Harnessing technology for adolescent health promotion.
Sexually active adolescents are at risk for unintended pregnancy. Teen pregnancies can be prevented by consistent use of birth control, such as oral contraceptives. However, many teens forget their daily doses and eventually stop using oral contraceptives altogether. Teen pregnancies are more likely to be medically complicated and can adversely impact the teen, her child, and their community. Cell-phone use is becoming widespread, and teen cell-phone users frequently use text messaging. We describe a study in which we use cell-phone text-messaging technology in a novel way: we provide daily oral contraceptive dosing reminders and educational messages and evaluate oral contraceptive continuation at 6 months. We will use the information we obtain to develop specific, practice-based interventions to improve reproductive health programs and policies.
Castaño
Paula M
PM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, 622 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA. pc2137@columbia.edu
Martínez
Raquel Andrés
RA
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services; D000328:Adult; D040421:Cell Phone; D002648:Child; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D009519:New York City; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data