Exploring the feasibility of using mobile phones to improve the management of clients with cervical cancer precursor lesions

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dc.contributor.authorMoodley, Jenniferen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorConstant, Deborahen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorBotha, Matthys H.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorVan der Merwe, Frederick H.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorEdwards, Amandaen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorMomberg, Marietteen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2019-01-15T13:34:44Z
dc.date.available2019-01-15T13:34:44Z
dc.date.issued2019-01-07
dc.date.updated2019-01-15T11:44:42Z
dc.descriptionCITATION: Moodley, J., et al. 2019. Exploring the feasibility of using mobile phones to improve the management of clients with cervical cancer precursor lesions. BMC Women's Health, 19:2, doi:10.1186/s12905-018-0702-1.
dc.descriptionThe original publication is available at https://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com
dc.description.abstractBackground: Cancer screening programs hold much potential for reducing the cervical cancer disease burden in developing countries. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of mobile health (mHealth) phone technology to improve management and follow-up of clients with cervical cancer precursor lesions. Methods: A sequential mixed methods design was employed for this study. Quantitative data was collected using a cross-sectional survey of 364 women eligible for a Pap smear at public sector health services in Cape Town, South Africa. Information was collected on socio-demographic status; cell phone ownership and patterns of use; knowledge of cervical cancer prevention; and interest in Pap smear results and appointment reminders via SMS-text messages. Descriptive statistics, crude bivariate comparisons and logistic regression models were employed to analyze survey results. Qualitative data was collected through 10 in-depth interviews with primary health care providers and managers involved in cervical cancer screening. Four focus group discussions with 27 women attending a tertiary level colposcopy clinic were also conducted. Themes related to loss of mobile phones, privacy and confidentiality, interest in receiving SMS-text messages, text language and clinic-based management of a SMS system are discussed. Thematic analyses of qualitative data complemented quantitative findings. Results: Phone ownership amongst surveyed women was 98% with phones mostly used for calls and short message service (SMS) functions. Over half (58%) of women reported loss/theft of mobile phones. Overall, there was interest in SMS interventions for receiving Pap smear results and appointment reminders. Reasons for interest, articulated by both providers and clients, included convenience, cost and time-saving benefits and benefits of not taking time off work. However, concerns were expressed around confidentiality of SMS messages, loss/theft of mobile phones, receiving negative results via SMS and accessibility/clarity of language used to convey messages. Responsibility for the management of a clinic-based SMS system was also raised. Conclusions: Results indicated interest and potential for mHealth interventions in improving follow-up and management of clients with abnormal Pap smears. Health system and privacy issues will need to be addressed for mHealth to achieve this potential. Next steps include piloting of specific SMS messages to test feasibility and acceptability in this setting.en_ZA
dc.description.urihttps://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12905-018-0702-1
dc.description.versionPublisher's version
dc.format.extent10 pagesen_ZA
dc.identifier.citationMoodley, J., et al. 2019. Exploring the feasibility of using mobile phones to improve the management of clients with cervical cancer precursor lesions. BMC Women's Health, 19:2, doi:10.1186/s12905-018-0702-1
dc.identifier.issn1472-6874 (online)
dc.identifier.otherdoi:10.1186/s12905-018-0702-1
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/105317
dc.language.isoen_ZAen_ZA
dc.publisherBMC (part of Springer Nature)en_ZA
dc.rights.holderAuthors retain copyrighten_ZA
dc.subjectCervical cancer -- Preventionen_ZA
dc.subjectCell phonesen_ZA
dc.subjectMedical screeningen_ZA
dc.subjectPap testen_ZA
dc.subjectColposcopyen_ZA
dc.subjectWireless communication systems in medical careen_ZA
dc.titleExploring the feasibility of using mobile phones to improve the management of clients with cervical cancer precursor lesionsen_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA
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