Perception of receiving SMS based health messages among hypertensive individuals in urban slums

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hypertension rates are increasing in India, and prior research has not explored the perception of using mobile based SMS among urban hypertensive individuals living in slum settings in India. OBJECTIVE: To explore the perception of receiving SMS based health messages among hypertensive individuals in urban slums. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted during the period of December 2013 in an urban slum setting of South Delhi, New Delhi, India. Eligible study participants included: 45 individuals aged 30 years and above, with confirmed diagnosis of high blood pressure, owned a mobile phone/landline and were willing to participate. RESULTS: Results of our study showed participants (n = 45) had an average age of 48 years (SD = 12), mostly female (64%, n = 29), and currently married (80%, n = 36). Their most common perceived hypertension risk factors included: worry/anxiety/stress (84%, n = 38), and high fat diet (68%, n = 30). Mobile calls were the most preferred mode of receiving lifestyle counseling among study participants (71%, n = 32). Majority preferred to receive counseling in Hindi language (67%, n = 30), and more than half were willing to pay for these services (60%, n = 27). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest the need for innovations that utilize basic phone platforms, mobile calling feature, and language tailored interventions.

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Technology and Health Care

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