Patterns of usage and preferences of users for tuberculosis-related text messages and voice calls in Uganda

• Published in: The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease Vol. 22; no. 5; pp. 530 - 536
• Main Authors: Ggita, J. M., Ojok, C., Meyer, A. J., Farr, K., Shete, P. B., Ochom, E., Turimumahoro, P., Babirye, D., Mark, D., Dowdy, D., Ackerman, S., Armstrong-Hough, M., Nalugwa, T., Ayakaka, I., Moore, D., Haberer, J. E., Cattamanchi, A., Katamba, A., Davis, J. L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: France International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 01.05.2018; International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD)
• Subjects: Adult; Cell Phone; Cell phones; Cellular telephones; Communication; Communications; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health risk assessment; Humans; Information And Communication Technology; Logistic Models; Male; Messages; Mobile Technology; Patient Preference - statistics & numerical data; Patients; Qualitative analysis; Reminder Systems; Rural Population; Short message service; Sms; Surveys and Questionnaires; Telemedicine - methods; Text Messaging; Tuberculosis; Tuberculosis - therapy; Uganda; Ultrasonic testing; Voice communication; Young Adult; Uganda
• ISSN: 1027-3719; 1815-7920
• DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.17.0521

BACKGROUND: Little information exists about mobile phone usage or preferences for tuberculosis (TB) related health communications in Uganda.METHODS: We surveyed household contacts of TB patients in urban Kampala, Uganda, and clinic patients in rural central Uganda. Questions addressed mobile phone access, usage, and preferences for TB-related communications. We collected qualitative data about messaging preferences.RESULTS: We enrolled 145 contacts and 203 clinic attendees. Most contacts (58%) and clinic attendees (75%) owned a mobile phone, while 42% of contacts and 10% of clinic attendees shared one; 94% of contacts and clinic attendees knew how to receive a short messaging service (SMS) message, but only 59% of contacts aged 45 years (vs. 96% of contacts aged <45 years, P = 0.0001) did so. All contacts and 99% of clinic attendees were willing and capable of receiving personal-health communications by SMS. Among contacts, 55% preferred detailed messages disclosing test results, while 45% preferred simple messages requesting a clinic visit to disclose results.CONCLUSIONS: Most urban household TB contacts and rural clinic attendees reported having access to a mobile phone and willingness to receive TB-related personal-health communications by voice call or SMS. However, frequent phone sharing and variable messaging abilities and preferences suggest a need to tailor the design and monitoring of mHealth interventions to target recipients.