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Short message service (SMS) applications for disease prevention in developing countries.
Carole Déglise1, L Suzanne Suggs, Peter Odermatt
1Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland. cardeglise@yahoo.com
Journal of Medical Internet Research
|January 21, 2012
Summary
Mobile phone text message (SMS) interventions show promise for disease prevention in developing nations. However, few studies evaluate their effectiveness, highlighting a need for more rigorous research on health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Digital Health
- Health Communication
Background:
- Mobile phone adoption has surged in developing countries, connecting millions.
- Short Message Service (SMS) via mobile phones offers novel avenues for disease prevention initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize and assess the outcomes of SMS interventions for disease prevention in developing countries.
- To offer recommendations for future research and implementation of these interventions.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across peer-reviewed and gray literature.
- Included studies were published in English, French, or German before May 2011.
- Focused on SMS applications designed for disease prevention in developing nations.
Main Results:
- 34 SMS applications were identified; only 5 reported evaluation findings.
- Most applications were pilot projects, often from gray literature.
- Interventions varied (one-way/two-way communication, incentives, games); evaluated ones were well-accepted.
- Barriers included language, message timing, network issues, lack of incentives, privacy, and phone turnover.
Conclusions:
- Numerous SMS applications for disease prevention exist, but few have undergone evaluation.
- A lack of peer-reviewed studies and limited evidence underscore the need for high-quality efficacy research.
- Future studies should examine behavioral, social, and economic impacts of mobile health interventions in developing countries.
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