Title
Acceptability of a mobile health based intervention to modify lifestyles in prehypertensive patients in Argentina, Guatemala and Peru: A pilot study
Other title
[Aceptabilidad de una intervención basada en salud móvil para modificar estilos de vida en prehipertensos de Argentina, Guatemala y Perú: Un estudio piloto]
Date Issued
01 January 2015
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Author(s)
Beratarrechea A.
Fernández A.
Kanter R.
Letona P.
Martinez H.
Ramirez-Zea M.
Rubinstein A.
Centro de Excelencia en Salud Cardiovascular para el Cono Sur
CRÓNICAS, Centro de Excelencia en Enfermedades Crónicas
Publisher(s)
Instituto Nacional de Salud
Abstract
Objectives. To evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of an intervention based on mobile health, for the adoption of healthy lifestyles in prehypertensive people living in low-income urban areas in Argentina, Guatemala and Peru. Materials and methods. Prehypertensive people aged 30-60 years were recruited for a pilot study. The intervention included two counseling calls made by a nutritionist followed by a weekly customized text message. An internet-based platform offered support for the implementation of the intervention. Using semi-structured interviews, we evaluated the reach and acceptability of the intervention in the participants and ease of use for the nutritionists. Results. It was possible to contact 43 of the 45 participants (95%). The average number of calls to contact a subject was two, with a range of 1-9 calls. Two participants could not be reached on their cell phone; five did not receive complete exposure to the intervention. Based on semi-structured interviews, the results showed good acceptability for the intervention by the participants. Nutritionists perceived the platform as friendly and easy to use. Barriers to deliver this intervention were related to difficulties in obtaining an adequate cellular signal. Conclusions. Given the high penetration of mobile phones in developing countries, it is concluded that it is feasible and acceptable to offer a mobile health based intervention oriented towards lifestyle modification in people with prehypertension or high risk of chronic disease intervention.
Start page
221
End page
229
Volume
32
Issue
2
Language
Spanish
OCDE Knowledge area
Políticas de salud, Servicios de salud
Sistemas de automatización, Sistemas de control
Subjects
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-84938856527
PubMed ID
Source
Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Publica
ISSN of the container
17264634
Sources of information:
Directorio de Producción Científica
Scopus