysis, and descriptive and complier average causal effects statistics (CACE). RESULTS Reach: intervention participants were more urban (66% vs. 44%), had more PE visits (39 vs. 29), and lower uncontrolled hypertension [12% and 7% vs. 23% and 16% uncontrolled systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP)]. Adoption: patients were sent mean [standard deviation (SD)] 30 [14] and received 14 [8] messages; 40% received no messages due to frequent phone number changes. Effectiveness: CACE found clinically but not statistically significant improvements in blood pressure and sugar for mHealth participants who received at least one message vs. no messages. Implementation: main barriers were limited cellular access and that mHealth/eHealth could not solve structural barriers to NCD control faced by people in poverty. Maintenance: had the intervention been universally effective, it could be paid for from additional revolving drug fund revenue, new agreements with mobile networks, or the government. CONCLUSIONS Evidence for digital health to improve NCD outcomes in LMICs are limited. This study suggests digital health alone is insufficient in countries with low resource health systems and that high cell phone coverage did not translate to access. Adding digital health to an NCD peer network may not significantly benefit an already effective program; mHealth may be better for hard-to-reach populations not connected to other supports. As long as mHealth remains an individual-level intervention, it will not address social determinants of health that drive outcomes. Future digital health research and practice to improve NCD management in LMICs requires engaging government, NGOs, and technology providers to work together to address barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lesley Steinman
- Department of Health Services, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Heang Hen
- MoPoTsyo Patient Information Center, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | | | | | - Vannarath Te
- National Institute of Public Health, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - James LoGerfo
- Department of Global Health, Schools of Public Health and Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Annette L. Fitzpatrick
- Department of Global Health, Schools of Public Health and Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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