Objective To estimate the proportion of Chongqing TB patients who have access to mobile phones, to describe the utilization practice of those mobile phones, and to learn the general information of those TB patients, so as to provide feasibility basis for further intervention of SMS reminder systems. Methods The stratified cluster sampling method was used and four TB high-risk districts were selected. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used to interview the TB patients and suspects who had come to their local TB dispensaries during the past two months. The quantitative data was double entered using EpiData 3.1. The association of mobile phone utilization parameters with key variables was determined using chi-square test and logistic regression analyses. The qualitative data was managed, coded and retrieved using MAXQDA, and analyzed using thematic framework approach. Results Of the patients interviewed by quantitative research, the mobile phone ownership rate was 91.1%; 914 cases (80.4%) of the respondents were able to receive text messages; and most people (81%) held favorable opinions on SMS reminders. The main factors related to mobile phone ownerships and receiving SMS were age, occupation, education level, and place of residence. The male patients, in the age group of 19-49 years old, with education level of high school or higher were more likely to have access to mobile phones. The results from qualitative interview were similar. Conclusion Considering the high access to mobile phones of patients interviewed and patients’ views on SMS reminders, it is feasible to conduct a pilot intervention using SMS as a strategy to improve adherence to TB treatment in Chongqing.
Objective To describe the design and application of an emergency response mobile phone-based information system for infectious disease reporting. Methods Software engineering and business modeling were used to design and develope the emergency response mobile phone-based information system for infectious disease reporting. Results Seven days after the initiation of the reporting system, the reporting rate in the earthquake zone reached the level of the same period in 2007, using the mobile phone-based information system. Surveillance of the weekly report on morbidity in the earthquake zone after the initiation of the mobile phone reporting system showed the same trend as the previous three years. Conclusion The emergency response mobile phone-based information system for infectious disease reporting was an effective solution to transmit urgently needed reports and manage communicable disease surveillance information. This assured the consistency of disease surveillance and facilitated sensitive, accurate, and timely disease surveillance. It is an important backup for the internet-based direct reporting system for communicable disease.
Objective To systematically review the effect of mobile phone management applications (APP) on biological and biochemical parameters in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods We electronically searched databases including PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, WanFang Data, CBM, CNKI for randomized controlled trials compared mobile phone APP as interventions for managing T2DM with traditional methods from inception to September 30th 2016. Two researchers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 12.0 software. Results A total of 10 studies including 1 030 participants (563 in the App group and 467 in the traditional group) were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that the mobile phone app-based interventions group were superior to the control group in HbA1c (MD=–0.43, 95% CI –0.65 to –0.22, P<0.001), systolic blood pressure (MD=–2.53, 95% CI –4.89 to –0.17,P<0.05), triglyceride (SMD=–0.24, 95% CI –0.42 to –0.06,P<0.05) and waist circumference (MD=–1.57, 95% CI –2.65 to –0.48,P<0.05). No significant different were found on any other related results between two groups. Conclusion Mobile phone apps aimed at diabetes management can improve HbA1c, systolic blood pressure, triglyceride, and waist circumference for patients with T2DM. Due to the limited quality and quantity of the included studies, the above conclusions are needed more high quality studies to verify.
In order to improve the epilepsy management and treatment of Hebei province, improve the life quality of epilepsy patients. Hebei Association Against Epilepsy start a multicenter-clinical trial about the diagnosis, medicine treatment and effect of epilepsy through mobile phone APP. The data collected by health management APP shows that the diagnosis rate of epilepsy syndrome has enhanced from 21% to 39% within six months; also 80.4% of patients have got seizure-free within the first month of treatment. Therefore, the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy in Hebei province has been improved. However, only 46% of adult patients have been hospitalized within the first 2 years of seizure onset. Therefore, patients need further education about epilepsy in the future. In this trial, the daily management of patients by doctors has come true through the use of mobile phone APP. Through the mobile phone APP, doctors achieved the real-time supervision of disease progress and adjustment of the treatment. This trial provide evidence for future treatment and daily management of epilepsy patients.